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Hacks 2021
Hacks is an American dark comedy drama television series crafted by Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky, debuting on May 13, 2021 in HBO Max. The show centers on Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a stand-up comedian, and her comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), exploring their shifting professional relationship and personal experiences within today’s comedy world. The series ended on May 28, 2026 after running five seasons and 47 episodes.
The series garnered widespread critical praise and earned multiple prestigious honors. It was nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series, winning in its third season. Seasons one and three each took home the Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Comedy Series, while the third season also secured the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Additionally, the third season received the Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy.
Jean Smart’s portrayal earned her five Primetime Emmy Awards, making her the first actress to win every season of a long-running series. She also collected three Screen Actors Guild Awards, four Critics' Choice Awards, two Television Critics Association Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. Einbinder was nominated five times for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, winning in 2025. Other cast members receiving Emmy nods included Downs (two), Carl Clemons-Hopkins (one), and Megan Stalter (one).
Cast
- Jean SmartDeborah Vance
- Hannah EinbinderAva Daniels
- Carl Clemons-HopkinsMarcus Vaughan
- Megan StalterKayla Schaefer
- Paul W. DownsJimmy LuSaque Jr.
- Rose AbdooJosefina
- Mark IndelicatoDamien Asada Agosto
- Kaitlin OlsonDeborah "DJ" Vance Jr.
- Christopher McDonaldMarty Ghilain
- Poppy LiuKiki Loas
- Johnny SibillyWilson
- Angela E. GibbsRobin
- Jane AdamsNina Daniels
- Lorenza IzzoRuby
- LuenellMiss Loretta
- Joe MandeRay
- Lauren WeedmanJo Pezzimenti
- Helen HuntWinnie Landell
- Dan BucatinskyRob
- Tony GoldwynBob Lipka
- Michaela WatkinsStacey
- Robby HoffmanRandi
- Jefferson MaysT.L
- Jeff WardGeorge
- Paul FelderAidan Paladecki
- Louis HerthumDennis Daniels
- Anna Maria HorsfordFrancine
- Chris GeereJesse and Daisy
- Amanda PaytonJackie
- Martha KellyBarbara
- Ming-Na WenJanet Stone
- Polly DraperDiana
- Laurie Metcalf"Weed" / Alice
- Harriet Sansom HarrisSusan
- Susie EssmanElaine Carter
- Kyle GassAxel
- Devon SawaJason
- Jessica ChaffinJill
- Paula Andrea PlacidoRian
- Caitlin ReillyJessica Duncan
Crew
- Creator
- Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky
- Producer
- Melanie J. Elin, Seth Edelstein, Ashley Glazier, Samantha Riley, Nate Young
- Executive producer
- Jen Statsky, Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, Michael Schur, David Miner, Morgan Sackett
- Cinematography
- The Love Boat
- Music
- Carlos Rafael Rivera, David Stal
Details
- Production
- 3 Arts Entertainment, First Thought, Fremulon, Paulilu, Universal Television
- Network
- HBO Max
