Glen Powell arrived at the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards on January 11, 2026, nursing fresh football injuries sustained while shooting the second season of his Hulu comedy Chad Powers.
At a Glance
- Powell, 37, was “in a little bit of pain” after taking hits during filming the previous day
- He is nominated for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Series – Musical or Comedy
- Season 2 will escalate both the football action and the chaos surrounding his character, Russ Holliday
- Why it matters: Fans can expect more intense on-field sequences and a darker storyline when the new episodes drop
The actor made the reveal while speaking with Variety on the Golden Globes red-carpet pre-show, explaining that the series’ physical demands had caught up with him.
“I took some hits yesterday,” Powell admitted. “If I’m walking a little weird, it’s because I’m in a little bit of pain.”
Returning to the Field
Powell portrays a washed-up football star who disguises himself to reclaim championship glory with a struggling college team. To keep the action authentic, he performs the majority of the on-field sequences himself.
“We’re leveling up on the football, we’re leveling up on every part of the fish,” he teased of the upcoming episodes. “I’m just really excited about what this season has in store.”
Season 1 ended on what Powell described as “sort of a darker note,” a tone that will carry into the new installment. “It’s really the chaos that Russ Holliday is bringing on the world. It’s all coming crashing down in the best way,” he said.
Commitment to Authenticity
Ahead of Chad Powers‘ debut, Powell told News Of Losangeles that “all the football is legitimate” on screen.
“I mean, I’m facing off. I’m squaring up with guys who played pro ball. I mean, these are real,” he emphasized.
Among his on-screen opponents was a 6-foot-7, 350-pound athlete. Recalling those scenes, Powell joked, “That is the biggest thing that’s ever run at me at this speed.”
The high-impact approach kept him in game shape. “You get to start learning how to be pretty fast, and you definitely burn some calories that way. But it was all practical football; I wasn’t hitting the gym or anything.”
From Viral Video to Series
The Hulu comedy takes inspiration from a 2002 Eli’s Places clip in which former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning went undercover at Penn State football walk-on tryouts. Both Eli and his brother Peyton Manning serve as executive producers on Powell’s series.
For Powell-who says he has “always liked playing pretend”-the show combines two passions.
“We’re getting to be in a world that I love, which is college football, and we’re getting to collaborate with your pals and make something really fun that I think the world’s going to love,” he told News Of Losangeles.
Awards Recognition
Powell’s performance in Season 1 earned him a nomination for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Series – Musical or Comedy at the 2026 Golden Globes. The awards ceremony took place at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles and aired live on CBS, with streaming available on Paramount+.
Key Takeaways
- Filming for Chad Powers Season 2 is underway with heightened football action
- Powell performs his own stunts, resulting in real bruises and a visible limp on the red carpet
- The new season will explore the fallout from the darker ending of Season 1
- Executive producers Eli and Peyton Manning continue their involvement from the original viral video concept
