At age 69, actress Jean Smart is having a bit of a renaissance moment in her career. Fresh off critically acclaimed turns on FX‘s “Fargo” and HBO‘s “Watchmen,” Smart also has a starring role in HBO’s new limited series, “Mare Of Easttown.”
Add another HBO Max series to the list, as Smart stars in another new show exclusive to the streaming service next month, “Hacks.” In the show, Smart plays a Las Vegas comedian who, due to dwindling show dates, reluctantly meets with a young LA comedy writer to help brush up her act. The 25-year-old upstart is just as reluctant to join forces. Why? Well, she thinks Smart’s aging comic is a hack.
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Stand-up comic Hannah Einbender stars opposite Smart in “Hacks.” It’s Einbender’s first significant acting gig and a possible breakout performance for her. The show also stars Carl Clemons-Hopkins (‘Candyman‘), Kaitlin Olson (‘It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia‘), Megan Stalter (‘The Megan Stalter Show‘), Paul W. Downs (‘Broad City‘), and Poppy Liu (‘The Farewell‘). Mark Indelicato (‘Ugly Betty‘), Christopher McDonald (‘Happy Gilmore‘), and Jon Silbilly (‘Pose‘) round out the cast.
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Downs developed “Hacks” with longtime collaborators Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky. The trio has worked together as writers on “Broad City” and Netflix‘s “The Characters.” All three are executive producers for the show too: Downs and Aniello through their company Paulilu and Statsky via First Thought Productions.
Smart has seen a return to the big screen recently as well. “Superintelligence” hit theaters and HBO Max last November, while “Senior Moment,” a romantic comedy with William Shatner that shot in 2017, was finally released late last month.
“Hacks” starts its ten-episode run on HBO Max on May 13. How will Smart’s latest TV role line up against the rest of her impressive recent run? Check out the trailer below for a preview.