Jean Smart is preparing to say goodbye to one of the most acclaimed roles of her career, as the fifth and final season of Hacks brings the story of Deborah Vance to a close.
Speaking at a press conference in Los Angeles ahead of the premiere on HBO Max, the 74-year-old actress reflected on the show’s impact, particularly in how it portrays older women.
“There are more interesting roles now for women who aren’t 25,” she said, adding that the series helped demonstrate that “women can be three-dimensional and that older women can have the same kinds of lives and desires as those in their 30s.”
In the final season, Deborah Vance returns to Las Vegas determined to reclaim her legacy as a trailblazing comedian in a male-dominated industry, after false reports about her death threaten her reputation. According to Smart, the character is pushed further than ever before. “There’s a moment where, for the first time, we see her completely defeated,” she explained, though that vulnerability ultimately fuels her comeback.
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The show’s creators used the final season to explore ideas they had been unable to include before. Storylines range from a reality competition show appearance to a fan convention and even experimental scenes, alongside unexpected celebrity cameos.
Co-creator Jen Statsky described the season as a journey reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz, with Deborah meeting people who help shape her path. Meanwhile, Paul W. Downs highlighted one episode tackling the growing influence of artificial intelligence in entertainment—a topic that sparked major industry strikes in 2023.
“We feel the creative process isn’t something that should be optimized—please leave it alone,” Downs said, urging a more critical conversation around AI.
Despite initial doubts about the ending, Smart now believes the conclusion is fitting. “When they told me how it ended, I wasn’t sure I liked it,” she admitted. “But now I think it’s perfect.”
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The emotional weight of the finale was felt across the cast. Megan Stalter reportedly broke down on set, while Hannah Einbinder said saying goodbye to her character Ava felt like losing a real friend.
Since its debut, Hacks has been one of the most celebrated comedy series in recent years, earning multiple awards, including Emmys, Critics Choice Awards, and Golden Globes for Smart and the ensemble.
The final season consists of ten episodes, released weekly, with the series finale set for May 29 on HBO Max Portugal.
