After five seasons of sharp wit, emotional depth, and undeniable chemistry, Hacks has come to a close. Co-creators Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky, and Paul W. Downs always knew exactly where Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) would end up. In fact, they had the finale mapped out before the show even premiered in 2021. Now, with the series finale airing, the creators are opening up about the bittersweet goodbye, the clever foreshadowing, and the emotional journey that led to that final scene in Paris.
For Aniello and Statsky, saying goodbye to Hacks is as hard as it is rewarding. “It’s really wild and sad,” Statsky admits. “It’s such a huge chapter of our lives coming to an end.” Aniello echoes the sentiment, calling the experience “surprising” and “amazing.” The duo, along with Downs, crafted a show that not only won Emmys but also built a devoted fanbase. The finale, they say, is a testament to the bond between Deborah and Ava—a bond that feels less like an ending and more like a reaffirmation of their platonic soulmate connection.
Deborah’s Death Storyline Was Teased From Season 2
One of the most shocking twists in the final season is Deborah’s revelation that she has a mass—a storyline that could have easily felt like a last-minute shock. But Statsky and Aniello reveal that the seeds were planted much earlier. “We’d been playing towards this idea of Deborah’s death for a long time,” Aniello explains. From the season opener’s angelic death fantasy to the tense moments in Episode 7, the show carefully built toward this revelation. The goal was to make it feel inevitable, not out of nowhere. “You’re like, ‘Yes, I’ve been feeling this. I’ve been wondering about this,’” Aniello adds.
The reveal itself comes in one of the season’s funniest episodes, a farcical installment that contrasts sharply with the weight of the news. Statsky notes that the placement was intentional: “It kind of felt like the perfect conflict for that episode, that Ava would come to find out Deborah was hiding something yet again, and it would trigger old wounds.” This tension sets up an episode that tackles themes of dignity and the right to end life on one’s own terms—a topic that Deborah and Ava, predictably, clash over.
The Finale: A Love Letter to Fans
The series finale is packed with callbacks and Easter eggs, from the silly reveal of Deborah’s hand size compared to Ava’s to the heartfelt return of the phrase “big, brave girl.” For diehard fans, it’s a satisfying conclusion that honors the show’s history. But for the creators, it’s also a deeply personal farewell. “We really couldn’t have dreamt it better,” Aniello says. The final image of Deborah and Ava laughing and strolling through Paris is a perfect encapsulation of their relationship—complicated, loving, and unbreakable.
For those who want to dive deeper into the show’s intricate storytelling, check out our analysis of Episode 7’s wild Montecito twist and how it set the stage for the finale. And if you’re still craving more Hacks, our piece on why the show is HBO’s most rewatchable comedy might just convince you to start the series all over again.
As the credits roll on Hacks, Aniello and Statsky are left with gratitude and a touch of sadness. But they’re also excited for fans to finally see the ending they’ve been planning for years. “It’s also exciting that the people are going to be able to see the finale, which we are really, really, really proud of,” Aniello says. And for those who’ve followed Deborah and Ava’s journey, it’s an ending that feels exactly right.
