Earlier this year, on May 28, 2026, the beloved HBO Max series <em>Hacks</em> came to an end after five Emmy-winning seasons. Since then, while Jean Smart‘s Deborah Vance will continue to live on in TV history, viewers of the show are undoubtedly looking for a new comedy series to fill the same gap. Among their options is Showtime’s <em>Back to Life</em>, a 2019 dark comedy that, much like Hacks, is all about second chances.
The series, created and starring Daisy Haggard, ran for two seasons until 2021 and was beloved by critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series earned an impressive 100% from critics and a lower, yet still impressive, 85% from the audience. For Hacks fans looking for their next binge, look no further than this dark yet heartfelt comedy.
What Is ‘Back to Life’ About?
Unlike Deborah, who has high hopes for a second chance at fame as an aging Las Vegas comedian, Back to Life sees main character Miri Matteson (Haggard) as she returns to her small hometown in England after spending 18 years in prison. As it turns out, the 36-year-old spent almost two decades locked up over the death of her childhood best friend, Lara. Now, she returns to where it all began, determined to move forward and build a normal life. When she arrives, however, she realizes that moving on is a greater challenge than she thought when the community around her hasn’t forgotten and won’t stop reminding her of what happened. Living with her parents, reconnecting with people from her past, and attempting to navigate romance and employment prove difficult as she faces judgment, gossip, and the consequences of her actions.
As the series unfolds, Miri tries to understand her place in a world that has moved on without her while confronting the complicated circumstances surrounding Lara’s death when they were both 18.The show balances awkward, often uncomfortable humor with a more emotional exploration of guilt, loneliness, forgiveness, and the possibility of redemption. Rather than treating Miri’s return as a straightforward fresh start, Back to Life shows how difficult it can be to rebuild relationships and regain a sense of belonging when your past continues to define you. In addition to Haggard, the cast includes Geraldine James, Richard Durden, Christine Bottomley, Adeel Akhtar, and Jamie Michie.
‘Back to Life’ Is an Unexpected Yet Uplifting Follow-Up to ‘Hacks’
Image via Showtime
While the premise of Back to Life is certainly quite different from Hacks, both series are fundamentally about their central female character getting a second chance. While Back to Life has a darker approach with a tragic backstory, both Deborah and Miri try to redefine themselves throughout the course of the show and find their place in the world. In doing so, they both face judgment and loneliness and even find unexpected connections that help them along the way. Plus, while Hacks finds its best comedy moments through uncomfortable situations like workplace rivalries and generational conflict, Back to Life equally leans into awkward social encounters. When Miri returns home, she’s the subject of small-town gossip, outdated stigmas surrounding incarceration, and much more—it becomes the backbone of the series’ comedy.
With all that said, whether or not you’re a fan of Hacks, Showtime’s Back to Life is a critically acclaimed two-season series that’s a must-watch for comedy fans. By focusing on a woman attempting to get her life back after 18 years in prison, the series not only tells a unique eye-opening story but packs it with the perfect blend of dark humor awkward interactions and heartfelt moments.
