If you watched the first season of the Emmy-winning and critically-acclaimed HBO Max comedy series “Hacks”—and you probably should if you didn’t, it’s a great conflict between two generations of comedians—you probably remember that things ended on a cliffhanger. The dark mentorship between legendary Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and her young, entitled writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder) is still very much touch and go.
And if you remember the details, well, Ava basically f*cked over Deborah, even though they had patched things up. So, season two of “Hacks,” which debuts on May 12 with two episodes, continues to evolve as the two travel across the country workshopping Deborah’s new stand-up act, though they’re likely going to have at least one falling out.
READ MORE: ‘Hacks‘ With Jean Smart Sharply Unpacks How Comedians Are Fundamentally Flawed [Review]
“It starts out really, really badly,” showrunners Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky recently told EW, so yeah, get ready for some fireworks.
“Guilt certainly is eating away at Ava the first few episodes, and I think after a while that becomes very apparent to Deborah,” Einbinder told EW, explaining that the “slaps are emotional this season.” Get ready for some more pointed barbs about talent or lack thereof.
“Hacks” also stars Carl Clemons-Hopkins and Jane Adams, who were nominated for Emmys for the first season. Returning cast members Christopher McDonald, Kaitlin Olson, Paul W. Downs, Poppy Liu, Rose Abdoo, Mark Indelicato, Meg Stalter, Angela E. Gibbs, Luenell, Johnny Sibilly, Joe Mande, Ally Maki, and Lorenza Izzo also star. New recurring guest stars Laurie Metcalf, Martha Kelly, Ming-Na Wen, and Susie Essman, and guest stars Margaret Cho and Devon Sawa join in the new season. “Hacks” season two premieres Thursday, May 12, with two episodes, and the eight-episode season continues with two new episodes a week, concluding on June 2. Watch the new trailer below.
