Glen Powell is drawing a familiar comparison for fans of television romance. In a recent interview, the Chad Powers star compared the slow-burn relationship between his character and Perry Mattfeld’s character to one of television’s most iconic couples: Ross and Rachel from Friends.
For Powell, the comparison is about more than just romantic tension — it’s about the art of storytelling. “You don’t want to give it up too early,” Powell told PEOPLE of the buildup between his character, Russ/Chad, and Mattfeld’s Ricky. “[Because then] where do you go?” The comment came as Season 2 of the Hulu series finally delivered the long-awaited romantic payoff that had been building since the show’s debut.
Glen Powell Says the ‘Chad Powers’ Romance Is Like Ross and Rachel
The Chad Powers romance between Russ Holliday (Powell) and Ricky Hudson (Mattfeld) has been a slow burn from the start. In Season 1, Russ — a disgraced former college football star hiding behind the Chad Powers disguise — developed a complicated connection with Ricky, his coach’s daughter and assistant coach. By the Season 1 finale, Ricky learned Russ’s true identity.
In Season 2, the tension finally boiled over. In the finale’s final minutes, Russ and Ricky shared their first kiss after a two-season buildup — only for Ricky’s father, Coach Hudson (Steve Zahn), to walk in on them before the screen cut to black.
Powell compared the delayed payoff to the Ross-Rachel dynamic from Friends, the legendary sitcom relationship that kept viewers waiting through multiple seasons of will-they-won’t-they tension. “It’s an interesting thing about where you create the most mess — in a good way, for you — storytelling-wise,” Powell explained. “Is it earlier? Is it later?”
Why Ross and Rachel Are Such an Important Comparison
Ross Geller and Rachel Green’s relationship on Friends became one of television’s most famous slow-burn romances. From their initial will-they-won’t-they dynamic to their “we were on a break” argument to their eventual reunion in the series finale, their relationship kept viewers invested for the show’s entire 10-season run.
The comparison to Friends suggests that Powell and the show’s writers are thinking strategically about romantic storytelling. By delaying the Russ and Ricky kiss, they created a narrative tension that mirrors the Ross-Rachel dynamic — a relationship where the audience is invested not just in whether the characters end up together, but in the journey itself.
The Slow-Burn Romance Behind ‘Chad Powers’
Powell revealed that the kiss wasn’t always planned for the finale. According to Mattfeld, “It was originally written earlier in the season.” The decision to move it to the finale came from a storytelling conversation about where the moment would have the greatest impact.
“You don’t want to give it up too early,” Powell said, explaining that resolving the romantic tension too soon could have left the writers with nowhere to go dramatically. By holding the payoff until the finale, they created a cliffhanger that keeps viewers invested in what comes next — assuming the show continues.
Who Are Russ and Ricky in ‘Chad Powers’?
Russ Holliday (Glen Powell) is a former college football star whose career imploded due to a scandal. Desperate to return to the sport he loves, he creates the Chad Powers identity — complete with prosthetics, a Southern accent, and a new look — and joins the South Georgia Catfish football team.
Ricky Hudson (Perry Mattfeld) is the team’s assistant coach and the daughter of Coach Hudson (Steve Zahn). She discovered Russ’s true identity at the end of Season 1 and has spent Season 2 navigating the complicated position of keeping his secret while protecting her father’s legacy.
Their relationship is complicated by more than just the secret. Ricky accepts a new job at Syracuse University during Season 2, creating a ticking clock for their potential romance. “I think part of why that finale scene is so heartbreaking is because… if she does leave, then what? If people do find out, then what?” Mattfeld said.
SPOILERS — What Happens Between Russ and Ricky in Season 2?
The Season 2 finale, titled “12th Quarter,” delivers the romantic moment fans have been waiting for. After Russ defies blackmail attempts from backup quarterback Gerry (Colton Ryan) and leads the Catfish to victory, he shares an emotional moment with Ricky in the locker room.
As Ricky mourns that this may be their last game together before she leaves for New York, Russ consoles her and confesses he loves her. The two share their first kiss. As things intensify, Ricky begins peeling away part of Russ’s Chad Powers prosthetic — and at that exact moment, Coach Hudson walks through the door, catching them in a compromising position.
The episode cuts to black before we learn whether Hudson recognized Russ behind the disguise. “We thought about showing what happens after [Coach opens the door], but I’m excited that we didn’t,” Powell revealed. “I’m excited to let everybody’s imagination take over.”
