Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels are bracing for their third act, but in order for Ava to move forward in this relationship, she’s got some serious conditions to discuss.
Hacks‘ long-awaited Season 3 is officially set to release Thursday, May 2 on Max, TVLine has learned, starting with two episodes. Two additional episodes will release weekly until its season finale drops on May 30, for a total of nine episodes.
In the new trailer released Tuesday (watch it embedded above), the women randomly bump into each other after Ava learns that Deborah hired two new writers to replace her. But when they eventually rekindle their working relationship (and friendship?), Ava tries to set up a few boundaries in order to keep Deborah in line. On a more serious note, Deborah is then seen saying, “Anything I want to do I have to do now,” before she’s waiting backstage somewhere with a very nervous look on her face.
Season 2 streamed May 12 through June 2, 2022 — shortly after which Season 3 was ordered. Production on Season 3 began in December 2022 but then paused in February 2023, as series lead Jean Smart underwent and recovered from an undisclosed heart procedure. Production resumed in mid-March but paused again for the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
In last season’s finale, Deborah’s latest special became a huge success, with networks and streamers fighting over it and every press outlet in town wanting to interview her. At a lavish party to celebrate the project’s good fortune, Deborah made a shocking call to fire Ava despite how well the two were getting on, telling her young mentee that Ava needed to make space for her own work and creativity. (It’s been a while, so refreshen yourself with our full finale recap here.)
Scroll down to learn everything we know about Season 3 so far — plus, see some first photos!
Season 3 will be set one full year after the events of the Season 2 finale. “Deborah Vance (Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special, while Ava (Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles,” reads its official description.
What brings them back together — and how Jimmy and Kayla are involved — remains a mystery.
The critically acclaimed comedy has added Helen Hunt (Mad About You), Christina Hendricks (Good Girls), Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), Dan Bucatinsky (Scandal), George Wallace (Hubie Halloween) and Tony Goldwyn (Law & Order) as guest stars for its highly anticipated third season. Character details (including who might be playing themselves) remain TBD.
In addition, J. Smith-Cameron (Succession) will be recurring as a guest star. Per Variety, her character details are also being kept under wraps.
Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs, who’ve appeared as the dynamic duo Jimmy and Kayla since Season 1, have been upgraded to series regulars. Downs co-created the show with Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky, and serves as a co-showrunner, EP, writer and director in addition to acting.
In late February, Max released the very first photos for the upcoming third season. Scroll down to catch your first glimpses of Deborah, Ava, Jimmy, Kayla and so many more!
Thrilled but worth the wait. Hacks is one of my favourite shows and Jean Smart is tremendously funny. The writing is so good, which is hard to find a lot of times.
When you say they have set a return, I assumed you meant a return date. “Spring” is not specific enough for you to post a message like this.
It’s been updated to May 2nd.
I absolutely love this show, but I am honestly not waiting for season 3.
Season 2 was the absolute perfect way to end the show. I feel like a third season is going to be too much.
Spring? I clicked the link expecting a hard date!
You should ask for your money back. Oh wait…
I’m mainly just pleased that Jean Smart is healthy enough to continue. But I am definitely thrilled to have a new season coming.
Hurry UP! Love this series
Christina Hendricks going gay? I’m so there.
I am sooooo excited for this!
Christina Hendricks and Ava?! Go Ava!!
Dear downvoter, not watching this show is free. 😉
So excited for this! Just hope if this is the final season it has closure. I feel like Zaslav is sure to cancel this. Or order and film another season for tax write off purposes…
Were Deb and Ava making out?! Yes!!
This makes me so happy. Hacks is the ONE show I’ve been waiting for.
I love Jean Smart so much. It’s almost as if she was born to plane Deborah Vance.
Play not plane. :)
Watched the 1st 2 episodes last night – what a treat. This duo is a killer. So glad that they are working together again (even if others in their orbit are not). Not only did Ava save her from that yellow monstrosity, but she clearly understands her voice. What was up with the new writers and their pitches… how is a Dobby joke a good fit for her? If the show goes where I think it is going, Deborah needs Ava.