When “Hacks” began three seasons ago, young writer Ava Daniels, played by young stand-up comic Hannah Einbinder, was a precocious if hubristic talent, reluctantly paired with veteran diva comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart). Their thorny collaboration brought out the best work from both of them. As the second season ended, Deborah’s career reached new heights — and then she fired Ava to force her out on her own.
But these two can’t quit each other, as Season 3 proves. (Spoilers ahead.) Einbinder was new to acting when she began playing Ava, but took to the role instantly (now having earned an Emmy nomination for each season), lending her character some of the absurdist depth that her stand-up offers.
Between seasons, Einbinder went back on the road as a stand-up; her first special, “Everything Must Go,” premiered on Max in June. And although she wrote most of the material before “Hacks” began, “My time acting has helped me to lean in to the theatrics of my special that have been inherent to my comedic style,” she says via video chat. “My ability to commit to larger performance choices is a result of the fact that I have learned to act in a real way.
” She notes that when she began the role, “Ava was so fully formed and there was so much to work with, and I think as the years have gone by I have just found ways to provide more texture to a character who is already so detailed.” To follow, Einbinder considers some key Season 3 moments that highlight.