Hacksis back for Season 4, and it shows the potential to split our sides more than ever. Audiences expect the power struggle between Deborah and Ava to reach new, exciting heights. We have already seen their feud, unexpected betrayals, and some new characters in the first two episodes, which premiered on Max on April 10. With all the politics and pettiness afoot inHacksthis season, it is important to keep the who’s who and dynamics straight. Here’s your guide to all the characters inHacksSeason 4 (and the actors that play them).
Returning Characters
Jean Smart as Deborah Vance
Hackswould not beHackswithout the iconicJean Smartas stand-up legendDeborah Vance. Smart haswon six Emmysover the course of her career, with three being for her performance onHacks. After decades in television, theater, and comedy, her star-solidifying turn onHacksalso earned her three Golden Globes and three Stage Actors Guild Awards. Smart has even been nominated for a Grammy Award.
Needless to say, Deborah (and the actress who portrays her) are the very heart ofHacks. In Season 4, Deborah is embarking on a new creative odyssey: hosting late-night (and being the first woman to ever hold the slot). This season, we expect to see her at her most hilarious, unhinged, and unrelenting as her complicated relationships with Ava, Jimmy, Marcus, and all of her previously loyal followers potentially start to devolve.
Hannah Einbender as Ava Daniels
Of course,Hannah Einbenderwill also be returning asAva Daniels, the other half of our toxic dynamic duo. A bisexual young writer who initially had to start working for Deborah after being canceled on Twitter, Ava is the sardonic, clumsy, and at times misguided mirror to all of Deborah’s insecurities as a woman in comedy (as well as her personal punching bag, often).
At the end of Season 3,Ava blackmailed Deborahinto giving her the head writer job on her Late Night Show, launching their on-again-off-again feud into an all-out war in the first two episodes of Season 4. For her work onHacks, Daniels has been nominated for three Emmys, three Critics' Choice Awards, and three Golden Globes.
Carl Clemons-Hopkins as Marcus
Carl Clemons-Hopkinswas in the middle of switching career trajectories and applying to business school when they bookedHacks. For portrayingMarcus, Deborah’s advisor, COO, and right-hand man (fun fact: they starred inHamiltonas well),Clemons-Hopkins has been nominated for an Emmy.
Marcus is instrumental to Deborah’s life and career, but in Season 4, he is making plans to sell her domain and step down from his position. We have already seen how much this devastates Deborah, creating a further rift between her and those she loves most. It is apparent that Marcus will be central to this season’s conflict.
Paul W. Downs as Jimmy
AnyHacksfan would recognizePaul W. Downsas the actor who plays Deborah and Ava’s manager,Jimmy LaSaque, or maybe even from his earlier turn as the priceless personal trainer Trey onBroad City. However, fewer might know that Downs is also one of the show’s creators and executive producers. He collaborates on the show with his wife, Lucia Aniello, whom he met doing improv. As for Jimmy, he has a lot on his plate in Season 4, now that both of his biggest clients are working on a risky late-night showandfeuding. Also, he’s got Kayla to worry about…
Meg Stalter as Kayla
First gaining notoriety online and in the Chicago comedy scene,Meg Stalterhad an unforgettable breakout role inHacksasKayla, Jimmy’s assistant turned business partner. The hysterical Stalter has already beencast as the lead in Lena Dunham’supcoming television seriesToo Much. Kayla is an instrumental energy inHacks' special comedic gumbo, reliably bringing chaos with her everywhere she goes. This season, Kayla is setting out to prove herself capable of doing the work and making Jimmy proud.
And Many More!
There are many other familiar faces that fans can expect to see:
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New Characters and Guest Stars
Hackshas hosted an impressive number of comedy and television legends in its cast over the years, from Patton Oswalt to Christopher Lloyd to Margaret Cho. Here’s who is joining the ranks in Season 4.
Carol Burnett as Herself
You would be hard-pressed to find a bigger influence in comedy — let alone a bigger female influence in comedy — thanCarol Burnett. Thus, it is only natural forHacks, a show concerned with the unique obstacles women face in comedy, to feature the woman who, in so many ways, broke the glass ceiling.
According to anexclusive with Entertainment Weekly, Burnett will be playing herself in the fourth episode of this season and will be offering Deborah a bit of friendly advice, funny woman to funny woman, in what is a rare moment of stage fright for the fictional comedian. On working again with Burnett (the two previously played mother and daughter on an episode ofHot in Cleveland), Smart said, “There’s nobody like her in terms of comedy and in terms of just being an incredibly cool human being.”
Jimmy Kimmel as Himself
Another huge name in comedy, Jimmy Kimmel, has been confirmed forHacksSeason 4, representing another one of the season’s major niches: Late Night Comedy.Kimmel will also play himself, but in the fifth episode of the season, although he and Deborah will reportedly have a less congenial relationship. Deborah will try to poach one of Kimmel’s guests for her own Late Night Show, causing Kimmel to confront her.
Robby Hoffman as Randi
Fans have been particularly excited to see the addition ofRobby Hoffmanto theHackscast. The writer, stand-up comedian, and queer icon is best known for shows likeWorkin' Momsand being married to the first openly lesbian Bachelorette, Gabby Windey. InHacksSeason 4, she has already made her hilarious debut as KaylaandJimmy’s new assistant, Randi. According to IMDb, we can expect to see Hoffman throughout the rest of the season.
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Jake Shane as Social Media Girlie and Others
Social media and podcast sensation Jake Shane, who currently boasts about 5 million followers across platforms, is, fittingly, slated to play a character named “Social Media Girlie” in a few episodes ofHacksSeason 4. With public image tensions high at late-night and the digital age more nebulous than ever, we can only imagine how this character might create a perfect thunderstorm for Deborah and the team.
Julianne Nicholson (I, Tonya), Bresha Webb (Run the World), Eric Balfour (Six Feet Under), and Michaela Watkins (Abbott Elementary) are also among those expected to be seen this season in recurring or guest roles. With so many legends in one cast,we cannot wait to see what unfolds.
