Spoilers for season 3 of Hacks below.
Following a successful third season Max have renewed the multi Emmy award-winning comedy series for a fourth.
Created by Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky, Hacks follows the turbulent relationship between legendary stand up comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and up-and-coming comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), as they are forced together by their agent (Downs). The series follows the chaotic ups and downs of their intergenerational friendship as they attempt to navigate the comedy world and learn from each other, with only a little light suing.
While the first two seasons followed Deborah and Ava’s attempts to reinvigorate Deborah’s career after a record breaking residency at a Las Vegas casino is ended, the third season begins with them separated. Deborah’s special has relaunched her stardom while Ava is back with her ex Ruby, and is a valued member of a TV show writing staff. After a chance encounter at a hotel, Ava is once again sucked back into Deborah’s world, and the remainder of the season is focused on the team attempting to make Deborah’s dream of hosting a late night talk show a reality. The finale saw that dream come to fruition but Deborah’s ruthlessness once again rears its head, and she and Ava end the season back in enemy territory, leaving plenty of room for a fourth season.
Alongside Smart and Einbinder are a strong supporting cast; consisting of Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Megan Stalter, Rose Abdoo, Kaitlin Olson, and Mark Indelicato. One of the show’s biggest strengths is its ability to balance its supporting characters alongside its principles, creating a rich world for them to navigate. One such highlight comes in the form of Downs and Stalter’s dynamic as they launch their independent agency firm. With Deborah and Ava’s relationship back on the rocks the finale was neatly balanced by Jimmy’s (strictly professional and not at all romantic, just a work thing) airplane declaration which sees them end the season as equal partners.
With Deborah and Ava’s big break on late night tv just beginning, there is still much more to explore in the world of Hacks. In the meantime, Hacks is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
Words by Camille Murray
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