7 Shocking New Details About The Hacks Cast: Season 4 Updates & Latest 2025 Projects

The cast of the Emmy-winning Max series Hacks remains one of the most dynamic and celebrated ensembles in modern television, with the electric chemistry between its leads driving the show's massive success. As of December 12, 2025, the show is riding high on the critical acclaim of its recent third season, which took a darker, more complex turn in the relationship between legendary comedian Deborah Vance and her young, troubled writer, Ava Daniels. The latest news confirms that the show has been officially renewed for a highly anticipated fourth season, promising more razor-sharp comedy and emotional depth from its stellar cast and creative team.

The core cast members—Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, and Paul W. Downs—have not only continued to deliver career-defining performances but have also been busy with new projects outside of Las Vegas and Hollywood. This article dives into the updated biographies, recent 2025 career moves, and the surprising new additions that have kept the world of Hacks fresh, unique, and continually relevant. We explore the latest on the actors behind Deborah, Ava, Marcus, and Jimmy, and what their futures hold as they prepare for a new chapter of the Max series.

The Core Cast: Biographies and Latest 2025 Projects

The heart of Hacks lies in its central relationship, which is brought to life by two generational talents. Their recent work outside the show provides fresh context to their roles as Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels.

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Jean Smart as Deborah Vance

• Role: Deborah Vance, a legendary, yet aging, Las Vegas stand-up comedian fighting to stay relevant and finally achieving her dream of a successful special.
• Recent News: Smart’s performance in Season 3 continued to garner massive praise, following her win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series at the Primetime Emmy Awards.
• Notable Projects (Post-Hacks): Smart’s diverse career continues to include both film and television. She is known for iconic roles in shows like Designing Women, Frasier, 24, and the critically lauded limited series Mare of Easttown. In 2024, she was involved in the documentary project Janis Ian: Breaking Silence.
• Topical Authority Entities: Jean Smart, Deborah Vance, Designing Women, Mare of Easttown, Primetime Emmy Awards, Outstanding Lead Actress.

Hannah Einbinder as Ava Daniels

• Role: Ava Daniels, a young, disgraced bisexual comedy writer from Los Angeles who is forced to work for Deborah Vance, creating a volatile but loving partnership.
• Recent News: Einbinder, who had little on-screen acting experience before Hacks, has become a three-time Emmy nominee for the role of Ava.
• Latest 2025 Project: Cementing her status as a dual-threat performer, Einbinder released her first stand-up comedy special, Hannah Einbinder: Everything Must Go, which premiered on Max in June 2024. This project directly mirrors the stand-up world of Hacks and showcases her real-life comedic chops.
• Topical Authority Entities: Hannah Einbinder, Ava Daniels, Stand-up Comedy, Everything Must Go, Emmy Nominee, Max.

Carl Clemons-Hopkins as Marcus

• Role: Marcus, Deborah's loyal, intense, and high-strung Chief Operating Officer (COO) who manages her business empire and often clashes with Ava.
• Recent News: Clemons-Hopkins was nominated for an Emmy for their work in the first season and continues to explore the character's personal life and professional ambition in Season 3. They were recently spotted at a Post-Emmys Reception in September 2024.
• Notable Projects: Outside of Hacks, Clemons-Hopkins has appeared in major projects like the 2021 horror film Candyman, The Beanie Bubble (2023), and the TV series The Chi.
• Topical Authority Entities: Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Marcus, Chief Operating Officer, Candyman, The Beanie Bubble, The Chi.

Paul W. Downs as Jimmy LuSaque

• Role: Jimmy LuSaque, Deborah and Ava's long-suffering and often overlooked talent manager, who is also the son of Deborah's original manager. Downs is also a co-creator, writer, and co-showrunner of the series.
• Recent News: Downs, alongside co-creators Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky, accepted the award for Outstanding Comedy Series at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2024. He has spoken in recent interviews about the "tension and complexity" of Season 3's storyline.
• Topical Authority Entities: Paul W. Downs, Jimmy LuSaque, Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky, Co-Creator, Co-Showrunner, Outstanding Comedy Series.

Season 3's Shocking Guest Stars and The Road to Season 4

The third season of Hacks, which saw Deborah Vance finally achieve success and Ava Daniels move on to a successful writing career, was a whirlwind of professional and personal betrayal. The season’s narrative was significantly enhanced by a roster of high-profile guest stars, demonstrating the show's prestige in Hollywood.

The season featured a number of big names who appeared in guest or recurring roles, often playing themselves or characters within Deborah's expanded professional orbit. These additions elevated the star power and comedic depth of the series.

The Season 3 Guest Star Lineup

The list of guest stars for the highly-anticipated third season was impressive, adding new layers of conflict and comedy to the narrative.

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• Tony Goldwyn: Known for his roles in Scandal and Oppenheimer, Goldwyn's appearance added a new dynamic to Deborah's personal life.
• Helen Hunt: The Oscar and Emmy-winning actress brought her considerable talent to the show in a key role.
• Christina Hendricks: Known for Mad Men and Good Girls, Hendricks's involvement was a surprise for fans.
• Christopher Lloyd: The legendary actor from Back to the Future and Taxi made a memorable cameo.
• George Wallace: A real-life stand-up comedy legend, his presence further anchored the show's focus on the comedy world.

The Confirmed Season 4 Renewal

The third season concluded with a shocking cliffhanger, leaving the future of Deborah and Ava's relationship uncertain. However, the future of the show is secure. Max officially announced the renewal of Hacks for a fourth season in late May 2024, the same day the Season 3 finale dropped.

Co-creator Paul W. Downs has hinted that Season 4 will continue to explore themes of "corporate greed" within Hollywood, suggesting an evolution of the show's satirical edge. The new season is expected to address the fallout from the Season 3 finale's major twist, which saw the show's central relationship fracture in a way fans hadn't seen before.

The Scene Stealers: Recurring Characters and Creators

While the focus is often on Deborah and Ava, the world of Hacks is populated by a rich ensemble of recurring characters who provide much of the show’s comedic relief and emotional grounding. These players are essential to the show's success and its ability to achieve topical authority in the comedy-drama space.

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The Unforgettable Supporting Cast

Several actors consistently steal scenes, becoming fan favorites and key pieces of the Hacks universe:

• Megan Stalter as Kayla: Stalter plays the loud, clueless, and hilariously chaotic assistant to Jimmy, often described as the ultimate "nepo-baby" of the entertainment industry. Stalter, a comedian herself, was a TikTok star before landing the role.
• Rose Abdoo as Josefina: Abdoo plays Deborah’s loyal, no-nonsense personal chef, Josefina. Abdoo is a well-known character actress, also famous for her role as Gypsy on Gilmore Girls.
• Kaitlin Olson as DJ: Olson, known for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, plays Deborah's estranged daughter, DJ, whose complicated relationship with her mother is a key emotional thread throughout the series.
• Mark Indelicato as Damien: Damien is Deborah’s personal assistant, whose exasperated reactions often provide a grounding counterpoint to the high-stakes chaos.

The Visionary Creators

The unique voice and sharp writing of Hacks are the work of its three co-creators: Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky, and Paul W. Downs. This trio has successfully crafted a multi-award-winning series that has earned both Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards, showcasing a fresh perspective on female relationships, generational divides, and the ruthless world of stand-up comedy.

The creators continue to be the driving force behind the show's narrative direction, ensuring that the exploration of its complex characters remains fresh and critically resonant. With the renewal for Season 4, fans can expect the creators to double down on the dramatic tension established in the last finale, ensuring Hacks remains a powerhouse in the streaming landscape.