NEED TO KNOW
- The Summer I Turned Pretty star Christopher Briney has joined Hacks season 5
- HBO Max released a first look photo of Briney alongside Jean Smart on Thursday, Oct. 9
- Hacks star Hannah Einbinder previously said the comedy will end after its fifth season
Christopher Briney is moving from Cousins Beach to the California comedy scene.
On Thursday, Oct. 9, HBO Max revealed that Briney, 27, has joined season 5 of Hacks. In a first look photo of The Summer I Turned Pretty star on the set of the series, Briney is pictured with Jean Smart, who plays comedian Deborah Vance.
In the photo, the pair are dressed in silk tops, with Briney’s unbuttoned to show off his character’s tattoos. His character also has his arm wrapped around Deborah’s waist. They’re both smiling in the shot, but it doesn’t give away anything about what fans can expect from Briney’s new character.
Hacks marks Briney’s first role following the conclusion of Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty in September, though he will reprise his role as Conrad in a forthcoming movie that will wrap up the franchise.
Christopher Briney (left) and Jean Smart on ‘Hacks’ season 5.
Kenny Laubbacher/HBO
Fans will have to wait for more details on Briney’s character and his role in season 5, but the minds behind the series previously told PEOPLE that Smart, 74, is generally “very game” when it comes to her storyline.
“Jean will admit that she is pruder than Deborah,” Paul W. Downs, who also stars as Deborah’s manager, Jimmy LuSaque Jr, told PEOPLE in April. “So there are certain things that she’s like, ‘Oh my God, do we have to do that?’ But at this point, I think she has a lot of trust in the writing, and so there’s nothing that isn’t a discussion.”
“It’s funny because she has a line, but I actually think the character Deborah could get away with anything,” series co-creator Jen Statsky added. “I think she could say anything and people would just love Jean so much.”
Hannah Einbinder previously said Hacks will end after season 5 at the 2025 Emmy Awards. At the time, she said that it’s “really bittersweet” to know Ava and Deborah’s story is coming to an end, but that it feels “right.”
“I think it’s nice to do something as many times as it should be done,” she told E! News. “Not overstay your welcome. Rip it and do it and laugh and cry.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Hacks seasons 1-4 are available to stream on HBO Max.
