Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter on Jimmy and Kayla’s Friendship in Hacks

We were joined by Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter to discuss the latest season of Hacks and continuing to develop Jimmy and Kayla’s friendship. Together they have found there to be a real rom com vibe to their characters coming together more as colleagues and friends. For a long time Kayla would have called Jimmy her best friend but maybe not the other way round, but they noted how Jimmy also finds himself choosing to spend time with her both at work or even just going to the movies. The scene last season where Jimmy work proposed on the plane was a definite changing point for their characters relationship and set the stage for the two of them both being managers alongside each other.

Megan spoke about Kayla finding her own niche as a manager focusing on animals and kids, feeling that this was the perfect space in the industry for her and one that nobody else could thrive in the way she does.

Paul found a lot of this season was about Jimmy going through his feelings as the middle person between Deborah and Ava’s relationship especially when they’re barely tolerating each other. After his feelings were hurt from not being told that they had mended things with one and other he got the chance to explore Jimmy having a full on crash out including stunt work having to drive a golf cart through the gates at the studio and ontot he streets of LA.

They both noted how Deborah is an intimidating presence as a character but that Jimmy seems to take more reverance towards this in trying to constantly appease her compared to Kayla. However Megan did share that she felt Kayla felt some of this intimidation when she confronts Deborah and Ava about their treatment towards Jimmy.

The season ended with Jimmy giving Kayla the ultimate gift - a sign for their shared business with her name first so who can tell where their friendship and work relationship will go next, but Megan did jokingly say she’s rooting for them to get married in the future.

Q&A on the series Hacks with co-creator/co-showrunner/executive producer/writer/director/actor Paul W. Downs and actor Megan Stalter. Moderated by Mara Webster, In Creative Company.

A dark mentorship forms between Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comic, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old comedy writer.