‘Hacks’ renewed for Season 2 with starring Jean Smart, at HBO Max
The WarnerMedia-backed streamer has renewed breakout comedy Hacks for a second season. The news comes only a short time before the Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder series wraps its freshman run, with the last two scenes due June 10.
HBO Max, which like different streamers doesn’t release traditional viewership data, says Hacks has been a top entertainer on the platform since its debut. The series about an legendary Las Vegas jokester and the dark mentorship she forms with a outcast 25-year-old writer has been a top performer on the service, consistently ranking in its main 10 most viewed titles out of all available content.
From creators Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky, the series is executive produced by Mike Schur (The Good Place) and hails from Universal Television, marking a key off-network sale for the Universal Studio Group division.
“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,” co-creators and co-showrunners Downs (who also recurs), Aniello and Statsky said in a joint statement announcing the news Tuesday. “We are so grateful we get to continue, and want to thank our partners at HBO Max and Universal Television for supporting the show so fiercely, and our wonderful cast and crew for delivering on every level. Many years ago, we set out to tell a deeply important story that needed to be told — that of a handsome, charming talent manager and his two demanding female clients. We’re so glad that story resonated with audiences, and we can’t wait to get to work on season two. See you soon!”
The comedy has been a basic hit for HBO Max and at present has an uncommon 100% rating among analysts on total site Rotten Tomatoes (with a similarly amazing crowd score of 81%).
“We knew immediately that Lucia, Paul and Jen brought us a winner. We couldn’t be happier about the tremendous response from our viewers and critics alike, and we salute the executive producers; Jean, Hannah and the rest of the brilliant cast; and our partners at Universal,” said Sarah Aubrey, head of originals at HBO Max.
Hacks becomes the latest HBO Max original to return for a second season, joining The Flight Attendant, Love Life, TNT move Raised by Wolves, TBS import Search Party and Warrior, the last of which moved over from Cinemax. Still to be resolved is the situation with Made for Love, which is required to likewise return for a second season.
“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??!!’” said Smart, who has already been generating awards season buzz for her leading role.
“We are overjoyed that our partners at HBO Max have renewed Hacks for a second season! It’s been incredible to watch this breakout series redefine generational comedy with the phenomenal Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder expertly sparring to audiences’ delight,” said UTV president Erin Underhill. “Hats off to Lucia, Paul and Jen who each brought their distinct vision to this colorful world of characters. We can’t wait to watch what happens next with Deborah, Ava and the gang in Vegas.”
