2 hours ago
Will "Hacks" End After Season 5? HBO's Casey Bloys Weighs In
READ TIME: 3 MIN.
As several of HBO’s standout series—"The Pitt," “The Penguin" and “Hacks”—continue to captivate audiences, questions about their futures have become a focal point for fans and industry watchers alike. At a recent press event, HBO and HBO Max CEO Casey Bloys fielded direct questions about the possibility of a second season for “The Penguin,” as well as whether the upcoming fifth season of “Hacks” will conclude the Emmy-winning comedy’s run. His remarks shed light on the network’s creative calculus and its ongoing commitment to inclusive storytelling.
Based on the notorious Gotham villain, “The Penguin” debuted in September 2024 and quickly garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success, including 24 Primetime Emmy nominations. The series, created by Lauren LeFranc under the creative supervision of Matt Reeves, follows Colin Farrell’s transformation into Oz Cobb, weaving a dark, character-driven narrative that resonated across diverse audiences. The show’s nuanced portrayal of power, identity, and Gotham’s underworld found particular resonance within LGBTQ+ communities, who have long embraced comic book worlds as spaces for exploring difference and resilience .
Despite its success, HBO has yet to formally greenlight a second season. At the July 2025 event, Bloys confirmed that “talks have occurred” between Reeves and LeFranc about a possible continuation, but emphasized the complexity: “The number one thing right now that Matt is dealing with is getting the [next] movie going. I know that he and Lauren have talked about various ideas. So, could another chapter be in the future? Definitely possible. Right now, I think the priority for Matt is the movie. But I know that Lauren is thinking of various ideas that might work alongside the movie. I think it’s possible. I just don’t know at this point.”
Showrunner Lauren LeFranc’s new two-year overall deal with HBO and the launch of her banner, Acid and Tender Productions, signal an ongoing relationship and a fertile creative partnership, increasing the likelihood of future projects set within “The Batman” universe. Still, Bloys and Reeves both flagged the narrative challenges: any second season must coexist with the events of “The Batman Part II,” set for release in 2027, and must find a story that meets or surpasses the impact of season one .
“The Penguin” has also been lauded for its commitment to authenticity, both in front of and behind the camera. LeFranc’s stated mission for Acid and Tender Productions is to “shepherd bold stories and perspectives from singular voices and artists I love…writers and filmmakers who seek to tell authentic, off-kilter, character-driven stories, no matter the genre” . Such an approach has been especially meaningful for queer viewers, who have often looked to genre storytelling as a way to explore identity and community.
“Hacks,” HBO’s acclaimed comedy about the intergenerational partnership between legendary stand-up Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and her young writing partner Ava (Hannah Einbinder), has been a consistent critical and awards darling since its debut. With its sharp wit and nuanced portrayal of queer identity—Ava is openly queer and her relationships are treated with the same complexity and sincerity as those of her straight counterparts—the series has become a touchstone for representation in mainstream television .
At the same July 2025 press event, Bloys addressed the fate of “Hacks” as it heads into its fifth season. He clarified that while showrunners Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky have mapped out a narrative arc that could bring the series to a satisfying conclusion, no formal announcement has been made that season five will be the last.
“Lucia, Paul, and Jen have always said they want to tell the story on their terms and bring it to a close when the time is right. We’ve had early conversations, but nothing has been finalized. We want to ensure the creative team has the space they need to deliver the ending they envision—whenever that may be,” Bloys said .
