When “Hacks” returns for a third season it will have been almost two years, yes two years, since its season two premiere. That wasn’t the plan. Originally, “Hacks” would have arrived in time to qualify for the 2023 Emmy Awards, but a heart procedure for star Jean Smart understandably delayed matters. Then, the SAG and WGA strikes pushed production back even further. Now, fans can rejoice that one of the last vestiges of the HBO Max era is returning to streaming on May 2. And, just in time for the 2024 Emmy Award season.
READ MORE: Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks and Christopher Lloyd will guest star in “Hacks” season 3
According to Max, the longline for season 3 is the following: “A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.” Based on still photography from the show, it appears Ava may also have a new love interest portrayed by “Mad Men” veteran Christina Hendricks.
The season 3 cast includes Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, and Lorenza Izzo. This season’s guest stars include Hendricks, Helen Hunt, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Bucatinsky, George Wallace, and Tony Goldwyn. It does not appear fan favorite Laurie Metcalf or season one and two cast member Johnny Siibilly will be back this season.
Created by Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky, “Hacks” has been nominated for 32 Emmy Awards over just two seasons including two Comedy Series noms. Smart won Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the series in both 2021 and 2022. She also won the equivalent SAG Awards for both seasons. The program is also a Peabody Award, PGA, DGA, and WGA Award winner. How its third season will stack up against last year, er, January’s Emmy favorite, “The Bear,” and “Abbott Elementary,” may be one of the best subplots in an Emmy season expected to have substantially fewer category nominees.
“Hacks” returns to Max on May 2.