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The Updated Cast Of Hacks Season 3: Who's Returning, Who's New, And The Full Star-Studded Lineup

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The highly anticipated return of Hacks, the critically acclaimed, Emmy-winning Max comedy series, is finally here, and the cast for Season 3 is bigger and more star-studded than ever. As of December 23, 2025, the latest updates confirm the core dynamic duo will be back, alongside a spectacular lineup of new and returning guest stars set to shake up the lives of Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels. The new season, which premiered on May 2, 2024, promises to explore the next chapter of their complicated mentorship, with Deborah on top of her game and Ava pursuing her own career.

This deep dive into the Hacks cast will not only provide a complete breakdown of the main actors and their characters but also give you the freshest details on the incredible guest stars joining the dark comedy-drama for its third season. From the legendary Jean Smart to the breakout star Hannah Einbinder, prepare for a comprehensive look at the talent driving one of television's best shows.

The Core Cast: Biographies and Character Profiles

The heart of Hacks lies in the electric, dysfunctional relationship between a legendary comedian and her young, abrasive writer. The main cast members are not only incredible actors but also accomplished comedians and writers in their own right. Here is a detailed look at the core ensemble.

Jean Smart as Deborah Vance

  • Full Name: Jean Elizabeth Smart
  • Born: September 13, 1951
  • Character Role: Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas stand-up comedian fighting to maintain relevance and a decades-long residency.
  • Career Highlights: Smart is one of the most decorated actresses in television history, with a career spanning decades in both comedy and drama. She has won seven Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. Her notable roles include playing Lana Gardner on Frasier, Martha Logan on 24, and Laurie Blake on Watchmen. Her performance in Hacks has earned her consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

Hannah Einbinder as Ava Daniels

  • Full Name: Hannah Marie Einbinder
  • Born: May 21, 1995
  • Character Role: Ava Daniels, a young, disgraced comedy writer from Los Angeles who is forced to work for Deborah Vance.
  • Career Highlights: Einbinder is an American actress and stand-up comedian who gained widespread recognition for her role as Ava. She comes from comedy royalty; her mother, Laraine Newman, was an original cast member of Saturday Night Live. Prior to Hacks, Einbinder was known for her stand-up comedy and was named one of the "New Faces of Comedy" at the Just for Laughs festival. She has received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her work on the show.

Carl Clemons-Hopkins as Marcus

  • Full Name: Carl Clemons-Hopkins
  • Born: July 20, 1987
  • Character Role: Marcus, the meticulous and highly-strung CEO of Deborah Vance's management company, who is fiercely loyal to her.
  • Career Highlights: Clemons-Hopkins is an American actor best known for their role as Marcus. They were nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the first season of Hacks. They began their acting career in 2010 and have also appeared in shows like Chicago Med.

Paul W. Downs as Jimmy LuSaque Jr.

  • Full Name: Paul William Downs
  • Born: November 21, 1982
  • Character Role: Jimmy LuSaque Jr., Deborah and Ava's long-suffering manager who is constantly dealing with their antics and his own inept assistant. Downs is also a co-creator and co-showrunner of the series.
  • Career Highlights: Downs is an accomplished actor, writer, director, and producer. He is widely recognized for co-creating, co-writing, and co-starring in the popular comedy series Broad City, where he played Trey. His dual role as a creative force and a key cast member in Hacks is central to the show's success.

Megan Stalter as Kayla Schaefer

  • Full Name: Megan Marie Stalter
  • Born: September 15, 1990
  • Character Role: Kayla Schaefer, Jimmy's wildly inappropriate, chaotic, and wealthy assistant.
  • Career Highlights: Stalter is an American comedian and actress who rose to prominence through her distinctive character comedy videos on social media during the pandemic. Originally from the Chicago comedy scene, she is considered a breakout voice in alternative comedy. Her performance as Kayla provides some of the show's most memorable moments.

