Waltham adds local edge to ‘Hacks,’ a sharp comedy of mentorship and reinvention

In the first season of “Hacks,” the acclaimed series on HBO Max, the brash, young comedian Ava Daniels and her beleaguered agent, Jimmy LuSaque Jr., discover they both hail from Massachusetts, cementing their outsider status among the sharks of Hollywood and Las Vegas. Ava then doubles down, confessing she grew up as a “queer progressive” in — believe it or not — Waltham. 

If you are from the Watch City and don’t already love the show, that alone is reason enough to check it out. “Hacks” has been a hit with critics and audiences. It has won 12 Emmys, three Golden Globes and a Screen Actors Guild award.

The series is a razor-sharp dark comedy centering on the thorny, ever-evolving relationship between Deborah Vance, played by Jean Smart, a legendary Las Vegas stand-up comedian whose career has plateaued, and Ava Daniels, played by Hannah Einbinder, a brash, young comedy writer whose career has imploded after posting a controversial tweet. 

Waltham residents may wonder how the show’s writers picked our city as Ava’s hometown. It turns out there is an authentic connection. The show’s creators — Jen Statsky, Lucia Anniello and Paul W. Downs — brainstormed the idea for the show on a road trip from Massachusetts to Maine, according to a 2024 Boston Globe article. “Statsky picked up the couple at Anniello’s aunt’s house in Waltham and the trio spent the trip spitballing about a seasoned entertainer who hadn’t gotten the same due as her male counterparts,” the reporter wrote. 

When it came time to concoct an origin story for the Ava character, the choice was obvious. Although not filmed here, the show includes scenes set in Waltham. In Season 1 Episode 10, Ava returns home to mourn the death of her father, Dennis. Deborah surprises Ava by suddenly appearing and livening up the eulogy with humor, helping the family and friends reminisce about Dennis.

The decision to include Ava’s Waltham home sets up a contrast between the glitz and glam of the entertainment industry and her modest roots. In a show about reinvention, Ava’s origins remind viewers that even the most ambitious dreamers carry their hometowns with them, influencing their humor, insecurities and tenacity. “Hacks” succeeds because it humanizes its characters without softening their edges. Ava’s Waltham roots contribute to that authenticity: her journey from canceled writer to vital creative force feels earned.

Production on Season 5 is already underway. The four previous seasons are available on HBO Max.