As we prepare for the 32nd Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA, Backstage is breaking down this year’s film and television ensemble nominees for your consideration.
Main cast: Paul W. Downs‚ Hannah Einbinder‚ Jean Smart‚ and Megan Stalter
Casting by: Nicole Abellera‚ Linda Lowy‚ Jeanne McCarthy‚ and Morgan Smith
Created by: Lucia Aniello‚ Paul W. Downs‚ and Jen Statsky
Distributed by: HBO Max
The “Hacks” cast goes Hollywood on Season 4. Living legend Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) has launched her dream late-night show and protégé Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) heads up its writers room. But in true Deborah-and-Ava fashion, this professional zenith comes at the expense of their relationship; a Season 3 finale betrayal left them bitter enemies at the worst possible time.
Since their first-ever scene together, it’s been a joy watching Smart and Einbinder spin the dial calibrating their characters’ love-hate relationship. This season let them play the extremes of that dynamic, to gripping effect.
At the depths of mutual disgust, the actors embrace and murmur hateful words through smiles during a glamorous photo shoot. But such enmity only makes inevitable moments of devotion—a desperate dip in the ocean by Smart, a frantic run through a Singapore hotel by Einbinder—sweeter.
To capture the comic genius of the “Hacks” ensemble, though, remember a single word: boofing. If you know, you know. If you don’t, watch the ninth episode of Season 4, stat.
In an outrageous, indelible scene, talent agents Jimmy LuSaque Jr. (Paul W. Downs) and Kayla Schaeffer (Megan Stalter) consider an illegal, physically compromising tactic to revive a barely conscious Dance Mom (guest star Julianne Nicholson) right before show time. Pure mayhem, expertly performed.
Just like the characters they play, the “Hacks” ensemble members really know how to put on a show.