Although sports have always been a significant part of Perry Mattfeld‘s life, she was unable to combine her two passions: football and acting.
That is until now, as Mattfeld stars alongside Glen Powell in the new sports-comedy series Chad Powers, as assistant coach Ricky Hudson, for the South Georgia Catfish’s football team. While the role is a stark contrast than her previous parts in recent years, such as playing a blind woman in the CW’s In the Dark, and a heroin addict in Peacock’s Long Bright River, it’s a one that seems like the perfect fit for the actress, since Mattfeld was previously an athlete, has a deep knowledge of football — oh, and she’s also married to NFL veteran-turned Fox Sports’ analyst Mark Sanchez.
“When I read this script, I was like, the fact that my two worlds could be meeting together was amazing — that is what made this my dream role,” Mattfeld tells The Hollywood Reporter. “I remember reading the audition sides and talking all that football lingo. It was stuff that I genuinely was like, ‘I know this! I know what these mean!’ I always surprised myself with how much football knowledge I actually have.”
Chad Powers — which is based on ESPN’s 2022 skit of Eli Manning (who also executive produces with Payton Manning and Powell), who went undercover with the help of prosthetics to try out for Penn State’s football team — follows star quarterback, Russ Holliday’s (Powell) career crumble in the NFL after a mistake. To get a second chance at his dream, he goes incognito as Chad Powers to play football for the South Georgia Catfish. As part of his disguise, Chad wears a wig, speaks in a high-pitched accent and gets help to master the special effects makeup from Danny (Frankie A. Rodriguez), the school mascot.
However, his unusual, yet charming persona soon earns the attention of Ricky and they develop an unexpected friendship. “Ricky is a little bit isolated in her world, and she sees that Chad is somewhat isolated, and so they bond over being the odd ones in the bunch,” Mattfeld describes. But in addition, he helps her to be taken more seriously as a female coach.
Below, Mattfeld teases what’s in store for Ricky and Chad’s dynamic, the input Sanchez gave to the show’s writers, how football is an everyday occurrence, as well as what she hopes is next for her career.
How familiar were you with Eli Manning’s Chad Powers spoof, and what was your reaction when you found out a whole show was being made from that one sketch?
I knew about the spoof. I do happen to be a football fan myself. That’s something that’s so surprising about the show is the authenticity of the world, that it was created around a skit. When I saw all six episodes, even I was shocked. I cannot believe we made a show based on the skit, the fact that it grew that much and by the end, you’re so committed and so invested in this world and rooting for these people. And I hope that people will have the same commitment and investment in this world.
Speaking of your connection to sports, you’re married to former NFL player and now broadcaster Mark Sanchez. Did your own personal connection to sports lead you to want to be a part of the show? Did that help you connect and relate to your character?
Yes, very much so. I was a high school cheerleader and then a college cheerleader as well at USC. Then, ended up marrying a former player, now analyst. So, football has always been a very big part of my life, but it’s never intersected with being an actress. Those worlds have never met. So when I read this script, I was like, the fact that my two worlds could be meeting together was amazing — that is what made this my dream role. I remember reading the audition sides and talking all that football lingo. It was stuff that I genuinely was like, “I know this! I know what these mean!” I always surprised myself with how much football knowledge I actually have, just because it’s all we’re allowed to watch at home anyway. So, there was definitely a genuine connection to the show and that was what pulled me for sure.
You’re probably a pro at all the lingo.
Yeah, It’s funny. I’ll be overhearing a conversation that I’m not a part of and end up piping in like, “Oh, well yeah, that was Justin Jefferson or something.” And then I’m like, “Oh my God, why do I know that?” I even surprised myself that I have things to offer. But that’s something that’s really cool about the entire cast and creators as well. Everyone had a personal interest in this show. Everyone wanted to do it because they’re college fans, former athletes, or had a connection and a draw to it from their own personal experiences.
You play assistant coach Ricky. She’s the only one who immediately calls out Chad and thinks this can’t be a real person when he is signing up to try out. Can you answer the question that we’re all thinking: How does no one else see through his disguise?!
Well, first of all, the prosthetics in person are so well done. Our makeup team is incredible. That was another shock to me that when I saw Glen in mask for the first time, I could not believe the detail and believability that went into his skin texture, his pores, the hairline, everything. So, the physicality is shockingly believable, but I think there has to be some desperation for a new player to turn this program around. What’s fun about Ricky is you start to see in episode two, there’s something endearing about Chad that she is charmed by. Ricky is a little bit isolated in her world, and she sees that Chad is somewhat isolated, and so they bond over being the odd ones in the bunch. [In episode two, there’s a scene where Chad creeps up on Ricky by randomly walking through the woods.] I loved the way I was directed in that moment to say, he’s like, what’s so funny? And she’s like, “You just say stuff funny sometimes.” It’s kind of an endearing sweet [moment of Ricky thinking] I haven’t figured you out, but you’re kind of weird. And I’m not totally freaked out by it. I’m curious about you, but it’s also kind of sweet and I feel kind of sorry for you at the same time (Laughs), but I think there’s this very endearing kindness about the beginning of their friendship.
The show is so funny. Can you give some insight into what it was like behind the scenes to film those really comedic scenes?
