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Everything we know so far About Hacks Season 4: Time to see how far Blackmail goes
Max has officially dropped the trailer for Hacks season four, giving fans a thrilling glimpse at what’s next for Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels. The Emmy-winning comedy has been a standout since its debut, delivering sharp humor, emotional depth, and unforgettable performances from Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder.
Season three ended on a shocking note, flipping Deborah and Ava’s dynamic in a way no one saw coming. Their complicated mentorship took an unexpected turn, setting the stage for a season filled with tension, wit, and power plays. Now, as the duo navigates a new chapter in their careers, the stakes have never been higher.
With a fresh season just around the corner, there’s a lot to unpack—from the latest trailer to the exciting details about what’s ahead. Ready for all the must-know updates? Keep reading as we break down everything about Hacks season four. And stay tuned—we’ll be updating as new information drops!
Release date & Where to Watch
Hacks season four premieres in the US on Thursday, April 10, 2025, on Max at 9 pm ET. The ten-episode season kicks off with two episodes on premiere day, followed by four weekly releases. Episodes seven and eight drop together on May 15, episode nine on May 22, and the finale on May 29, 2025.
In Canada, the season will stream on Crave starting April 10, 2025. Viewers in the UK can watch exclusively on Sky and NOW from Friday, April 11, 2025, while Australian audiences can stream it on Stan the same day.
How to Stream Hacks Season 4 Online from Anywhere
Hacks season four is streaming on Max in the US, Crave in Canada, NOW in the UK, and Stan in Australia. If you're traveling or living outside these regions, geo-restrictions may block your access. Fortunately, a trusted VPN can help you stream Hacks season four from anywhere, easily bypassing these limitations.
For the best streaming experience, you need a top-tier VPN that offers more than just speed. NordVPN’s Meshnet feature lets you securely connect to other devices worldwide, enhancing your streaming capabilities.
Additionally, its Dark Web Monitor alerts you if your personal data appears on the dark web, keeping your information secure. With these features, along with NordVPN’s fast servers and encryption, you can enjoy smooth, private, and uninterrupted streaming.
What is the plot of Hacks Season 4?
Season four of Hacks picks up right after Ava’s bold move to blackmail Deborah into giving her the head writer position on her new late-night show. With their power dynamic completely shifted, the tension between them is at an all-time high as they struggle to make the show a success.
Deborah, now the first woman to host a late-night talk show, initially tried to give the head writer role to someone else, fearing that Ava wasn’t the right choice. However, Ava uncovered the truth—that Deborah had lied about the network rejecting her—and decided to use her mentor’s biggest secret against her.
She threatened to expose Deborah’s one-night stand with Bob Lipka (Tony Goldwyn), the network executive who hired her, a revelation that could severely damage her credibility. Left with no choice, Deborah gave in, but their working relationship is now fueled by animosity.
As co-creator Jen Statsky told Deadline, "What we’re setting up is that Deborah is now on the biggest stage of her career. She’s got this huge gig that she now has to make work because it’s what she’s wanted more than anything. But now she’s at odds with her closest collaborator—and closest friend, to be honest—because she has betrayed her."
Meanwhile, others in Deborah’s orbit are facing their own crossroads. Marcus appears to be leaving her team for a position at QVC, with only Damien reacting emotionally to the news. Jimmy, desperate to keep Kayla from leaving the business, chases her onto a plane, leading to an awkward moment where passengers mistake his plea for a proposal. To convince her to stay, he promotes her to manager, which she gladly accepts.
On the family front, DJ is preparing for motherhood, leaving fans wondering how Deborah will handle being a grandmother and if she will reconnect with her estranged sister, Kathy.
The late-night show remains the ultimate test for Deborah and Ava’s relationship. As co-creator Lucia Aniello teased after the show’s Emmy win, season four begins "20 minutes or so after where we left off. The tension is still high, and there’s still a lot of fallout to explore.” (via TheWrap). With Ava now holding the upper hand, she and Deborah are bound to clash in new, unpredictable ways while trying to create a hit show.
Jean Smart also weighed in on Deborah’s reaction to Ava’s power play, telling Deadline, "Much to Deborah’s dismay…Ava has learned the lessons she taught her a little too well. It’s a mixture of rage with some admiration; almost pride. And then, at the very last moment, it’s like, 'Oh, this will be fun.'"
With the stakes higher than ever, Hacks season four promises a thrilling battle of wits between mentor and protégé, testing how far each is willing to go to get what they want.
Who’s Starring in Hacks Season 4?
Returning cast members:
- Jean Smart as Deborah
- Hannah Einbinder as Ava
- Paul W. Downs as Jimmy
- Megan Stalter as Kayla
- Kaitlin Olson as DJ
- Carl Clemons-Hopkins as Marcus
- Mark Indelicato as Damien
- Rose Abdoo as Josefina
- Helen Hunt as Winnie Landell
- Tony Goldwyn as as Bob Lipka
- Jane Adams as Nina Daniels
- Lauren Weedman as Madam Mayor Pezzimenti
- Christopher McDonald as Marty Ghilain
- Poppy Liu as Kiki
- Lorenza Izzo as Ruby
- Johnny Sibilly as Wilson
- Paul Felder as Aidan
- Luenell as Miss Loretta
- Aristotle Athari as Lewis
- Dan Bucatinsky
- Polly Draper
Guest cast members:
- Julianne Nicholson (Paradise, Mare of Easttown)
- Michaela Watkins (Casual)
- Bresha Webb (Run the World)
- Robby Hoffman (Verified)
- Eric Balfour (Six Feet Under)
- Danny Jolles (Ted)
- Gavin Matts (Ramy)
- Grover Whitmore
- III (The African Desperate)
- Holmes (Welcome to Flatch)
- Jasmine Ashanti (Upload)
- Katy Sullivan (Dexter: New Blood)
- Matt Oberg (The Residence)
- Sandy Honig (The Young Wife)
Is There a Trailer for Hacks Season 4?