Why the ‘Chad Powers’ Romance Doesn’t Have to Be Simple
The Russ and Ricky relationship works because it’s grounded in genuine emotional stakes. As Powell explained, “The essence of a good relationship is two people that really root for each other, even if it sort of is tragic. She’s believing this is their last game together, but she’s rooting for him to cross that line, and he’s rooting for her to be the person out in front.”
Mattfeld added that the relationship is complicated by “heartbreak” — not just because Ricky might leave, but because the secret could destroy everything they’ve built. “If people do find out, then what? There’s just more of this devastation of what would happen if it ends?” she said.
Glen Powell’s Role in ‘Chad Powers’
Powell, 37, co-created the series with Loki writer Michael Waldron. The show is inspired by an Eli Manning sketch from ESPN’s Eli’s Places. Powell’s performance as both Russ and Chad requires heavy prosthetics, a fake Southern accent, and a willingness to lean into the character’s absurd premise.
The show has been praised for Powell’s “charisma” and his ability to make a ridiculous premise work. As one critic noted, “Powell’s charisma remains radiant. As wounded, asshole Russ, he’s handsome and terrible, continuing with his bad fashion and political choices, even as his search for real connection only grows stronger.”
Who Is Perry Mattfeld?
Perry Mattfeld, 32, plays Ricky Hudson. She previously starred in the CW series In the Dark, where she played a blind woman solving her friend’s murder. Mattfeld has also appeared in Shameless and The Fosters.
Her role in Chad Powers has given her a more prominent position in a high-profile Hulu series. Her chemistry with Powell has been a key element of the show’s appeal, with critics noting that Ricky serves as “the voice of reason” in the show’s chaotic world.
What to Know About ‘Chad Powers’ Season 2
- Series: Chad Powers
- Main Cast: Glen Powell, Perry Mattfeld, Steve Zahn, Frankie Rodriguez
- Premise: Disgraced quarterback Russ Holliday disguises himself as Chad Powers to join a college football team
- Streaming Platform: Hulu (U.S.) and Disney+ (internationally)
- Season 2 Release Date: September 3, 2026
- Number of Episodes: 6
- Status: Season 2 finale ends on a major cliffhanger; Season 3 has not been officially confirmed
The Bigger Appeal of the Russ and Ricky Storyline
The Russ and Ricky romance works because it’s built on more than just attraction. Their relationship is a test of loyalty, honesty, and trust — qualities that Russ has historically lacked. As one review noted, “His ability to form real relationships with Danny, Coach Hudson, and Ricky powers his evolution. He’s learning a whole different reward system than the one he existed in as Russ, moving from self-absorption to genuinely caring for other people.”
By comparing the relationship to Ross and Rachel, Powell is signaling that the show understands the value of a well-built romantic arc. The Ross-Rachel comparison isn’t about copying Friends — it’s about recognizing that some of television’s most beloved relationships are built on patience, tension, and the willingness to let characters earn their happy endings.
FAQ
1. Who does Glen Powell play in ‘Chad Powers’?
Glen Powell plays Russ Holliday, a disgraced former college football star who disguises himself as Chad Powers using prosthetics and a fake Southern accent to rejoin the sport he loves.
2. Who does Perry Mattfeld play in ‘Chad Powers’?
Perry Mattfeld plays Ricky Hudson, the assistant coach of the South Georgia Catfish and daughter of Coach Hudson. She discovers Russ’s true identity in Season 1 and navigates keeping his secret in Season 2.
3. Did Glen Powell compare ‘Chad Powers’ to ‘Friends’?
Yes. Powell compared the slow-burn romance between his character and Perry Mattfeld’s character to Ross and Rachel from Friends, explaining that delaying the romantic payoff creates better storytelling.
4. Why did Glen Powell compare Russ and Ricky to Ross and Rachel?
Powell compared the relationships because both involve long-running romantic tension where the payoff is delayed to build dramatic stakes. “You don’t want to give it up too early,” he said of the relationship.
5. Do Russ and Ricky kiss in ‘Chad Powers’ Season 2?
Yes. In the Season 2 finale, Russ and Ricky share their first kiss after a two-season buildup. However, her father walks in on them before the screen cuts to black.
6. Is the Russ and Ricky relationship officially resolved?
No. The Season 2 finale ends with Coach Hudson catching them, and the show cuts to black before showing what happens next. The relationship remains unresolved.
7. Where can viewers watch ‘Chad Powers’ Season 2?
Season 2 of Chad Powers is available to stream on Hulu in the United States and on Disney+ internationally. It premiered on September 3, 2026.
8. Who are Ross and Rachel in ‘Friends’?
Ross Geller and Rachel Green are characters from the hit sitcom Friends, played by David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston. Their on-again, off-again romance was one of the show’s central storylines throughout its 10-season run.