Yeah, I mean, even the scene you mentioned when he’s signing up for tryouts. I’m really excited for people to see Glen in this role because I genuinely think this is giving him an opportunity to showcase the master of his craft that Glen is. He is so good in this and this is such a challenging role to be playing two people at the same time, with a lie, completely improving as he goes, but he is so funny. And during that tryout scene and so many other scenes, I called out to the crew, we would pause and laugh and I’d be like, “I’m sorry. I’m going to lose my job,” because I could not get through these scenes with him. There was one, I think it’s a line that made it into the cut when he’s starting to sign his name and he says in his accident, he’s like, “Oh, Ws are hard,” as he’s writing. And I lost it! I lost it! So they were able to cut around, and when they cut to my face, I can tell that some of those shots were of me. My eyes are a little watery because I’m holding back laughter. Hopefully, no one else can tell how hard it was for me to keep it together. (Laughs.) But this show was the most enjoyable experience I’ve ever had. We laughed our way through the entire thing and getting to watch Glen master this character, but also he kept us on our toes the whole time because he was improvising and we were able to just play. Going to set every day was a dream.
In the first two episodes, strangely, I can already see sparks flying between you two. What can you tease about Ricky and Chad’s relationship?
They develop a really great friendship first, and that could be the foundation or not, but I think the friendship is something that audiences will really fall in love with first.
With your character, we see the male coaches not take Ricky seriously sometimes, which reflects an unfortunate stigma for women working in sports. How did you navigate portraying that?
That was part of what was tough about this role is that Ricky has to be taken seriously. She has to kind of be one of the guys. And also kind of the romantic interest. It’s a comedy, [and she’s a] former athlete that wants to be liked by the players, but also respected by the players. So that’s definitely a fine line to walk. I’m lucky to know quite a few women in sports that I was able to talk to as well. One perspective I was given was by Kristina Pink, she’s a sideline reporter and she’s been involved in the NFL for forever. I talked to her a lot about like, “What is it like for you to be a sideline reporter and always be around all men?” And she was just like, “I have never brought attention to it, and I’ve just earned the respect over the years by knowing what I talk about and doing my homework and showing up prepared. And I’m respected just like the rest of the guys.” And I do think Ricky is a very detail-oriented, offensive genius and I think she takes her job really seriously.
Mark has obviously played for beloved teams as a quarterback. Did he ever visit the set and give Glen some pointers?
He luckily has a great relationship with both Eli and Peyton. And I know that Eli and Peyton spent quite a bit of time with Glen getting him prepped, but Mark was definitely able to consult with me quite a bit on some of my lines. I have to give him some credit; some of his lines made it in terms of my improv or things that he had given me. (Laughs.) But he did spend some time in the writers room giving some insight not only about his NFL career, but college as well. Even things like what it’s like back in the hotel room when you’re on the road? Who’d you room with? Where do you sit on the bus? All that kind of stuff. They really did their homework and I think the authenticity of college football culture will shine through for sure.
What does he think of the show?
He loves it. I remember when we got to watch all the episodes, one of the first things [that happened was] all the creators went to him after and they were like, “How’s the football look? Is the football good? Does it look real? Does it look real?” And he was like, “You guys did an awesome job. It looks great.” We used a company called Game Changing Films, which basically has all of these athletes who are either retired players or they’re free agents, or they’re just out of college, or they’re still playing. And they were so professional and so thorough with their plays. The guys were such great sports about the long days and all the takes and all the coverage we had to get to do the football. But they really performed well, and I think they did a really great job with all the football stuff.
The past year you’ve worked alongside some huge stars, Anne Hathaway in The Idea of You, Amanda Seyfried in Long Bright River and now Glen. Is there anything you’ve learned from them that you plan to apply to your career going forward?
For sure. I’ve always said I want to be the least talented person on a project. I’d rather be attached to really, really great people than be the lead of something I’m not proud of. [With] Michael Showalter and Hathaway, I’m like, “I want to work with her, [with] Amanda, I’m like ‘I want to work with her.’” Those are all actors that I not only think are so talented, but are genuinely wonderful, wonderful, wonderful people. Everything you read about Glen or hear about Glen is true. He’s one of the hardest-working, kindest, most generous, funnies [people I know]. … And Steve Zahn, to get to play his daughter. Wish he was my real dad. No, I love my dad. Wish he was my real uncle! (Laughs.)
Is there another dream role or genre you’d love to tap into next?
A part of me would love to film something Marie Antoinette-style one day. I’d love to be do a period piece. I haven’t gotten to do that yet. I’ve always been attracted to character roles. I’m really lucky that I’ve gotten to play a vast array of different very extreme versions of characters. I was playing a heroin addict at the time when I got the audition for Chad Powers. So lots of extremes. But yeah, I definitely am curious about a period piece.
With football season just now kicking off, what are your Sundays going to look like and what team are you rooting for?
Well, it’s funny you say Sunday because football is actually every day. (Laughs.) There’s Monday night football. There are highlights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You’re prepping for Thursday night football. Then we have Friday, which is going to be reviews of Thursday night football. Then we have college game day on Saturday and then NFL on Sunday. So it’s actually not one day of the week for football. It’s actually a full-time job.