''Hacks'' is an American

comedy-drama Comedy drama, also known by the portmanteau ''dramedy'', is a genre of dramatic works that combines elements of comedy and drama. The modern, scripted-television examples tend to have more humorous bits than simple comic relief seen in a typical ...

television series created by

Lucia Aniello Lucia Aniello (born 1983) is an Italian-born American director, writer, and producer best known for her work on ''Hacks'', for which she won multiple Emmy Awards, and ''Broad City.'' She has directed and written episodes of both shows, as well as ...

Paul W. Downs Paul W. Downs (born November 21, 1982) is an American actor, writer, director, and producer. He is the co-creator, co-showrunner and star of the critically-acclaimed HBO Max series ''Hacks'', for which he has received a Primetime Emmy, Golden G ...

, and Jen Statsky that premiered on May 13, 2021, on

HBO Max HBO Max is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched in the United States on May 27, 2020, the service is built around the libraries of HBO, Warner Bros., Cartoon Netw ...

. Starring

Jean Smart Jean Elizabeth Smart (born September 13, 1951) is an American actress. After beginning her career in regional theater in the Pacific Northwest, she appeared on Broadway in 1981 as Marlene Dietrich in the biographical play '' Piaf''. Smart was l ...

Hannah Einbinder Hannah Marie Einbinder (born May 21, 1995) is an American comedian, actress, and writer known for starring in the HBO Max series '' Hacks'', for which she received nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Golden Globe Award. Early li ...

, and

Carl Clemons-Hopkins Carl Clemons-Hopkins is an American actor, best known for portraying Marcus on the HBO Max comedy-drama series '' Hacks'' (2021–present). They were nominated for the 2021 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series f ...

, the series centers on the professional relationship between a young comedy writer and a legendary stand-up comedienne. The series received critical acclaim and won accolades including

Primetime Emmy Awards The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the Primetime ...

for Outstanding Writing, Outstanding Directing, and for Smart, Outstanding Lead Actress, as well as the

Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy The Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy is one of the annual Golden Globe Awards, given to the best comedy television series. From 1962 to 1968, the category was Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series, and grou ...

. In June 2021, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on May 12, 2022. In June 2022, the series was renewed for a third season.

Premise

Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas stand-up comedy diva, needs to re-invent her aging act to avoid losing her residency at the Palmetto Casino. Ava is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant. When Ava's manager sends her to work as Deborah's new head writer, the two slowly bond as Ava pushes her new boss to take more risks and Deborah, in turn, helps Ava start to work through her personal problems.

Cast and characters

Main

as Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas stand-up comedian *

as Ava Daniels, a down-on-her-luck comedy writer *

as Marcus,

COO COO or coo may refer to: Business * Certificate of origin, used in international trade * Chief operating officer or chief operations officer, high-ranking corporate official * Concept of operations, used in Systems Engineering Management Process ...

of Deborah's management company and her closest advisor

Recurring

Mark Indelicato Mark Indelicato (born July 16, 1994) is an American actor, singer, fashion blogger, and photographer best known for his role in the ABC comedy series '' Ugly Betty'', as Justin Suarez, the fashion-obsessed nephew of series protagonist Bett ...

as Damien, Deborah's personal assistant *

as Jimmy LuSaque, Deborah and Ava's manager *

Christopher McDonald Christopher McDonald (born February 15, 1955) is an American film, television, theatre and voice actor. McDonald is best known for playing the villainous professional golfer Shooter McGavin in the 1996 comedy ''Happy Gilmore''. Other notable ...

as Marty Ghilain,

CEO A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a central executive officer (CEO), chief administrator officer (CAO) or just chief executive (CE), is one of a number of corporate executives charged with the management of an organization especially ...

of the Palmetto Casino *

Rose Abdoo Rose Marie Abdoo (born November 28, 1962) is an American actress and comedian, known for her roles as Stars Hollow's local mechanic, Gypsy, on ''Gilmore Girls'' and as Spanish teacher Señorita Rodriguez on ''That's So Raven''. Life and career ...

as Josefina, Deborah's estate manager *

Megan Stalter Megan Stalter (born September 15, 1990)Zinoman, Jason''The New York Times'' 29 Mar. 2020. is an American comedian and actress. In her videos, Stalter specializes in desperate, deluded characters who are prone to theatricality, frequent mispronunci ...

as Kayla, the airhead daughter of Jimmy's boss who works as his assistant * Poppy Liu as Kiki, Deborah's personal blackjack dealer * Kaitlin Olson as Deborah "DJ" Vance Jr., Deborah's estranged daughter * Johnny Sibilly as Wilson, a water inspector who gets entangled with Marcus * Angela Elayne Gibbs as Robin, Marcus' mother * Jane Adams as Nina Daniels, Ava's mother *

