Hacks is having a night at the Emmys. After defeating fan-favorite Ted Lasso in the comedic writing and directing categories, star Jean Smart also earned a trophy for her lead performance as comedian Deborah Vance in HBO Max's freshman hit.
The wins are just a further testament of the show's sleeper success after debuting this summer. Created by Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky, Hacks follows Smart's Vance, a comedic legend and Las Vegas staple, as she takes on—and clashes with—a new mentee and budding writer, Ava (Hannah Einbinder).
After a 10-episode first season, day-one viewers and new fans are in luck: there'll be more Hacks to come. Here's what we know so far.
Has Hacks been renewed?
Yes. HBO confirmed the news in June 2021, days before the Hacks season 1 finale even aired.
“We have been blown away by the positive reception to Hacks—we owe this renewal to every single person who tuned into the show and then told a friend to watch,” Downs, Aniello, and Statsky said in a joint statement.
“I am absolutely thrilled we are picked up for a second season and I told Hannah it’s ‘No more Miss Nice Guy; from now on it’s Bette and Joan! And guess who’s BETTE??!!’” Smart added at the time.
When will it premiere?
That's still unclear. Speaking to The Wrap in June 2021, Aniello revealed that the script was not yet written. “We’re really excited that we get to continue to tell the story because first chapter’s done but we’re excited. We’ve got a lot more plans,” she said.
For reference, Hacks season 1 premiered on May 13, 2021.
What will it be about?
Plot details are still up in the air, but the show creators did voice some ideas at the ATX TV Festival. “I think ultimately, while we don’t know the specifics, what we set out to do in this story is to set Ava, Deborah and everyone in their ecosystem on a road to redemption and emotional happiness,” Down said, per Deadline. “So, I think we want to continue down that path. As you’ve seen in the show, it’s typically one step forward, two steps back, but that’s where the fun and games are.”
Einbinder added, “I guess I want [Ava and Deborah] to really take on the world together. If there is any sort of force of evil, I want them to be the force of good fighting it, side by side,” the actress said. “I want [Ava] to grow, and I want her to do whatever Paul and Jen and Lucia want her to do—and I’ll be there to do it, baby.”
