Production Wraps on Final Season of 'Hacks'

Production on the fifth and final season of the HBO Max series "Hacks" has concluded, with principal photography ending in Las Vegas and the series finale filmed in Paris, including at the Louvre Museum. The final season premieres on April 9, with the series finale scheduled to air on May 28.

Series Overview

"Hacks" was created by Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky, and Paul W. Downs. The series focuses on the professional and personal relationship between veteran comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and young writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder).

The show concluded after five seasons, which the creators stated was their planned timeline from the outset, though they reportedly considered extending the series.

The show received multiple Emmy Awards, including four for Jean Smart, one for Hannah Einbinder, and the Outstanding Comedy award in 2024.

Final Season Storylines

The fifth season depicts Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels working together to rebuild Deborah's legacy after her departure from a late-night talk show. The narrative shows their relationship as more collaborative compared to previous seasons. Key storylines include:

• An episode set in Montecito where Deborah and Ava pretend to be in a relationship
• A crossover episode with "The Amazing Race," featuring Deborah and her daughter DJ (Kaitlin Olson)
• A May-December romance for Deborah with a younger character played by Christopher Briney

"We started with just the three of us, and then we ballooned... and then it comes back to just being very, very few people again."
— Creator Lucia Aniello

Production History and Challenges

Initial Development

The series concept was rejected by multiple networks in 2019 before being picked up by HBO Max.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Production for Season 1 began under strict COVID-19 protocols, with additional precautions taken to protect Jean Smart due to pre-existing health conditions.

Personal Loss

Jean Smart's husband, Richard Gilliland, died in March 2021, shortly before Season 1 concluded. Smart completed filming for the season.

Health Incidents

• In February 2023, Jean Smart underwent triple bypass surgery after experiencing symptoms during filming. She completed a day of shooting before seeking medical attention.
• Smart sustained a broken kneecap in summer 2023 during a Broadway performance.
• Showrunner Lucia Aniello went into labor while directing a Season 2 episode and continued working remotely.

External Events

The production navigated industry strikes, wildfires in Los Angeles, and other medical events and births on set.

Louvre Filming Challenges

Filming the series finale at the Louvre Museum faced multiple obstacles:

• On October 19, masked thieves stole French Crown Jewels from the museum in broad daylight
• Following the theft, the Louvre tightened security protocols and initially denied the film crew access
• Louvre employees went on strike over working conditions and pay
• The museum's president resigned in February, further delaying decisions
• The production team secured a backup location at the Palace of Versailles, but later canceled that arrangement

The Louvre eventually granted permission under strict conditions: only 12 crew members could enter, filming was limited to two areas while the museum was open to the public, and all equipment had to be hand-carried without pre-rigging. A scene featuring the Mona Lisa required superimposing actors via visual effects.

"They were like a dog with a bone, and they just kept begging."
— Jean Smart, on the production team's persistence

Cast and Crew Statements

Cast members, including Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Rose Abdoo, Mark Indelicato, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, and Megan Stalter, expressed gratitude for their time on the series. Hannah Einbinder noted that the show provided her with a career transition from stand-up comedian to actress.