Cory Stillman
A mindfulness has emanated from Carl Clemons-Hopkins, much like it does from their character Marcus on the Max original series Hacks.
Now in its third season, Hacks has cemented itself as one of the very best shows on TV, tracing its characters’ growth as both professionals and as human beings. While much of that evolution centers around Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) and Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), the show is rounded out by a stellar supporting cast, and each character is given the space and time necessary to leave their mark.
Marcus just might be the most fascinating of these secondary characters, and a large part of that stems from Clemons-Hopkins’ commanding screen presence.
“What fascinates me about [Marcus] as a character is that he really explores what happens when you are somewhat alone in the spaces that you frequent, whether you are the only person of color or whether you are the only queer individual,” says Clemon-Hopkins. “I’ve learned a lot from Marcus on the difference between compromise and finesse.”
Indeed, Marcus’ dilemma has always been whether or not to bite his tongue in the face of pushback, or even outright discrimination. And even as Deborah’s personal growth has created more room for her business advisor to comfortably express himself, season three will present Marcus with some particularly pivotal challenges along his professional path.
“He is kind of battling with the real fact of feeling left behind in a sense,” says Clemon-Hopkins. “The business that they created, the focus of the industry that they are driving, has shifted. And so he has to kind of find out where he fits in this new world.”
Marcus has exuded a quiet confidence ever since Hacks began, and it is hard not to pick up on a similar quality in Clemons-Hopkins when speaking with him. Soft-spoken and self-assured, Clemons-Hopkins is contemplative as they consider their own professional journey alongside that of Marcus.
“I’m encouraged by working on this show. I’m better by working on this show,” remarks Clemons-Hopkins. “I came to [Hacks] feeling like I knew the least, and I certainly don’t know the most, but I do have a higher level of work ethic and a higher level of respect.”
Clemons-Hopkins reiterates that level of gratitude and respect over and over, referring to not only their peers on Hacks, but to anyone who has ever taken their craft and their own betterment seriously. There is a genuine wisdom embedded in the Emmy-nominated actor’s reflection, the same sort of wisdom that makes Hacks so funny yet so deceptively profound.
Listen to my full interview with Carl Clemons-Hopkins below. We discuss what else the show has taught them about the entertainment industry, and even dive into their background as a young actor in Philadelphia.
Season 3 of Hacks is streaming now on Max.
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