The story
Las Vegas comedy queen Deborah Vance has headlined the same casino for years, and her act is starting to show its age. Ava Daniels, a sharp but self-absorbed young writer, has torched her own career with one careless tweet. Thrown together when Ava is hired to freshen up Deborah's material, the pair clash over generations, taste and ego, yet slowly forge a prickly partnership that reshapes both their careers and lives.
Why it matters
Hacks became one of HBO Max's most decorated comedies, crowned by the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series for its third season. Jean Smart's five Emmys made her the first actress to win for every season of a multi-season show, proof that a streaming original could build a hit around a veteran star.
Notable facts
- Jean Smart won five Primetime Emmys for the role, becoming the first actress to win for every season of a multi-season show. (source)
- Because of COVID-19 precautions, Jean Smart and Carl Clemons-Hopkins did not meet in person until minutes before the pilot was filmed. (source)
- Both its first and third seasons won the Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy. (source)
- Its streaming home was rebranded as Max between 2023 and 2025, before reverting to its original HBO Max name. (source)