The Emmy-winning series starring Jean Smart returns May 12.
After debuting to critical acclaim on May 13, 2021, Hacks is back with season 2. The HBO Max series starring Jean Smart is set to premiere almost exactly one year later, on May 12, 2022. Ahead of its anticipated return, the streaming platform has shared the first full trailer for the upcoming eight new episodes.
Set to the Elton John classic, “The Bitch Is Back,” the trailer offers a more in-depth look at what’s to come as Deborah Vance (Smart) and writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder) continue to work together as they take the legendary comedian’s standup act on a national tour across the country. And like the first season, the series promises to deliver upon its unique blend of biting wit and plenty of heart.
“I think it’s going to be every bit as good as season one if not better, because second seasons are always scary,” Smart recently told ET of the new episodes. “Especially if you’re a big hit the first season, everybody’s going, ‘OK, just show me.’”
And indeed season 1 was, earning 15 Emmy nominations and winning three for acting (Smart), writing (co-creators and co-showrunners Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky) and Comedy Series.
In addition to Smart and Einbinder, the returning cast includes fellow Emmy acting nominees, Carl Clemons-Hopkins as Deborah’s COO Marcus and Jane Adams as Ava’s mother Nina.
The rest of the ensemble includes Downs as Deborah and Ava’s manager Jimmy, Christopher McDonald as casino owner Marty Ghilain, Kaitlin Olson as Deborah’s daughter DJ, Poppy Liu as Kiki, Rose Abdoo as Josefina, Mark Indelicato as Damien, Meg Stalter as Kayla, Angela E. Gibbs as Marcus’ mother Robin, Johnny Sibilly as Wilson, and Lorenza Izzo as Ruby.
“I just cannot wait for everyone to see the second season,” Indelicato said, referring to the “amazing” season 2 guest stars, incuding Laurie Metcalf, who is finally seen as the road manager in the trailer, Martha Kelly, Ming-Na Wen, Margaret Cho and Devon Sawa. “It’s absolutely wild.”
Even Smart couldn’t stop gushing about the added star power. “Oh my God. Wait ‘til you see wait [them],” she said, adding it was “so much fun” having them on set.
Hacks season 2 premieres Thursday, May 12 on HBO Max with two episodes. The remaining new episodes will debut weekly until June 2.
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