“Hacks” has promoted both Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs to series regular status for Season 3, PvNew has learned exclusively.
Downs plays Deborah and Ava’s manager, Jimmy Lusaque Jr., while Stalter plays Jimmy’s assistant, Kayla Schaeffer. Both have appeared on the show since Season 1 of the Max comedy series.
The promotion expands Downs’ role in front of the camera on the show, while he is already a massive presence behind the camera. Downs serves as the co-creator and co-showrunner of “Hacks” in addition to being an executive producer, writer, and director. Aside from “Hacks,” he is also known for starring in the Comedy Central series “Broad City” while also working behind the scenes as a writer, director, and executive producer. His other credits include starring in and co-writing the film “Rough Night” and co-starring in the Netflix comedy “Like Father.”
He is repped by UTA, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
Stalter can currently be seen in the Peacock comedy film “Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain.” On television, her other credits include “Tooning Out the News” and “Crank Yankers.” She is also set to appear in the upcoming film “My Ex-Friend’s Wedding” and to play the lead role in Lena Dunham’s new Netflix series “Too Much.”
She is repped by UTA, Entertainment 360, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.
The official logline for Season 3 of “Hacks” states, “A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.”
The cast for the new season also includes Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, and Lorenza Izzo. There is no premiere date for the new season at the time of this publishing, though it is slated to debut in spring 2024.
“Hacks” has proven to be a breakout success for Max. Among many other accolades, the show has received 32 Emmy nominations and six wins throughout its run. Those include wins for best writing for a comedy series for Downs, Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky as well as best actress in a comedy for Smart.
Downs, Aniello, and Statsky serve as co-creators, co-showrunner, and executive producers. Downs and Aniello executive produce via their company Paulilu, which is currently under an overall deal at Warner Bros. Television. Statsky executive produces under her First Thought Productions. Michael Schur of Fremulon also executive produces along with David Miner for 3 Arts Entertainment and Morgan Sackett. Universal Television produces.
