Glen Powell Shares the ‘Chad Powers’ Scene That Made Him Most Nervous

Glen Powell has recently established himself with charming performances in blockbuster hits like ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and ‘Twisters,’ as well as leading roles in ‘Hit Man’ and ‘Anyone But You.’ His easygoing presence has made him one of Hollywood’s most likable leading men, often appearing unfazed in front of the camera.

However, his current project requires a different level of vulnerability. ‘Chad Powers,’ the Hulu comedy co-created by Powell and Michael Waldron, follows disgraced football star Russ Holliday as he disguises himself to return to the field under a fake identity, seeking redemption after a public collapse that derailed his once-promising career.

Season two delves into more emotionally complex territory, and one particular scene left Powell feeling more anxious than any other challenge the physically demanding show has presented. In the season finale, Chad and Coach Ricky, portrayed by Perry Mattfeld, finally share a kiss after weeks of building tension between their characters.

Powell confessed that this moment was the one he felt most nervous about filming throughout the season. He explained that because he and Mattfeld are such close friends off-screen, this scene made him more anxious than anything else, telling PEOPLE it was truly the most nervous he’s been on set.

Mattfeld also shared her perspective on what gives the moment its emotional weight. She noted that the scene carries significant meaning for both characters, especially since Ricky is about to accept a coaching job elsewhere, making the timing of the kiss crucial as it signifies their transition away from a coach-player dynamic.

This layered emotional context adds real stakes to a season Powell described as much more intense than the show’s first run. He emphasized that the stakes are higher this time around, calling season two a genuinely intense stretch of television for his character.

Much of that intensity arises from Russ’s unraveling secret identity. Season one concluded with his double life as Chad being exposed to Ricky, and season two finds him increasingly trapped as the walls close in around the elaborate ruse he constructed to reclaim his football glory.

‘Chad Powers’ draws its inspiration from a viral 2022 segment featuring Eli Manning, who went undercover at Penn State’s walk-on tryouts disguised with a prosthetic mask and mustache under the same fictional name. Manning serves as an executive producer for the Hulu series alongside his brother, Peyton Manning, and even makes a cameo appearance in the show.

The series has generated buzz throughout its production, with Powell previously hinting at increased physical demands for season two, including more football action that has reportedly left him with real bumps and bruises along the way. This physical commitment, combined with the emotional weight of Chad and Ricky’s storyline, indicates that season two is asking considerably more of its star than the first season did.

With the season finale now bringing years of slow-burn tension to a climax, fans finally have confirmation of how Chad and Ricky’s relationship evolves, even if the moment was filled with nerves for the actor portraying it. Whatever lies ahead for Russ Holliday’s double identity, this kiss is poised to be one of the season’s most discussed moments.

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