Get ready for some fresh faces to shake up the comedy scene—because nothing spices up a show like new talent for the stars to clash with! In the world of TV, where veterans like Deborah Vance reign supreme, adding young blood can lead to hilarious sparks. But here's where it gets controversial: is this just a clever way to inject youth into a seasoned cast, or could it risk diluting the show's sharp wit? Stick around as we dive into the latest casting buzz that has fans buzzing.
HBO Max's Emmy-winning gem, Hacks, is welcoming more newcomers for Deborah Vance—played by the brilliant Jean Smart—to roll her eyes at. Christopher Briney, the rising star who captivated audiences as Conrad in The Summer I Turned Pretty, is stepping into Season 5. No spoilers on his character yet, but a teaser photo from the show hints at him getting cozy with Deborah. Could he be a trendy fashion designer, or perhaps a charismatic pop star reminiscent of Harry Styles? Fans, your guesses are gold—feel free to share your wild theories in the comments below!
For those just tuning in, Briney shot to fame through his portrayal of Conrad in Prime Video's The Summer I Turned Pretty, based on Jenny Han's beloved books. The series revolves around a classic love triangle: Conrad, his lifelong pal Belly (Lola Tung), and his sibling Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). In the third and final season, which concluded in September, Belly was poised to wed Jeremiah—only for Conrad to swoop in dramatically, chasing her to Europe to declare his feelings in a heart-pounding finale. If you're scratching your head over the twists, check out our detailed recap for the full scoop. And speaking of sequels, a Summer I Turned Pretty movie is on the horizon at Prime Video, expanding on those finale events to keep the romance alive.
And this is the part most people miss: Hacks was greenlit for Season 5 back in May, with star Hannah Einbinder confirming it'll wrap up the series. HBO Max hasn't officially dubbed it the end, but whispers suggest it's time to say goodbye. Is this the perfect send-off, or do you think the show could go on forever? Let's discuss!
Shifting gears to other casting headlines that are making waves...
Grey’s Anatomy is leveling up its team for Season 22, promoting Trevor Jackson to a series regular, as reported by Deadline. Jackson joined last season as intern Wes Bryant, bringing fresh energy to the Grey Sloan Memorial chaos. On top of that, the show is introducing Jade Pettyjohn (from Big Sky) and Anita Kalathara (Doom Patrol) in recurring roles—perfect for adding more drama to those high-stakes surgeries.
Meanwhile, Fox's epic Biblical series The Faithful is bolstering its ensemble with five new talents, according to Variety. Joining the cast are James Purefoy (The Following), Millie Brady (The Last Kingdom), Blu Hunt (The Originals), Will Stevens (The Thursday Murder Club), and Taylor Napier (The Wheel of Time). With such a diverse lineup, this show promises to explore faith and history in ways that might challenge viewers' beliefs—controversial territory, right? Could it spark debates on modern interpretations of ancient stories?
What do you think about these casting choices? Do you agree that mixing generations in Hacks will keep it fresh, or fear it might lose its edge? And for Grey’s Anatomy, is promoting Jackson a smart move for diversity, or just another plot twist? Share your thoughts in the comments—we'd love to hear your take and debate these points!