The Star-Studded Lineup: New and Returning Guest Stars for Season 3

One of the hallmarks of Hacks is its ability to attract high-profile talent for guest and recurring roles, often playing exaggerated versions of industry insiders or figures from Deborah's past. Season 3, which premiered on May 2, 2024, continues this tradition with an astonishing array of celebrity appearances.

The third season sees the return of several fan-favorite recurring characters, as well as a new wave of talent that will push Deborah and Ava in new directions. After the Season 2 finale saw the duo part ways professionally, Season 3 focuses on Deborah's newfound success and Ava's solo career journey, inevitably leading to a dynamic reunion.

Major Guest Stars Confirmed for Hacks Season 3

The announcement of the Season 3 guest cast sent waves through the television industry, confirming the show's status as a must-watch comedy. These actors bring immense topical authority and star power to the ensemble:

  • Helen Hunt: The legendary actress and four-time Emmy winner joins the cast in a new role.
  • Christopher Lloyd: The iconic actor, best known as Doc Brown from Back to the Future, will make a guest appearance.
  • Christina Hendricks: Known for her dramatic roles in Mad Men, her appearance adds a new layer of intrigue.
  • Tony Goldwyn: The actor from Scandal is also confirmed to join the star-studded roster.
  • George Wallace: A real-life stand-up comedian, his presence further blurs the line between the show's fictional comedy world and reality.
  • Dan Bucatinsky: A veteran actor and producer, known for his work on Scandal and The Comeback.
  • J. Smith Cameron: Known for her role as Gerri in Succession, she brings her dramatic chops to the comedy.
  • Patton Oswalt: Another accomplished stand-up comedian, adding to the show's authentic comedy feel.
  • Natasha Leggero: A well-known comedian and actress.

In addition to these high-profile names, Season 3 introduces two new recurring characters who will work closely with Deborah: Dylan Gelula as Miria and Jordan Gavaris as Logan, both of whom are new writers for the legendary comedian.

The Essential Recurring Ensemble: Supporting the Chaos

Beyond the main duo, the success of Hacks is fueled by a strong supporting cast who are integral to the show's narrative, providing both comic relief and emotional depth. These key players round out the world of Deborah Vance and her professional empire.

Key Recurring Cast and Characters

The relationships between these characters and the main duo—Deborah and Ava—are crucial to developing the show's themes of mentorship, loyalty, and the cutthroat nature of the entertainment business.

  • Kaitlin Olson as Deborah "DJ" Vance Jr.: Deborah's estranged and often troubled daughter, whose complex relationship with her mother is a recurring emotional anchor. Olson is best known for her role in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
  • Christopher McDonald as Marty: The CEO of the Palmetto Casino in Las Vegas, where Deborah holds her long-running residency. Marty represents the old guard of the Las Vegas entertainment scene.
  • Mark Indelicato as Damien: Deborah's incredibly loyal and often overwhelmed personal assistant, who serves as a comedic foil to the more serious characters.
  • Rose Abdoo as Josefina: Deborah's long-time housekeeper, who often provides a grounding, no-nonsense perspective on the chaos of the Vance household.
  • Poppy Liu as Kiki: A blackjack dealer at the Palmetto Casino who often interacts with Deborah.
  • Johnny Sibilly as Wilson: Marcus’s former love interest and a key figure in his personal life.

The genius of Hacks lies in its ability to blend the sharp, generational clash between the "uber-glam" Deborah and the "Gen Z ideals" of Ava, all while maintaining a foundation in the authentic world of stand-up comedy and television showrunning. The creators, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky, have crafted a world rich with complex boss/employee relationships and industry satire.

With Jean Smart's powerhouse performance anchoring the series and Hannah Einbinder’s sharp comedic timing providing the perfect counterpoint, the addition of an all-star guest cast for Season 3 ensures that this Emmy Award-winning series remains Max's flagship comedy. Fans and critics alike are eager to see how the new season tackles the theme of late-night television and the continued evolution of its beloved, dysfunctional central relationship.

cast of hacks
cast of hacks

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