The Hacks season four trailer picks up right after Ava’s shocking blackmail move, setting the stage for an intense power struggle between her and Deborah. As they exit a conference room, tensions are high. Deborah sneers, “Well, aren’t you a big brave girl?” Ava replies, “I guess I am. It’s for the best.” Deborah locks eyes with her and calmly responds, “We’ll see.”
Jimmy warns Ava about the battle she’s stepping into, telling her, “Blackmail on day one? Not good. She’s been doing this for 50 years. You’re not gonna beat her at her own game. Nobody beats Deborah.” But Ava seems determined to hold her ground.
The trailer also showcases lighter moments, including a playful scene where Deborah and Ava engage in a go-kart race, highlighting the show's signature blend of humor and drama. Additionally, Deborah's quip, "You gotta dance with the one who brought you," alludes to the complexities of their intertwined fates.
Beyond their heated rivalry, the trailer teases plenty of unexpected moments, including Deborah and Ava taking on DJing, trust falls, and even home renovations. With Deborah’s late-night hosting debut looming, their dynamic is about to shift in ways neither of them may be ready for.
For a visual preview, watch the official trailer below:
A sizzle reel of upcoming Max and HBO releases gave fans their first glimpse at Hacks season four, showing a tense standoff between Deborah and Ava after the explosive season three finale.
In the clip, Deborah taunts Ava, saying, “Aren’t you a big, brave girl.” Ava confidently replies, “I guess I am.” But Deborah isn’t convinced, responding with a chilling, “We’ll see.”
We're getting back to it.
— Max (@StreamOnMax) November 11, 2024
A new season of the Emmy Award-winning Max Original Series #Hacks is coming to Max in 2025. pic.twitter.com/IzrUEfJKB2
Episode Guide
- Season 4 Episode 1: Big, Brave Girl (Thursday, April 10, 2025)
- Season 4 Episode 2: Cover Girls (Thursday, April 10, 2025)
- Season 4 Episode 3: What Happens in Vegas (Thursday, April 17, 2025)
- Season 4 Episode 4: D'christening (Thursday, April 24, 2025)
- Season 4 Episode 5 (Thursday, May 1, 2025)
- Season 4 Episode 6 (Thursday, May 8, 2025)
- Season 4 Episode 7 (Thursday, May 15, 2025)
- Season 4 Episode 8 (Thursday, May 15, 2025)
- Season 4 Episode 9 (Thursday, May 22, 2025)
- Season 4 Episode 10 (Thursday, May 29, 2025)
What Happened in Hacks Season 3?
Season three of Hacks follows Deborah Vance as she fights to land her long-coveted late-night hosting gig. With Ava working in Los Angeles, she returns to support Deborah, who ultimately secures the job. But as Deborah climbs higher, her relationships begin to crumble.
She initially offers Ava the head writer position, but later rescinds it, lying that it was a network decision. When Ava learns the truth, their confrontation reaches a heartbreaking peak—Ava asks, “You’re okay with losing me too?” to which Deborah coldly replies, “I’m willing to.” Despite this, Jimmy convinces Ava to stay on the writing team.
The finale delivers a shocking twist: Ava blackmails Deborah, threatening to expose her affair with network owner Bob Lipka unless she reinstates her as head writer. For the first time, Deborah is forced to recognize that Ava has learned to play the game just as ruthlessly as she has. With shifting power dynamics among the team, Hacks season four is set to explore the fallout of their fractured relationship.
Will There be Hacks Season 5?
The showrunners of Hacks have always envisioned a five-season arc, a plan they pitched from the start. “That’s still our plan,” co-creator Lucia Aniello told Deadline. “We started pitching the show in 2019, but we’ve been thinking about it since 2015, so we’ve had a great time to plot out and talk about where we wanted the show to go,” Aniello added.
Ahead of the season four renewal, Aniello, along with co-creators Jen Statsky and Paul W. Downs, confirmed to Deadline that they are still following their original vision. While a fifth season has yet to be officially announced, their long-term roadmap suggests it’s the expected next step.
How many Awards has Hacks won?
Hacks has earned widespread critical acclaim, winning multiple prestigious awards. The series has won Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress (Jean Smart, three times), Outstanding Writing (twice), and Outstanding Directing.
It also secured the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy for its first and third seasons.
At the 2024 Emmy Awards, Hacks received 16 nominations, winning for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress (Jean Smart), and Outstanding Writing (Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky).
Additionally, Jean Smart won Best Television Female Actor – Musical/Comedy Series at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards.
When & Where did Hacks Season 4 film?
Hacks Season 4 began filming in late Sept. 2024, with the show's official Instagram confirming production on Sept. 30. A behind-the-scenes photo featured Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, co-creator Paul W. Downs, and the writing team back on set at a Vegas casino.
Filming took place in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, wrapping in January 2025.
Behind the Scenes
Hacks is created and showrun by Emmy winners Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky. The trio also executive produce, with Downs and Aniello through their Paulilu banner and Statsky via First Thought Productions. Additional executive producers include Emmy winners Michael Schur (Fremulon), David Miner (3 Arts Entertainment), and Morgan Sackett.
The series is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution handling international sales.
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