HBO Max's 'Hacks' renewed for season 5: What to expect after a successful season 4
Shreeaa Rathi | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | May 28, 2025, 01:19 IST
( Image credit : AP, TOIGLOBAL )
Great news for fans of the acclaimed HBO Max series 'Hacks'! The show, featuring the brilliant duo of Jean Smart as Deborah Vance and Hannah Einbinder as Ava, is set to return for a fifth season. With numerous Emmy nominations under its belt, 'Hacks' continues to deliver sharp humor and wit.
The HBO Max series "Hacks" has been renewed for Season 5, following the Season 4 finale which is set to debut on May 29. The series, created and showrun by Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky, features Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder) as they navigate the world of late night TV. "Hacks" has garnered 48 Emmy nominations, including a Season 3 win for Outstanding Comedy Series, and has been a top series on HBO Max.
The Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice Award-winning series is executive produced by Downs and Aniello via their Paulilu banner, and Statsky via First Thought Productions, as well as Emmy winners Michael Schur via Fremulon, David Miner for 3 Arts Entertainment, Morgan Sackett, and Joe Mande. The studio is Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
In addition to Smart, Einbinder, and Downs, the series stars Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Mark Indelicato, and Rose Abdoo. The cast also includes Dan Bucatinsky, Helen Hunt, Tony Goldwyn, Kaitlin Olson, Jane Adams, Lauren Weedman, Christopher McDonald, Poppy Liu, Lorenza Izzo, Johnny Sibilly, Paul Felder, Polly Draper, Luenell, and Aristotle Athari.
Season 4 introduced Julianne Nicholson, Michaela Watkins, Bresha Webb, Robby Hoffman, Eric Balfour, Danny Jolles, Gavin Matts, Grover Whitmore III, Holmes, Jasmine Ashanti, Katy Sullivan, Matt Oberg, and Sandy Honig.
Sarah Aubrey, Head of Max Original Programming, said, “We congratulate ‘Hacks’ singularly talented cast and crew and our great partners at Universal Television."
Erin Underhill, President of Universal Television, added, “Like Deborah Vance herself, ‘Hacks’ only gets bolder, sharper, and more iconic with time. We’re beyond thrilled to keep the laughter rolling with Jen, Paul, Lucia, our extraordinary cast and crew, and our partners at Max.”
"Hacks" has been a top five series on HBO Max since its Season 4 debut in the U.S., and a top 10 series globally. According to HBO, Season 4 has been pacing as the series’ best season yet and has achieved both domestic and global week-over-week growth every week so far this season.
The IndieWire review for Season 4 praised the comedy series for spotlighting its stellar ensemble cast.
Ben Travers wrote, “‘Hacks’ has long made room for all the voices in its ace ensemble, but no one has been able to overshadow its leads, Smart (who has three Emmys for the role) and Hannah Einbinder as Ava (who should have at least two). In part, that’s because both actors are delivering impeccable work, balancing their caustic comic chemistry with course, unbridled vulnerability.”
Travers teased that the Season 4 finale has its own conclusion while still making room for possible new directions, including perhaps even “giving Poppy Liu’s Kiki the DJ treatment in Season 5.”
For next season, “the floor will also always be incredibly high, given the talent involved,” Travers wrote.
“I just hope there are more rewarding fights ahead, for Deborah, for Ava, and for ‘Hacks,'” Travers wrote.
The Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice Award-winning series is executive produced by Downs and Aniello via their Paulilu banner, and Statsky via First Thought Productions, as well as Emmy winners Michael Schur via Fremulon, David Miner for 3 Arts Entertainment, Morgan Sackett, and Joe Mande. The studio is Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
In addition to Smart, Einbinder, and Downs, the series stars Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Mark Indelicato, and Rose Abdoo. The cast also includes Dan Bucatinsky, Helen Hunt, Tony Goldwyn, Kaitlin Olson, Jane Adams, Lauren Weedman, Christopher McDonald, Poppy Liu, Lorenza Izzo, Johnny Sibilly, Paul Felder, Polly Draper, Luenell, and Aristotle Athari.
Season 4 introduced Julianne Nicholson, Michaela Watkins, Bresha Webb, Robby Hoffman, Eric Balfour, Danny Jolles, Gavin Matts, Grover Whitmore III, Holmes, Jasmine Ashanti, Katy Sullivan, Matt Oberg, and Sandy Honig.
Sarah Aubrey, Head of Max Original Programming, said, “We congratulate ‘Hacks’ singularly talented cast and crew and our great partners at Universal Television."
Erin Underhill, President of Universal Television, added, “Like Deborah Vance herself, ‘Hacks’ only gets bolder, sharper, and more iconic with time. We’re beyond thrilled to keep the laughter rolling with Jen, Paul, Lucia, our extraordinary cast and crew, and our partners at Max.”
"Hacks" has been a top five series on HBO Max since its Season 4 debut in the U.S., and a top 10 series globally. According to HBO, Season 4 has been pacing as the series’ best season yet and has achieved both domestic and global week-over-week growth every week so far this season.
The IndieWire review for Season 4 praised the comedy series for spotlighting its stellar ensemble cast.
Ben Travers wrote, “‘Hacks’ has long made room for all the voices in its ace ensemble, but no one has been able to overshadow its leads, Smart (who has three Emmys for the role) and Hannah Einbinder as Ava (who should have at least two). In part, that’s because both actors are delivering impeccable work, balancing their caustic comic chemistry with course, unbridled vulnerability.”
Travers teased that the Season 4 finale has its own conclusion while still making room for possible new directions, including perhaps even “giving Poppy Liu’s Kiki the DJ treatment in Season 5.”
For next season, “the floor will also always be incredibly high, given the talent involved,” Travers wrote.
“I just hope there are more rewarding fights ahead, for Deborah, for Ava, and for ‘Hacks,'” Travers wrote.