Jean Smart Opens Up About Saying Goodbye to One of Television's Most Beloved Characters
The award-winning series 'Hacks', which has dominated Emmy conversations since its spectacular debut in 2021, is officially wrapping up after five brilliant seasons. The show has cultivated a devoted global following, largely thanks to the magnetic and unforgettable performance of Jean Smart as the sharp-tongued stand-up comedian Deborah Vance. As the curtain prepares to fall, Smart is now reflecting deeply on what it truly means to say goodbye to a role that has defined this significant chapter of her illustrious career.
Jean Smart Never Wanted to Know How 'Hacks' Would End
Speaking at a recent press conference, Jean Smart, a seven-time Emmy winner, revealed a fascinating detail about her creative process. She explained that she never once asked the creators how the show would conclude, choosing instead to be genuinely surprised alongside the audience. With the highly anticipated Season 5 set to premiere on April 10 and conclude on May 29, the series is bowing out while still at the absolute height of its creative powers and critical acclaim.
Smart shared that from the very first day she met creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky, she made a conscious decision not to inquire about the series finale. When the creators finally revealed the ending to her, her initial reaction was a complex mix of emotions, but her unwavering trust in the creative team never faltered.
She elaborated, "I have never asked the creators how the series was going to end from the day we met until the finale. I didn't really have an idea of how it would end. I just wanted to be surprised. I've loved being surprised every single episode for all these wonderful years. But when they first talked to me about how it was going to end, I was genuinely surprised. I was not sure I was really happy about it initially, but I said, 'Hey, you know, I trust you guys. I always have, and it always turns out great, and it did.' Now I think it's kind of perfect, and it's really great."
The Emotional Final Days on Set for the Cast and Crew
The cast filmed the last scene of the show one week before fully wrapping production, then traveled to Paris, France, to shoot additional scenes, essentially experiencing the poignant process of saying goodbye twice. Co-star Hannah Einbinder, who portrays writer Ava Daniels, reflected that there was no single climactic farewell moment for her. Instead, it was a series of smaller, heartfelt goodbyes that unfolded throughout the final season—first to the Los Angeles crew, then the Las Vegas crew, and finally in the beautiful city of Paris, where they wrapped production for a second time.
For Jean Smart, the reality of the show ending began to set in profoundly as the iconic sets were gradually being closed down and dismantled. She shared, "It started to become very real to me as the season progressed; they started wrapping certain sets, like when we were shooting in Deborah's magnificent house, which I absolutely love. It's like running around a big, giant dollhouse because they copied a giant mansion in Bel Air and recreated it meticulously on stage at Universal. It's absolutely stunning."
"The first time it happened, they said, 'Okay, that's a wrap, that's a series wrap on Deborah's bedroom.' I was like, we're never gonna sleep in this bedroom again? And then that's the wrap on the kitchen. I was like 'Oh my god.' They kindly let me sneak little souvenirs from each set," she concluded with a touch of nostalgia.
As the series drew to its inevitable close, Smart suddenly realized she would be bidding farewell not only to the cherished cast and crew but also to her beloved alter ego. "I'm not ever gonna play Deborah again," she told reporters emotionally. "I'm going to miss her deeply. It's weird. They feel like real people to us." Remarkably, four of her seven prestigious Emmy wins are for 'Hacks', a powerful testament to just how completely and authentically she has inhabited this iconic role over the years.
A Stellar Cast and a Critically Acclaimed Show Going Out on Top
'Hacks' Season 5 also stars the talented Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Mark Indelicato, and Rose Abdoo. Adding fresh energy to the show's final chapter, 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' star Christopher Briney joins the season in a special guest role, ensuring the series concludes with the same innovative spirit that defined its entire run.
The conclusion of 'Hacks' marks the end of an era in television comedy, celebrated for its brilliant writing, exceptional performances, and the unforgettable character of Deborah Vance, brought to life by the incomparable Jean Smart.
