Jean Smart’s Character in ‘Hacks’ Inspired by Phyllis Diller, Joan Rivers, and Lucille Ball, Says Co-creator

The popular comedy drama series “Hacks” has been making waves with its lead character Deborah Vance, played by Hollywood star Jean Smart. Co-creator Jen Statsky revealed that the character of Deborah was inspired by female comic veterans like Phyllis Diller, Joan Rivers, Lucille Ball, and Elaine May.

Smart, who has won two Primetime Emmy Awards for her role as Deborah, brings the character to life in the acclaimed American show. The series follows the story of an old-school comic and a woke, down-on-her-luck, 20-something comedy writer Ava, played by Hannah Einbinder, who is hired to update Deborah’s material.

Statsky shared in an interview with PTI that the upcoming season 3 of “Hacks” is the best one yet. The season will see Deborah going after her biggest goal yet, with Ava and the rest of the team rallying around her to make it happen. The relationship between Deborah and Ava will also deepen and explore new territories, making it a rich and rewarding watch.

The chemistry between Smart and Einbinder on screen is palpable and not engineered, according to Statsky. She emphasized the importance of finding genuine chemistry between the lead characters, which she believes is essential for the success of the show.

Statsky, who has a background in writing for popular TV comedies, credited her mentor Mike Schur for inspiring her to create unique relationships between characters, much like the one between Deborah and Ava in “Hacks”.

The third season of “Hacks” is currently streaming in India on JioCinema, offering viewers a chance to witness the dynamic and evolving relationship between Deborah and Ava unfold on screen.