For the Sake of Ava

Hacks is an American dark comedy drama television series created by Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky that premiered on May 13, 2021, on HBO Max. It follows Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a stand-up comedian, and her comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), as they navigate the evolving dynamics of their professional partnership and personal lives within the contemporary comedy industry. The series concluded on May 28, 2026, after five seasons and 47 episodes. Hacks received critical acclaim and won a number of major awards, including five nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series, winning that award for its third season. Its first and third seasons won the Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Comedy Series and the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy, and its third season won the Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy. Smart's performance won her five Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the first actress in history to win for all seasons of a multi-season show. She also earned three Screen Actors Guild Awards, four Critics' Choice Awards, two Television Critics Association Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. Einbinder received five Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, winning in 2025. Other members of the cast who received Emmy nominations include Downs (two nominations), Carl Clemons-Hopkins (one nomination), and Megan Stalter (one nomination).