HBO New series 'Task' (2025) Plot, Cast, Release Date & additional info.

Task is an upcoming American crime drama limited series created and written by Brad Ingelsby for HBO, the creator of the critically acclaimed Mare of Easttown. The miniseries stars Mark Ruffalo and is set to premiere in September 2025 on HBO and Max. It is produced in association with wiip, the same production company behind Mare of Easttown. The series is set in the working-class suburbs of Philadelphia and follows a complex narrative involving an FBI task force and the criminals they pursue.
Plot
The series centers on Tom Brandis (Mark Ruffalo), an FBI agent leading a task force to stop a series of violent drug-house robberies orchestrated by Robbie Prendergrast (Tom Pelphrey), an unsuspecting family man and small-town garbage collector. The story explores the troubled pasts and personal grief of both men as their paths collide, blending gripping action with emotional depth. The series is noted for its authentic portrayal of the Philadelphia suburbs, capturing local accents and settings with precision, much like Mare of Easttown. There is also a potential connection to the Mare of Easttown universe, with Ruffalo suggesting that the two series share the same setting and that his character might interact with Kate Winslet’s Mare Sheehan in the future.
Cast
  • Mark Ruffalo as Tom Brandis, a "badly damaged but fighting for good" FBI agent, a former priest dealing with personal tragedy. Ruffalo gained weight for the role to reflect Tom’s emotional state.
  • Tom Pelphrey as Robbie Prendergrast, a sanitation worker and family man behind the robberies, characterized by resilience despite life’s hardships. Pelphrey grew out his hair and beard and added tattoos to enhance his character’s authenticity.
  • Martha Plimpton as Kathleen McGinty, a career FBI agent who recruits Tom but faces forced retirement.
  • Mireille Enos as Susan Brandis, Tom’s loving wife and the reason he left the priesthood.
  • Emilia Jones as Maeve, Robbie’s niece.
  • Thuso Mbedu, Fabien Frankel, Alison Oliver, Raúl Castillo, Jamie McShane, and Sam Keeley as members of the task force or other key roles.
  • Recurring cast includes Owen Teague (as Peaches), Dominic Colón, Margarita Levieva, Raphael Sbarge, Mickey Sumner, Elvis Nolasco, Brian Goodman, Colin Bates, Isaach De Bankolé, Phoebe Fox, Silvia Dionicio, and Coral Peña.
Production Details
  • Creator/Writer: Brad Ingelsby, under his three-year overall deal with HBO.
  • Directors: Jeremiah Zagar (directing multiple episodes, including the pilot) and Salli Richardson-Whitfield (directing multiple episodes and executive producing).
  • Executive Producers: Brad Ingelsby, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremiah Zagar, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Paul Lee, Mark Roybal (wiip), and David Crockett. Nicole Jordan-Webber and Jeremy Yaches are co-executive producers.
  • Filming: The series filmed in the Philadelphia area, including Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County, and Bangor, Northampton County, with production running through August 2024. Scenes were shot near a quarry in Bangor and in Mont Clare.
  • Technical Advisers: Ingelsby enlisted a former FBI agent, the chief of police from Easttown Township, and a former biker gang member to ensure authenticity.
Connection to Mare of Easttown
Task is set in the same universe as Mare of Easttown, with both series taking place in the Philadelphia suburbs. Ruffalo has hinted at possible crossovers, suggesting that his character could meet Kate Winslet’s Mare Sheehan, though no concrete details have been confirmed. This connection is a significant marketing point, capitalizing on the success of Mare of Easttown, which earned 16 Emmy nominations and four wins.
Release and Promotion
  • Premiere: Scheduled for September 2025 on HBO and Max.
  • First-Look Images: Released by Vanity Fair on May 8, 2025, showcasing Ruffalo, Pelphrey, and other cast members in action and family settings.
  • Trailer: The first teaser trailer was released on May 15, 2025, highlighting the series’ intense crime drama elements.
  • Tone and Style: Described as more ambitious than Mare of Easttown, with a mix of action-packed sequences and powerful emotional moments, maintaining Ingelsby’s focus on character-driven storytelling.
Reception and Expectations
While Task has not yet premiered, it has generated significant buzz due to Ingelsby’s track record, Ruffalo’s Emmy-winning history with HBO (I Know This Much Is True), and the strong ensemble cast. The series is expected to replicate the authentic regional storytelling and complex character dynamics that made Mare of Easttown a hit. Posts on X reflect excitement for the series, emphasizing its connection to Mare of Easttown and Ruffalo’s starring role.
Additional Notes
  • The series was initially untitled, with the name Task announced in November 2024.
  • Casting decisions were made before the 2023 writers’ strike, and production was delayed until 2024.
  • The series is expected to appeal to fans of Mare of Easttown for its similar setting and themes, while offering a fresh story with a broader scope.

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