Julianne Nicholson’s Unrecognizable Role in Hacks After Villainous Paradise Turn

by

WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Hacks season 4, episode 5.

In the 5th episode of Hacks season 4 titled “Clickable Face,” Julianne Nicholson’s appearance contrasts sharply with her villainous character in the hit series Paradise. A versatile actress, Nicholson is renowned for her roles such as Jenny Shaw on Ally McBeal (2001), and Tully (2000 film). She garnered an Emmy for her supporting role as Lori Ross in Mare of Easttown (HBO miniseries) in 2021. Amongst her impressive filmography, she has starred in August: Osage County, Black Mass, I, Tonya, Blonde, Dream Scenario, and The Amateur.

In a remarkable turn of events, Nicholson previously collaborated with Jean Smart, the star of the series “Hacks”, on the limited series “Mare of Easttown”. Both actresses were recognized for their exceptional performances by receiving nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series. The fifth episode of season 4 of “Hacks” marks the long-awaited screen reunion for these two talented ladies since their acclaimed work together on HBO. Following its victory over “The Bear” at last year’s Emmy Awards, “Hacks” has now welcomed Nicholson as a guest star, making her first appearance in the series. However, it comes as a surprise that Nicholson, known for her dramatic roles on television, is taking on a comedic role in “Hacks”.

Directly After Playing Paradise Season 1’s Villain, Julianne Nicholson Plays Dance Mom In Hacks Season 4

Dance Mom Is A Normal Person Who Gained Internet Fame On TikTok

Previously, Nicholson portrayed a sinister character named Sinatra in the hit series “Paradise”, which premiered on Hulu in January 2025 and featured Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden. This conspiracy thriller follows Secret Service agent Xavier Collins as he delves into the mysterious death of the president of an ideal community, uncovering disturbing secrets about the seemingly tranquil society in which he resides. The entire nine-episode season of “Paradise” is now streaming on Hulu.

For those who recall Nicholson from her role as Sinatra in “Paradise,” which aired its season 1 finale back in early March 2025, it’s quite a shock to witness her transitioning from playing an antagonist to embodying an innocent Canadian TikTok sensation in “Hacks” season 4. Nicholson’s character from “Dance Moms” serves as an example of contemporary forms of pseudo-celebrity, primarily thriving on social media platforms like TikTok. While Jean Smart’s Deborah Vance is a traditional Hollywood star, hosting her own late-night show on a major cable network, the fame garnered by “Dance Moms” underscores for Deborah the internet’s potential power.

Julianne Nicholson’s Hacks Role Is A Great Change Of Pace From Her Recent TV Shows

Nicholson Still Had To Put In The Work For Her Multiple Dancing Scenes

In her usual acting repertoire, Nicholson is often seen in gripping drama series like Paradise, Mare of Easttown, The Outsider, Masters of Sex, and Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. Given that she’s known for taking on more serious roles, it’s refreshing to find her stepping out of her comfort zone with a lighter role as Dance Mom in Hacks.

Despite Dance Moms appearing lighthearted in Hacks, Nicholson treated the role with equal seriousness. As she shared in a recent interview with The Los Angeles Times, Nicholson “collaborated with a choreographer twice a week, spending hours to internalize and make the moves feel natural.” She further admitted that her dance routines in Hacks left her breathless, even if they were just 2.5 minutes long. This included her TikTok performances too. Surprisingly, she underestimated how physically demanding it would be to repeat the dances multiple times.

In the upcoming season 4 of Hacks, it’s anticipated that the character played by Nicholson on Dance Moms will appear in three episodes. This suggests that by the end of season 4, episode 5, her success on the show could lead to further guest appearances. Interestingly, her Dance Moms character adds a twist to the ongoing feud between Deborah and Ava regarding the creative direction of their show, as both perceive Dance Moms as low-brow comedy. Additionally, this character provides Jimmy and Kayla with new opportunities as her managers, as she gains mainstream popularity in Hacks season 4.

Read More

2025-05-03 12:38