Comedy and drama mix for a compelling and perceptive show

The comedy-drama Hacks has returned for a solid fourth season that continues to be both funny and perceptive, writes Jacqueline Ristola, lecturer in digital animation at the University of Bristol.

- Jacqueline Ristola

The series, about ruthless comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and her compassionate writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), explores their developing relationship as they work in the entertainment industry. This season shifts to the backstage drama of late-night television.

When we last saw them in season three, Deborah and colleagues were on a buzzy press tour, building Deborah's profile to become the next host of late-night television. Deborah does indeed secure the position, promising Ava to be her head writer. But the immense pressure to succeed gets to Deborah, who rescinds her offer to go with a more established (male) writer.

Learning of the betrayal, Ava takes a page from Deborah's playbook, blackmailing her to reinstate her as head writer. Season four picks up from this dramatic upset, with Deborah and Ava quarrelling behind the scenes as they work on Deborah's new series.

Hacks has always examined women's precarious place in the entertainment industry. This season introduces a new setting (late-night television) and a new character (network executive Winnie) to enable the series to subtly observe how women attain power and operate in a male-dominated industry.