‘Hacks’ Cast and Characters — Who’s Returning in Season 3 of the Hit Max Series?

The second season of the HBO comedy Hacks it had it all: puppies, cruise ships, and dumpster diving for a tennis ball container full of burnt ashes. The hit series originally premiered in 2021 to rave reviews for its writing and acting, especially the performances of the show's two leads. Jean Smart i Hannah Einbinder. Created by Wide City's Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downsi Jen Statskythe story follows iconic comic Deborah Vance (Smart) as she enters into a toxic work relationship with young writer Ava (Einbinder).

Now, six-time Emmy-winning Hacks is gearing up to launch its third season, giving fans a sneak peek in its newly released trailer featuring Deborah, Ava and the rest of the hilarious characters from the show Whether you are new Hacks or need a refresher on all the craziness that happened in Season 2, here's everything you need to know before Season 3 premieres on May 2, 2024.

Jean Smart

Deborah Vance

Deborah Vance is a Las Vegas comedy icon whose material needs a bit of a makeover. Throughout Season 1, Deborah struggles to adjust to changing her act to appease younger audiences, but in Season 2, Deborah has come to terms with her career change, hitting the road with Ava and finding the her voice when network executives try to take creative control from her. television special Season 2 also brings moments of humanity to Deborah, who often has a hard exterior that comes across as cold. Deborah fires Ava in an attempt to give the young writer a chance to have her own career and drops the lawsuit against Ava that had resulted from breaking her Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA ) months before. While the Season 3 trailer has promised a Deborah and Ava reunion, fans will have to wait and see how that reconciliation plays out.

Jean Smart starred in the hit 80s sitcom Women designing next to Annie Potts i Dixie Carterhe later won two Primetime Emmy Awards for his role in frasier. Smart's film roles include Sweet Home Alabama, The Brady Bunch Movie, The Accountanti A simple favor. In addition to acting in television and film, Smart has also had an impressive career on Broadway, receiving a Tony Award nomination for his role in the 2000 revival. The man who came to dinner.

Hannah Einbinder

Ava

Ava Daniels is a struggling comedy writer whose career is in limbo after tweeting something controversial. In Season 1, Ava is sent by her agent to work for Deborah Vance, an older comedian with whom Ava seems to have nothing in common. While the two eventually learn to work well with each other, Ava has a moment of frustration at the end of Season 1 where she reveals her secrets about Deborah to two TV producers. Season 2 reveals that while Ava and Deborah are still working together, Deborah is simultaneously suing Ava for violating her NDA by talking to TV producers. Ava and Deborah go on tour together, and even though things finally seem to be going in a positive direction, Deborah fires Ava to give her a chance to have her own career.

Hacks was actress Hannah Einbinder's breakthrough role, earning her two Emmy Award nominations and two Golden Globe nominations. In addition to his role in HacksEinbinder has appeared in The History of the World: Part IIApple TV strange planet i Julia starring Sarah Lancashire.

Carl Clemons-Hopkins

March

Marcus is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Deborah's company and her closest confidant. Season 2 has Marcus having a breakup, which leads him to get a puppy. Marcus's growing feelings of loneliness lead to excessive partying, and his mother eventually gets involved when Marcus can't retrieve his puppy from the vet while under the influence. Deborah lets Marcus take over her tour when her current tour manager, Weed, isn't doing a good job, and Marcus gets back on a healthy path.

Carl Clemons-Hopkins is an actor from Georgia whose career began in theater, earning nominations for his role in a Philadelphia production of Little shop of horrors. After season 1 of Hacks premiered, Clemons-Hopkins was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for her role as Deborah's COO, Marcus. In addition to his role in Hackshave appeared in the hit horror film Candy selleras well as The Beanie Bubble and Paramount+'s Star Trek: Lower Decks.

Marc Indelicato

Damian

Damien is Deborah's personal assistant who embarks on a tour with Deborah and Ava in season 2. Damien is opinionated about many things, but nothing can overshadow his love for Deborah Vance, whom he loves a lot. In a Season 2 revelation, Damien admits that he doesn't even like comedy or what Deborah does; it is Deborah's business experience and empire that the assistant admires.

