Yes I tried connecting the display directly to the hat without an extension.
I used minimum example from GxEPD github:
I'm at a dead end. I have some Dfrobot firebeetle 2 esp32 units on the way so I'll try that unit.
If that doesn't work, I'll just buy original Good Display epaper and Despi adapter.Then I'll find out what's wrong.
Thanks for the responses