Lorenza Izzo Lorenza Francesca Izzo Parsons (; ; born September 19, 1989) is a Chilean actress and model. She has appeared in films, including ''Aftershock'' (2012), '' The Green Inferno'' (2013), '' Knock Knock'' (2015), and Quentin Tarantino's ''Once Upo ...

as Ruby, Ava's ex-girlfriend *

Luenell Luenell Campbell (born March 12, 1959), known mononymously as Luenell, is an American comedian and actress. Career In the early-1990s, Luenell appeared regularly on ''Soul Beat TV'' on the Oakland, California Oakland is the largest city an ...

as Miss Loretta, Robin's best friend *

Joe Mande Joseph Mande (born March 16, 1983) is an American stand-up comedian, writer, and actor. Early life Mande was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Louis Mande, a lawyer, and Deborah Mande, a judge. He moved to St. Paul, Minnesota at the age of te ...

as Ray, a hotel clerk for the Palmetto *

Lauren Weedman Lauren Weedman (born March 5, 1969) is an American actress and comedian, known for her regular role on the HBO television series ''Looking'' (2014–2015), and its subsequent series finale television film, '' Looking: The Movie''. She is also kno ...

as Madam Mayor Pezzimenti, mayor of Las Vegas

Guest

Jefferson Mays Lewis Jefferson Mays (born June 8, 1965) is an American actor. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, including a Tony Award, a Helen Hayes Award, a Lucille Lortel Award, two Drama Desk Awards, two Outer Critics Circle Awards and three Ob ...

as T.L. Gurley, an antique dealer who holds a grudge against Deborah * Brent Sexton (season 1) and

W. Earl Brown William Earl Brown (born September 7, 1963) is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, musician, and songwriter. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Kenneth "Kenny" Brown in the film ''Scream (1996 film), Scream'' (1996), Warren in the ...

(season 2) as Michael, Jimmy's boss and Kayla's father * Jeff Ward as George, a man Ava meets and bonds with *

Paul Felder Paul Felder (born April 25, 1984) is an American retired professional mixed martial artist and color commentator for UFC. He competed in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2011, Felder also ...

as Aidan, DJ’s

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorp ...

husband. *

Louis Herthum Louis Herthum (born July 5, 1956) is an American actor and producer. Herthum has worked as a stage, television, and film actor, and he has also appeared in national television commercials. He is best known for his recurring role as Dep. Andy Broom ...

as Dennis Daniels, Ava's father * Anna Maria Horsford as Francine, a veteran comedian who is an old friend of Deborah *

Linda Purl Linda Purl (born September 2, 1955) is an American actress and singer, known for her roles as Ashley Pfister (Fonzie's girlfriend) on ''Happy Days'' (she originally played Gloria as Richie’s date in season 2 episode 6), Sheila Munroe in the 1982 ...

as Kathy Vance, Deborah's estranged sister *

Chris Geere Christopher William Geere (born 18 March 1981) is an English actor. He is known for playing the lead role of Jimmy Shive-Overly in the FX and FXX dark comedy series ''You're the Worst'' and Roger Clifford in the 2019 film '' Detective Pikachu' ...

and

Kirby Howell-Baptiste Kirby Howell-Baptiste (born 7 February 1987) is a British actress. She has appeared as a series regular on ''Downward Dog'' (2017), '' Killing Eve'' (2018), '' Why Women Kill'' (2019), and '' The Sandman'' (2022). Her television appearances also ...

as Jesse and Daisy, two British TV producers who interview Ava *

Amanda Payton Amanda Payton is an American actor. She is best known for playing Nina Rudolph on the NBC sitcom '' Trial & Error'', Dr. Alison Parfit on the Sky Comedy/Peacock police comedy-drama '' Code 404'', and Holly in the CBS sitcom '' United States of Al ...

as Jackie *

Martha Kelly Martha Kelly (born February 24, 1968) is an American stand-up comedian and actress from Los Angeles, California, best known for co-starring in the FX comedy series ''Baskets''. In 2022, Kelly was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstan ...

as Barbara, a human resources representative (season 2) *

Ming-Na Wen Ming-Na Wen (; born November 20, 1963) is an American actress and model. She voiced Mulan in the animated film ''Mulan'' and its sequel, portrayed Melinda May / The Cavalry in '' Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' (2013–2020), and Fennec Sha ...

as Janet Stone, a talent agent and Jimmy's rival (season 2) *

Laurie Metcalf Laura Elizabeth Metcalf (born June 16, 1955) is an American actress. Often described as a character actor, she's known for her complex and versitile roles across the stage and screen. She has received various accolades throughout her career sp ...