Marc Indelicato had a prominent role starring alongside America Ferrara (barbie) on the ABC comedy series ugly betty from 2006 to 2010. Other Indelicato credits include Hot in Cleveland starring Betty White, dead of summerand the Prime series With love.

Rosa Abdoo

Josephine

Josefina is Deborah Vance's estate manager. He is ever-present at Deborah's big house in Las Vegas, managing the property and any major events that occur. While the rest of Deborah's team seems unequal to her, Josefina is the only one on the team who seems like an equal to the strong-willed comedian. This makes his scenes with Deborah even more entertaining to watch as she is the only one who is not afraid to offend or irritate his boss.

Rosa Abdoo is instantly recognizable to fans of Gilmore Girls, as the actress played Stars Hollow's resident mechanic, Gypsy. Abdoo has also appeared in the Adam Sandler Animation film Leo, Kristin Wiig's Barb and Star go to Vista del Marand the Lake Bell comedy series, Bless this mess.

Paul W. Downs

jimmy

Jimmy is Deborah's timid agent who is most afraid to rock the boat. However, it is not Jimmy's relationship with Deborah that takes center stage, but rather his relationship with his assistant, Kayla, a young woman whose antics make Jimmy incredibly uncomfortable. Season 2 had Jimmy leaving his longtime management company after trying to reassign Deborah to a different manager, and ends with Jimmy letting Ava know that Deborah has left the lawsuit against her. This brings a sense of peace to what was an unexpected professional break between the two.

Hacks co-creator and writer Paul W. Downs takes on the role of Jimmy after a successful career as a co-producer and actor in Ilana Glazer i Abi Jacobson's Wide City. Downs has also appeared in At Home with Amy Sedaris, The Mindy Project, Inside Amy Schumerand as a voice actor a Harley Quinn i American Dad!.

Megan Stalter

Kayla

Kayla is Jimmy's assistant and the daughter of Jimmy's boss. Her laid-back attitude makes her a terrible assistant, but her natural buzz is hilarious. Season 2 saw Kayla become more likable, leaving her father's agency along with Jimmy when they try to reassign Deborah to a new client. The dynamic between Kayla and Jimmy is one of the best parts of the series, and fans are excited for more shenanigans between the two as Season 3 arrives.

Hacks it was a breakout moment for actress Megan Stalter, whose character Kayla was an instant fan favorite. Stalter recently appeared in the comedy trio Please do not destroythe peacock movie, Please Do Not Destroy: The Legend of Misty Mountainas well as acting as a correspondent to The Eric Andre Show. His upcoming independent film, Cora Borahits theaters June 14. In addition to acting, Stalter is a stand-up comedian, often performing at Los Angeles' famous theater, The Largo.

Poppy Liu

kiki

Kiki is Deborah's personal blackjack dealer. Kiki arrives at Deborah's estate to work for her, befriending Ava in the process. Kiki becomes a confidant and sounding board for Ava, who, in Season 1, is completely overwhelmed by Deborah and the size of her world. In Season 2, Deborah takes Kiki to Memphis to unwind after a series of bombed-out performances.

Actress Poppy Liu recently starred in the second season of Apple TV+ The after partyas well as the animated film Paramount+, The Tiger's Apprentice. Liu has also appeared in the Prime series Dead Ringersas well as World History: Part II i Better call Saul starring Bob Odenkirk.

New cast members

In addition to returning fan favorites, Hacks has announced that it has added Back to the future i addams family icon Christopher Lloyd to your cast, as well as Crazy for You's Helen Hunt, Oppenheimer's Tony Goldwyn, The return producer and actor Dan Bucatinsky, mad men actress Christina Hendricksand comedian George Wallace. While it hasn't been confirmed what storylines these guest actors will bring to Deborah's life, their resumes are sure signs of some fun performances in Season 3.

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