Hacks Season 5 to Break Ava and Deborah Tradition

Stars confirm the HBO Max comedy will see the duo working together in the final season.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:21pm

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An abstract close-up image of shattered glass and glittering sequins, capturing the high-contrast, high-fashion aesthetic of the final season of the HBO Max series 'Hacks'.The final season of the acclaimed HBO Max comedy 'Hacks' promises a glamorous and high-stakes conclusion to the tumultuous relationship between its lead characters.Las Vegas Today

Hacks is nearing its end, and series stars Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart have confirmed that the show's fifth and final season will break a long-standing tradition for the HBO Max comedy drama. Despite the tumultuous relationship between Einbinder's Ava Daniels and Smart's Deborah Vance throughout the show, season 5 will see the pair working together and having similar objectives, marking a significant change in their dynamic.

Why it matters

Hacks has been a critical success, with Smart winning four consecutive Emmys for her performance and the show winning Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes for seasons 1 and 3. The revelation that Ava and Deborah will be on the same team in the final season signals a fitting conclusion to the long-running series and the evolution of its core characters.

The details

In an interview with ScreenRant, Einbinder confirmed that despite the fight Ava and Deborah had at the end of season 4, Hacks season 5 will see the pair on the same side, with similar objectives that will also push Ava forward as a character. Smart echoed the same sentiment, saying that Deborah will have to admit how much she needs Ava, creating a strong bond between the two, almost like a mother and child dynamic.

  • Hacks season 4 ended with Ava and Deborah getting into a major fight.
  • The next day, newspapers falsely reported that Deborah had died, with an obituary insulting her career.
  • Hacks season 5 premieres on HBO Max starting Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET.
  • New episodes will be released weekly, with two episodes on April 30 and May 7, until the series finale on Thursday, May 28, 2026.

The players

Hannah Einbinder

The actress who plays Ava Daniels in the HBO Max comedy series Hacks.

Jean Smart

The actress who plays Deborah Vance in the HBO Max comedy series Hacks.

Hacks

An HBO Max comedy drama series that has been a critical success, winning multiple awards and earning praise for its performances and storytelling.

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What they’re saying

“I would say that it's really strong. I think they're on the same team. And they're able to just attack all of these goals together, which is nice.”

— Hannah Einbinder, Actress

“Oh, I think the stakes are so high for Deborah that she really has to really admit to Ava and mostly to herself, how much she needs Ava. Really needs Ava. When people need each other, that creates a very strong bond. It's sort of like the mother and child dynamic.”

— Jean Smart, Actress

What’s next

Hacks season 5 will premiere on HBO Max on April 9, 2026, with new episodes released weekly until the series finale on May 28, 2026.

The takeaway

The final season of Hacks will see a significant shift in the dynamic between Ava and Deborah, as the pair work together towards common goals, signaling a fitting conclusion to the critically acclaimed comedy series.