Let’s check out where you might have seen the stars of the hit comedy show Hacks before
BY ANFAL SHEYX, IMAGE BY HBO MAX
Hacks follows the tumultuous relationship between legendary stand-up comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and young comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) as they navigate the challenges women face in the entertainment industry while working together.
Ahead of the season five release of Hacks on 9 April on HBO Max (US), we’ve rounded up some of our favourite cast members to see where we’ve seen their familiar faces before.
Jean Smart
Get ready to be in awe of Jean Smart’s acting credits. This seven-time Emmy award winner first gained acclaim following her recurring role as Charlene Frazier on the CBS sitcom Designing Women (1986–1991). Jean went from playing a charming office manager to an overprotective sister in Sweet Home Alabama (2002) to a mother in Samantha Who? (2007-2009) and a mother in Mare Of Easttown (2021) before landing her role as Deborah Vance, as we all know and love her today in Hacks.
Hannah Einbinder
We might know this bisexual star as Ava Daniels in Hacks, but this actor started her career in stand-up comedy. Hannah became known for being one of the youngest people to make her national television stand-up comedy debut on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, before landing her role as a young comedy writer in Hacks. Hannah has since released her debut Max special, Everything Must Go (2024), as well as winning her first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress for Hacks (2025). You’ll also be able to see Hannah in Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma with Gillian Anderson later this year.
Carl Clemons-Hopkins
This non-binary actor got their start in theatre! Carl first started their career by performing in the Little Shop Of Horrors (2014) in Bristol and Hamilton (2016) in Chicago before moving on to short roles in films and television, including Chicago P.D. (2018) and The Chi (2018). In between being Deborah Vance’s hilarious manager, Carl continued to act in other film roles, including Candyman (2021), The Beanie Bubble (2023) and The Mattachine Family (2023).
Paul W. Downs
You might likely recognise W. Downs from his role as Peter alongside Scarlett Johansson in Rough Night (2017). Alongside this role, W. Downs has also written and starred in the mini-series Time Travelling Bong (2016) after his breakout role as Trey Pucker in Broad City (2014-2019). Today, W. Downs is best known for being Deborah Vance’s and Ava Daniels’ loyal talent agent Jimmy LuSaque Jr. in Hacks.
Megan Stalter
You might know her as Jimmy’s nepobaby assistant Kayla, but you might be surprised to find out that this Hacks star got her start on Instagram Live. This openly bisexual icon got her big break after one of her videos, “Hi, Gay”, went viral with over two million views. Megan’s comedic streak got her noticed and landed her iconic role at Hacks, where she continues to make us laugh. In between making hilarious mistakes as Jimmy’s assistant, Megan starred in the Netflix comedy series Too Much (2025) and appeared in the film First Time Female Director (2023).
Love media made by and for LGBTQIA+ women and gender diverse people? Then you’ll love DIVA. We’ve been spotlighting the community for over 30 years. Here’s how you can get behind queer media and keep us going for another generation: linkin.bio/ig-divamagazine
Did you know that DIVA has now become a charity? Our magazine is published by the DIVA Charitable Trust. You can find out more about the organisation and how you can offer your support here: divacharitabletrust.com
