EXCLUSIVE: Filming on Season 3 of HBO Max/Universal TV hit comedy series Hacks, starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder, has been halted because of the writers strike, Deadline has learned. According to sources, production will be on pause for the duration of the work stoppage.
Comedies are far more writer-dependent than dramas, which is why it is harder for comedy series to film without writing showrunners on set. This is especially true for Hacks as 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) who are 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 revisions during filming, while a strike is going on.
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Production on Season 3 of Hacks, which started shortly after Thanksgiving and resumed after the holiday break in January, was previously paused in February when Smart underwent a successful heart procedure. It resumed in mid-March.
Hacks has been 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 via their Paulilu banner, Statsky via First Thought Productions, Michael Schur via Fremulon, David Miner for 3 Arts Entertainment and Morgan Sackett.
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