‘Hacks’ Stars Hannah Einbinder and Paul W. Downs on the Legacy of ‘Hacks’ and Which Character Needs a Spinoff First
"Hacks" stars Hannah Einbinder and Paul W. Downs discussed the show's legacy and the possibility of a spinoff during an appearance on Variety's Awards Circuit Podcast. Einbinder said working alongside Gillian Anderson on the film "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma" had shifted her outlook on discussing "Hacks" long-term, comparing it to how Anderson is still regularly asked about "The X-Files". Downs, meanwhile, addressed persistent fan speculation about a potential spinoff centred on his character Jimmy and Megan Stalter's Kayla.
Downs explained that he and the show's creators had deliberately stuck to their original plan for the series finale, resisting the temptation to stretch the story out, and said he did not want anything to follow it so that the ending remains what people remember. Despite this, both actors floated ideas for a possible future spinoff exploring other characters, including a young Mayor Jo navigating her first election and Marty arriving in Las Vegas in the 1970s, with Einbinder likening the Mayor Jo concept to "Better Call Saul". The full conversation, including further discussion of the finale and a "10 Questions" segment, features on this week's episode of Variety's Awards Circuit Podcast, alongside TV critic Aramide Tinubu's summer picks and Emmy predictions.
- Einbinder and Downs reflect on "Hacks" legacy on Variety's podcast
- Downs rules out a Jimmy/Kayla spinoff, wants finale to stand alone
- Stars pitch alternative spinoff ideas: young Mayor Jo, 1970s Marty
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Hacks is a comedy-drama series that ran for several seasons before recently concluding with a series finale, exploring the relationship between an ageing Las Vegas comedian and a young writer hired to help update her act. Hannah Einbinder and Paul W. Downs are two of the show's stars, with Downs also serving as one of its creators; both remain closely associated with the programme and are regularly asked about its future.
Since the finale aired, there has been ongoing speculation among fans about whether the story might continue in some form, particularly around Downs's character Jimmy and Megan Stalter's character Kayla. The show's creative team has generally been protective of the ending they originally planned, which is relevant context for understanding why any spinoff talk is treated cautiously by those involved.
Variety's Awards Circuit Podcast is an entertainment industry podcast that regularly features conversations with actors and creators about television and awards-season topics, and it is the setting in which Einbinder and Downs discussed the show's legacy and possible future.