Home / Arts and Entertainment / Influencer Lands Acting Role on HBO's 'Hacks'
Influencer Lands Acting Role on HBO's 'Hacks'
16 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Influencer Jake Shane cast as Social Media Girlie on HBO's 'Hacks'.
- Jennifer Aniston wrote a personal letter to Jeremy Irons for 'The Morning Show'.
- An actor's pre-existing beard and hair influenced casting for 'Task'.
Casting directors are navigating the challenge of integrating new talent into established shows, ensuring seamless integration with existing casts. For HBO's 'Hacks,' influencer Jake Shane was cast as Social Media Girlie, a role originally written for a woman, due to his comedic TikTok background and natural acting ability, which perfectly matched the character's online persona.
Elsewhere, 'The Morning Show' attracted prestigious talent like Jeremy Irons, who joined the cast as Alex's estranged father after receiving a personal letter from co-star Jennifer Aniston. The show also introduced Boyd Holbrook as a compelling love interest for Aniston's character, chosen for his ability to balance charisma with a potentially off-putting persona.
In a different approach, the casting for 'Task' involved finding an actor who could embody both strength and fatherly qualities. Casting director Avy Kaufman identified Tom Pelphrey for the role of Robbie Prendergrast, with the actor's authentic self-tape and pre-existing long beard and hair significantly influencing the final decision, aligning perfectly with the character's envisioned appearance.
