'Hacks' Season 2: 5 things you need to know about HBO Max comedy series

'Hacks', a comedy about the dark mentorship between two comedians, is returning for a second season
PUBLISHED APR 29, 2022
Jean Smart (L) and Hannah Enbinder (R) in 'Hacks' Season 2 ( HBO max)
Jean Smart (L) and Hannah Enbinder (R) in 'Hacks' Season 2 ( HBO max)

Emmy-winning series 'Hacks' will return to HBO Max this spring. 'Hacks' was among the most beloved series of summer 2021 when it premiered on HBO Max and received widespread critical acclaim. In the series, Jean Smart plays washed-up Vegas comic Deborah Vance as she struggles to connect with her new writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder), who has been canceled due to a bad tweet. Jean Smart won an Emmy, SAG, and Critics Choice Award for her portrayal of Deborah, while co-stars Einbinder, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, and Jane Adams were all nominated for Emmys last year for their respective roles. 'Hacks' additionally won two more Emmys for writing and directing in a Comedy Series.

The show was renewed before the season 1 finale, which ended with a cliffhanger that saw Deborah leaving her Vegas residence and Ava sending details about the comic's life to producers developing a show about her. The new season will debut on Thursday, May 12 on HBO Max with two episodes. The eight-episode season continues with two new episodes a week, wrapping up on June 2, two days after the 2022 Emmy eligibility period ends. Here's all that we know about the show.

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When will 'Hacks' Season 2 release and where to watch it?

HBO Max and Universal Television announced that Season 2 will premiere with two episodes on May 12, followed by two episodes per week, concluding on June 2.

What will Season 2 of 'Hacks' be about?

In season 2, the dark mentorship between legendary Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance (Smart) and her young, entitled writer Ava (Einbinder) continues to evolve as the two travel across the country workshopping Deborah’s new stand-up act.

Who stars in Season 2 of 'Hacks'?

Returning cast members include Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Christopher McDonald, Kaitlin Olson, Paul W. Downs, Poppy Liu, Rose Abdoo, Mark Indelicato, Meg Stalter, Angela E. Gibbs, Luenell, Johnny Sibilly, Joe Mande, Ally Maki, and Lorenza Izzo. New recurring guest stars include Laurie Metcalf, Martha Kelly, Ming-Na Wen, and Susie Essman, while Margaret Cho and Devon Sawa also appear in the new season.

Showrunners

‘Hacks’ is created by Emmy winners Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky. It is executive produced by Downs and Aniello via their Paulilu banner, Statsky via First Thought Productions, as well as Emmy winners Michael Schur via Fremulon, David Miner for 3 Arts Entertainment, and Morgan Sackett. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio.

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