"Made him a perfect fit": Hacks casting director explains how influencer Jake Shane's "Social Media Girlie" role came to life 

Hacks is a popular HBO comedy that aired its first season in May 2021 on HBO Max. As the show progressed, it remained focused on holding its essence. By the time Season 4 arrived, that approach mattered more than ever.

Introducing a new face to an already established ensemble requires precision. But this risk turned into an opportunity when influencer Jake Shane joined Hacks as “Social Media Girlie.” Now the casting director explained how the role came to life.

Hacks casting director explains how influencer Jake Shane's "Social Media Girlie" role came to life

Hacks traces legendary stand-up Deborah Vance and her evolving relationship with writer Ava Daniels as the two experience fame and creative survival. The show was hailed for its sharp writing and compelling performances.

This was a role that emerged through careful casting rather than spectacle. According to casting director Linda Lowy, the decision came down to fit, timing, and trust in performance.

Linda Lowy, the casting director behind the Emmy-winning HBO series, maintained:

“The producers knew him, appreciated his performance and soon after brought him on as Social Media Girlie. The role had originally been written for a woman, but we cast Jake and kept the name. It was too funny not to.”

Season 4 develops further on Deborah Vance’s late-night operation, creating space for characters through which work and comedy engage in dialogue. Shane’s character exists within that ecosystem, focusing on Hacks's satirical appeal.

Shane was not initially brought in for the role he ultimately played. He first auditioned to act as the late-night writer. His team had shone brightly in this opportunity. While that part did not work out, the producers were already familiar with him and appreciated what he brought to the audition.

Lowy follows the statement with details on how the team decided to bring him back in a different capacity. “Social Media Girlie” had originally been written as a female role, but once Shane was considered, the choice came easily. The name stayed simply because it fit perfectly into the vision.

She said,

“His online presence, paired with his natural talent for acting, made him a perfect fit for the role of Social Media Girlie. I believe this may have been among his first acting roles, and possibly his television debut.”

What sealed the decision was how Shane’s real-life experience mirrored the reel-life character. As a social media personality, he already understood the performance, pace, and tone of online spaces. That authenticity translated easily on screen and helped the character appear organic on screen.

Still, Lowy emphasizes that familiarity alone was not enough. Shane’s natural acting prowess added to the decision. His performance had to keep up with the rhythm of Hacks.

It had to absorb Hacks's tonality that it established through its previous seasons. The producers were careful to ensure the role never felt like a novelty.

This was likely Shane’s first acting role and possibly his television debut. That made the stakes higher. The show did not want the casting to read as a stunt or a distraction from the story.

She said,

“If it’s a recurring character, one needs to ensure they can be integrated seamlessly into the show both in tone and in performance,” says Lowy. “If it’s a guest star, they should not only naturally support but also complement the main cast with comparable skill and gravitas.”

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Lowy says that these requirements are critical for all casting choices. Recurring characters must assimilate into the show's world. Guest stars, meanwhile, need to support the main cast with comparable skill and weight. The priority is always cohesion.

“Social Media Girlie” reflects the realities of modern comedy production while staying firmly rooted in the show’s world. Hacks Season 4 is streaming now on Max.

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