‘Hacks’ co-creators reveal details of season 4 and return to 10 episodes

While campaigning for their Emmy nominations for Season 3, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky – the co-creators behind “Hacks” – are already busy working on what is already shaping up to be an explosive Season 4. In fact, the trio has discovered so much that they will produce ten full episodes again next year (up from nine in season 3 and eight in season 2).

“It feels like a season in which we want to do even more episodes than we had planned or agreed,” says Aniello. Variety‘s Awards Circuit podcast. “So we’re going to do ten episodes because we feel like there’s so much to say and do.”

Season 3 ended sharply when Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) landed her holy grail, a late night talk show, and then refused to give her protégé Ava (Hannah Einbinder) the head writer job. However, Ava has an ace up her sleeve and makes a powerful move that forces Deborah to give her the gig after all. That shift in the dynamic between the two should be interesting to watch, as should the behind-the-scenes machinations of launching a new late night show.

Aniello, Downs and Statsky caught up with Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast to talk all about what’s in store for ‘Hacks,’ while also reflecting on their Emmy-nominated season 3, which most critics agree is was the strongest Max comedy to date. Listen below!

Nearly two years have passed between the second and third seasons of “Hacks,” due to the Hollywood strikes and other issues, including health issues for star Smart. But when “Hacks” finally came back, wow, did it ever come back? Season 3 started with Smart’s character, legendary comedian Deborah Vance, back on top.

A career revival isn’t all she was hoping for, however, as she no longer feels challenged and finds herself sliding back into “hack” territory. When a talk show opportunity arises, Deborah sees a new challenge. But to make it happen she needs Ava, and soon their estranged relationship is repaired.

“Hacks” earned 16 Emmy nominations this year, including for comedy series, comedy writing for co-creators Aniello, Downs and Statsky, comedy directing for Aniello, comedy lead actress for Smart, supporting comedy actress for Einbinder, supporting comedy actor for Downs and more.

Aniello, Downs and Statsky — who previously won an Emmy for writing in 2021, while Aniello also won for directing that year — say this year’s nominations are particularly satisfying given the long hiatus.

“We took such a long break,” Downs says. “You never know, because things are moving so fast and there are so many great shows, you don’t want to get lost in the shuffle. It felt so good to come back and see people watching and reacting well. And our crew has been waiting for us for two attacks, so it is very satisfying that many of them are recognized.”

Looking ahead to season 4, the group says it was easy to break out of the powerful standoff between Deborah and Ava. It was about figuring out the rest of the puzzle pieces.

“There’s such a driving element to Deborah and Ava’s relationship, where it is now, that it seems like that new dynamic defines everything,” Statsky says. “That’s the basis for everything, and the late night show has been Deborah’s white whale for so long. There are a lot of things we’ve been waiting for that we can do now.”

Statsky started her career writing for “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” so she brings quite a bit of knowledge about how those shows work. And the trio also watched old episodes of “Larry Sanders” to find inspiration for a show about a late-night show.

“I think the biggest challenge is that ‘Hacks’ is a comedy about comedy,” says Downs. “Now that we’re doing a season that’s about late night, there’s so much to wrap your arms around. There’s a lot we want to say about the changing landscape of comedy and the changing landscape of late night.”

Hence the decision to make ten episodes in season 4. Statsky adds: “I think comedy has changed so much and is in kind of a precarious state right now. “Larry Sanders” is great. We love it, but it feels so from another time. And so, if we’re going to write this show in 2024, it’s helpful to look at it and say, “They did a great job, but it feels very different from what we do.”

‘Hacks’ Season 4 will begin filming in September, with a view to premiering in early May 2025.

Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, hosted by Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Emily Longeretta, Jenelle Riley and also producing Michael Schneider, is your one-stop source for lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each episode features “Awards Circuit” interviews with top film and TV talent and creatives, discussions and debates on awards races and industry news, and more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or wherever you get podcasts.