"Hacks" Cast and Creators Leave Door Open for Future Return

The cast and creators of HBO's "Hacks" gathered April 9 to celebrate the fifth and final season premiere, with multiple cast members and showrunners indicating they would consider reviving the series. Hannah Einbinder, Jean Smart, and showrunners Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky all declined to rule out a potential reboot.

When asked directly about a reboot, Einbinder told Variety, "Of course I would. Any excuse to be with my people." The three showrunners responded in unison when posed the same question: "We would never say never. We love these characters, we love this world, we love everybody in the ensemble. Right now we feel good about going out without overstaying our welcome — but you won't have to twist my arm."

Smart, who plays Deborah Vance, reflected on the show's central relationship between her character and Einbinder's Ava Daniels. "I can't think of a relationship like Ava's and Deborah's that has been in a movie or on television," Smart said. "I think the writers just seem to outdo themselves and raise the bar every single solitary season. This may be my favorite season."

Megan Stalter, who plays Marcus, added levity to the possibility. "Yes. For free — or $5 million that I can share with the cast," she said when asked if she would return for a reboot. Mark Indelicato, who plays Deborah's assistant Damien, credited the show with revitalizing his career. "Paul, Lucia and Jen gave me an opportunity where there really wasn't that much opportunity for me at the time," he said. "They reinvigorated my career — and not just my hirability, but my love for what it is that we do."

The 10-episode final season premiered April 9 on Max and will conclude May 28. The showrunners also confirmed they are developing a new project in early stages at HBO, though specifics have not been disclosed.

Context

"Hacks" debuted in 2021 and became one of HBO's most decorated comedies, earning multiple Emmy Awards including Outstanding Comedy Series. The show tracked the unlikely partnership between Deborah, a veteran Las Vegas stand-up comedian, and Ava, a young comedy writer, as they navigated personal and professional challenges across five seasons.

Einbinder was 24 years old when the series began, and she described her time on the show as formative. "I feel like I grew up and became a human being on this show," she said. "It's a whole Saturn Return and a half." The ensemble cast also included Robby Hoffman, Rose Abdoo, and others who attended the April 9 celebration.

What's Next

While the showrunners emphasized satisfaction with the series' five-season arc, their stated willingness to revisit the material suggests the door remains genuinely open rather than ceremonially closed. The May 28 series finale will provide clarity on how definitively the story concludes, and the undisclosed HBO project in early development could occupy the creative team's attention in the near term. If audience reception to the final season remains strong, network interest in a future revival could intensify.