The cast of Hulu's Chad Powers season 2 recently participated in a "What Would XD?" game to celebrate the show's premiere. Actors including Glen Powell and Steve Zahn discussed the elaborate disguises and prosthetic work central to the series' plot involving a disgraced quarterback.
Russ Holliday’s prosthetic-driven path to football redemption
The series, which is now streaming on Hulu, follows the complicated double life of Russ Holliday. As the character attempts to reclaim his football career through a series of deceptions, the show explores the thin line between persona and reality. This narrative structure places the physical transformation of the actor at the very center of the storytelling, making the prosthetics more than just a gag—they are a primary plot engine.
As ScreenRant reported, the second season dives deeper into the web of deception that Holliday spins, a situation that eventually expands beyond his control. This high-concept approach to character-driven comedy mirrors a growing trend in streaming content where physical transformation is used to explore the psychological complexities of identity and reinvention.
Glen Powell’s coffee-shop tests for Witness Protection realism
During the promotional game, Glen Powell discussed the ease of playing characters with multiple identities, noting his experience with disguises in films like Hit Man. when presented with a scenario involving Witness Protection, Powell joked that the concept of living under a new identity was essentially "my life!"
The commitment to the character's deception extends even beyond the film set. According to the report , Powell has been known to test out potential Chad Powers disguises and accents in public settings, such as ordering coffee, to ensure the costumes remain believable. However, not all of these experiments were met with laughter; co-star Steve Zahn recalled a specific "witch" disguise that Powell wore which was so unsettling that Zahn described it as "scary" rather than adorable.
Quentin Plair’s Sebastian the Ibis answer to the Mrs. Doubtfire dilemma
The cast also tackled more absurd social scenarios, including a "Mrs. Doubtfire" style challenge. Quentin Plair, who portrays Coach Byro, was asked how he would use a disguise to remain part of his children's lives.
While Plair initially considered the trope of a male nanny, he ultimately rejected the idea. Instead, he suggested a much more unconventional route, stating he would dress up as "Sebastian the Ibis." This choice highlights the zany, improvisational energy the cast brings to the series' comedic tone.
The rejected prosthetic renders and teeth of the Chad Powers design
While the finished product is now available to viewers, the production process involved significant trial and error. Powell revealed that the design team went through numerous iterations to perfect the look of Chad Powers, including various prosthetic renders and dental pieces that were ultimately discarded.
Several questions remain regarding the full extent of the show's visual evolution. The report does not specify why certain prosthetic designs or teeth were rejected, leaving the exact aesthetic journey of the character a mystery . Additionally, while the cast's improvisational answers provided much humor, the specific connection between the character Sebastian the Ibis and the practicalities of the "Mrs. Doubtfire" scenario remains an unverified comedic leap.
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