EXCLUSIVE: Filming Season 3 of the HBO Max/Universal TV hit comedy series Hacks, starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder, has been put on hold due to a writers’ strike, Deadline has learned. According to sources, production has been paused for the duration of the work stoppage.
Comedies are more writer-dependent than dramas, which is why it’s harder for comedy series to film without writing showrunners on set. This is especially true for Hacks since writing is at the heart of the show, it centers on an aging comedian Deborah Vance (Smart) and an up-and-coming writer Ava Daniels (Einbinder) writing together. Hacks was created by Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky, who serve as showrunners. According to WGA rules, members cannot provide any writing services, including script changes during filming, during a strike.
Production on Season 3 of hacks, which began shortly after Thanksgiving and continued after the holiday break in January, was previously paused in February when Smart underwent a successful heart procedure. It continued in mid-March.
Hacks became a commercial hit and awards juggernaut, amassing 32 Emmy nominations and 6 wins for its first two seasons, including two statuettes for Smart.
The series also stars Carl Clemons-Hopkins and Jane Adams as well as Christopher McDonald, Kaitlin Olson, Paul W. Downs, Poppy Liu, Rose Abdoo, Mark Indelicato, Meg Stalter, Angela E. Gibbs, Luenell, Johnny Sibilly, Joe Mande, Ally Maki and Lorenza Izzo.
Hacks is produced by Universal Television. It is exec produced by Downs and Aniello through their Paulilu banner, Statsky through First Thought Productions, Michael Schur through Fremulon, David Miner for 3 Arts Entertainment and Morgan Sackett.
