HBO Max wants more Hacks from where the first two seasons came from. Weeks after the season 2 premiere, the series has been officially renewed at HBO Max for a third season, per The Hollywood Reporter. The news was confirmed by Sarah Aubrey, head of originals for HBO Max.
“We congratulate Hacks’ extraordinarily gifted executive producers and cast, and our partners at Universal Television. We are overjoyed at the audience and press response to the new season, and glad to give viewers more of this gorgeous, hilarious, moving show,” Aubrey said.
Erin Underhill, president of Universal TV, added: “The first two seasons of Hacks — expertly crafted by Lucia, Paul and Jen — gave us beloved, complex characters who make us laugh and feel deeply. We’re thrilled that our HBO Max partners have renewed this standout series for a third season, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for Deborah, Ava and the rest of our outstanding ensemble."
Hacks was created by Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky. The series stars Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, and Carl Clemons-Hopkins. The cast also features Christopher McDonald, Kaitlin Olson, Downs, Poppy Liu, Rose Abdoo, Mark Indelicato, Meg Stalter, Angela E. Gibbs, Luenell, Johnny Sibilly, Joe Mande, Ally Maki, and Lorenza Izzo.
You can read the official logline below.
"A dark mentorship forms between Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comic, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old comedy writer."
Hacks Season 2 Was Written as a Potential Finale
There was no guarantee that Hacks would get renewed, so efforts were made for season 2's finale to also potentially serve as a satisfying series finale. Downs spoke about the thought process in writing the end of season 2 in a previous interview with EW before the news of the renewal had been made official.
"We wanted to feel like there was resolution and it was really satisfying," Downs said. "And I think when you feel really satisfied at the end, it can often feel like something final. But Lucia said this, so I'm going to steal her quote. We feel like this is only the second chapter in a larger story that we want to tell. And when we pitched the show, we actually pitched where the series would end, which is not what you saw in episode 8 of season 2."
He added, "But yeah, I think we just wanted it to feel like there was resolution to this season, but also make it a cliffhanger in itself because it's sort of like: What does the future hold for these two women?"
"Paul and Jen and I are in the same space because we're already meeting and talking about what we want to do moving forward," Aniello also said, revealing they had begun work on season 3 before the renewal was official. "So creatively, we are moving forward and thinking about it because we're just so excited, but we haven't officially been told to do so exactly."
You can stream the first two seasons of Hacks on HBO Max. Season 3 does not yet have a premiere date.