Perry Mattfeld on Finding the Heart and the Humor of Hulu’s Chad Powers

By Simi Kaur Baidwan

“I’ve spent quite a bit of time on a college football sideline, so it felt natural. Football’s always been such a big part of my life, and it’s never come into my work before, so I was thrilled to finally merge those worlds.”

- Perry Mattfeld

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Perry Mattfeld has built her career on range – from the gritty emotional depths of “In the Dark” to the sharp comedic instincts that now shine in Hulu’s new football comedy “Chad Powers”. But as Mattfeld steps into the role of Ricky, a no-nonsense assistant coach navigating the chaos of small-town college football, she’s doing more than just showing off her comedic chops – she’s coming full circle.

A Long Beach native with deep roots in performance, Mattfeld began dancing at age four with the Long Beach Ballet before training under legendary choreographer Debbie Allen. Her artistry evolved through musical theater - she even portrayed Kirsten and Kit in Mattel’s “American Girl Theater” productions. She then began studying acting and film theory at the University of Southern California, where she graduated cum laude. There, she also performed as one of the “World Famous USC Song Girls,” cheering from the sidelines of packed football games – an experience that would later lend an authentic edge to her role in “Chad Powers”.

The series, co-created by Glenn Powell and “Loki’s” Michael Waldron, is a comedic spin on Eli Manning’s viral “Chad Powers” skit. Powell stars as Russ Holliday, a disgraced former quarterback who reinvents himself as “Chad Powers” in a last-ditch attempt to join the Georgia Catfish football team. Mattfeld plays Ricky, the team’s coaching staff and daughter to the head coach (played by Michael Chiklis), quickly suspects that Chad isn’t who he says he is – setting the stage for a mix of hilarious deception and heartfelt drama.

“The reaction’s been great,” Mattfeld says of the show’s early success. “We wanted Chad Powers to bring some much-needed comedic relief. And it’s been awesome hearing that people are watching it and laughing together. It’s appealing to a wide threshold of people.”

Mattfeld’s own football background, plus her marriage to former NFL quarterback and current Fox analyst Mark Sanchez helped her embody Ricky’s confidence on the sidelines. “I’ve spent quite a bit of time on a college football sideline,” she laughs. “So it felt natural. Football’s always been such a big part of my life, and it’s never come into my work before, so I was thrilled to finally merge those worlds.”

Though she’s known for dramatic roles, Mattfeld relished the chance to show off her comedic instincts. “I’ve been anxious to break into comedy for a while,” she admits. “Even when I was filming “In the Dark”, I’d find moments funny and sometimes the director would have to remind me, ‘Perry, this isn’t a comedy!’”

On set, Glenn Powell’s improvisational energy kept her on her toes. “He would throw out stuff that wasn’t on the page and I’d just lose it. There were so many times I broke character,” she recalls, laughing. “We giggled all day. And now that viewers are laughing just as much, it feels like validation.”

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Mattfeld also credits Powell for setting a tone of dedication and generosity behind the scenes. “He’s probably the hardest-working person I’ve ever met,” she says. “He was running lines, producing, training for football scenes, and then doing sprints on set because he was prepping for his next project. But even with all that, he made a point to say, ‘If there’s anything I can do for you, let me know.’ That’s the kind of leader he is.”

Beyond the laughs, “Chad Powers” offers surprising emotional depth, particularly in the father-daughter dynamic between Ricky and Coach Hudson. “They clearly love each other, but they struggle to communicate,” Mattfeld says. “I think a lot of people will relate to that tension, loving someone deeply but not knowing how to say what you mean.”

As the first season ends on a high-stakes cliffhanger, Mattfeld teases that there’s much more to come. “When I saw all six episodes, it felt like just the pilot,” she says. “We’ve barely scratched the surface of who these people are. Ricky’s going to be tested in ways she couldn’t have imagined, especially when it comes to protecting her dad and the [football] program.”

Looking ahead, Mattfeld hopes to continue stretching herself. “I’m drawn to strong, character-driven roles,” she says. “I’d love to do a period piece, something completely different, maybe filming in a French château in a corset,” she laughs. “But for now, I’m just excited to see where Ricky goes next. Comedy, drama, football – “Chad Powers” has a little bit of everything, and I think that’s what makes it special.

Season 1 of “Chad Powers” is now available on Hulu.

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