as "Weed", an eccentric tour manager (season 2) *

Wayne Newton Carson Wayne Newton (born April 3, 1942) is an American singer and actor. One of the most popular singers in the nation from the mid-to-late 20th-century, Newton remains one of the best-known entertainers in Las Vegas. He is known by the nicknam ...

as himself (season 2) *

Margaret Cho Margaret Moran Cho (born December 5, 1968) is an American comedian, actress, LGBT social activist, and musician. She is known for her stand-up routines, through which she critiques social and political problems, especially regarding race and se ...

as herself (season 2) *

Harriet Harris Harriet Sansom Harris (born January 8, 1955) is an American actress known for her theater performances and for her portrayals of Bebe Glazer on ''Frasier'' and Felicia Tilman on '' Desperate Housewives''. Harris won a Tony Award in 2002 as a F ...

as Susan, an old friend of Deborah (season 2) *

Susie Essman Susan Essman is an American stand-up comedian, actress, writer and television producer, best known for her role as Susie Greene on '' Curb Your Enthusiasm'', Bobbi Wexler on ''Broad City'', and the voice of Mittens in '' Bolt''. Early life Es ...

as Elaine Carter, a director and an old friend of Deborah (season 2) *

Devon Sawa Devon Edward Sawa (born September 7, 1978) is a Canadian actor. Sawa began acting when he was a teenager and appeared in several films in the 1990s including '' Little Giants'', ''Casper'', '' Now and Then'', '' Wild America'', ''Idle Hands'', a ...

as Jason (season 2)

Episodes

Season 1 (2021)

Season 2 (2022)

Production

In May 2020,

announced that it had picked up the series and that

would star. Additional casting was announced in February 2021. Because of the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

, actors held table reads over

Zoom Zoom may refer to: Technology Computing * Zoom (software), videoconferencing application * Page zooming, the ability to magnify or shrink a portion of a page on a computer display * Zooming user interface, a graphical interface allowing for image ...

, there were no cast parties during production, and stars Smart and Clemons-Hopkins did not even meet each other in person until minutes before filming began. In June 2021, HBO Max renewed the series for a second season, and the cast added

, and

in recurring roles and

as a guest star. In June 2022, HBO Max renewed the series for a third season. In September 2022, the showrunners revealed that a time jump would take place between the second and third season.

Release

''Hacks'' premiered on May 13, 2021, with a two-episode release. Two episodes were released on a weekly basis through June 10, 2021, for the remainder of the 10-episode first season. The second season premiered on May 12, 2022, with a two-episode release weekly. HBO announced that the third season is scheduled for release in 2023. The first season of ''Hacks'' premiered on

Amazon Prime Video Amazon Prime Video, also known simply as Prime Video, is an American Video on demand#Subscription models, subscription video on-demand Over-the-top media service, over-the-top Streaming media, streaming and Renting, rental service of Amazon (c ...

in the United Kingdom on April 1, 2022.

Reception

Critical response

The first season received critical acclaim. The review aggregator

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang ...

reported a "Certified Fresh" approval rating of 100% based on 74 critic reviews, with an average rating of 8.30/10. The website's critics consensus states, "A prickling debut that pulls few punches, ''Hacks'' deftly balances its sharp critiques of the comedy world with more intimate moments, all the while giving the incomparable

a role worthy of her talents – and an excellent partner in

Metacritic Metacritic is a website that review aggregator, aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted arithmetic mean, weighted average). M ...

calculated a weighted average score of 82 out of 100 based on 24 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". The second season has also received critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes it also received "Certified Fresh" approval rating of 100% based on 51 critic reviews, with an average rating of 8.70/10. The website's critics consensus states, "''Hacks'' hits the road, but Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder remain very much at home with each other in a sterling sophomore season that finds novel ways to deepen the central pair's lovable friendship." On Metacritic, it received a score of 88 out of 100 based on 24 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".

Awards and nominations

;Notes * – Tied with

Hannah Waddingham Hannah Waddingham (born 28 July 1974) is a British actress and singer. She is best known for playing Rebecca Welton in the comedy series ''Ted Lasso'' (2020–present), for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actres ...

for ''

Ted Lasso ''Ted Lasso'' is an American sports comedy-drama television series developed by Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly. It is based on a character of the same name that Sudeikis first portrayed in a series of promos for NB ...

''.

References

External links

* * *
Official season 2 finale screenplay
{{HBO Max 2020s American comedy-drama television series 2020s American LGBT-related comedy television series 2020s American LGBT-related drama television series 2021 American television series debuts Bisexuality-related television series English-language television shows HBO Max original programming Primetime Emmy Award-winning television series Television series about comedians Television series by 3 Arts Entertainment Television series by Fremulon Television series by Universal Television Television shows set in Las Vegas