HBO’s ‘Task’ Brings Mark Ruffalo to the Heart of a Gritty Philadelphia Crime Drama
Brad Ingelsby, creator of Mare of Easttown, returns with a tense, character-driven miniseries led by an all-star cast.
HBO is diving back into the world of working-class crime stories with Task, a seven-episode drama premiering September 7, 2025. Created by Brad Ingelsby, the Emmy-winning mind behind Mare of Easttown, the series stars Mark Ruffalo as an FBI agent determined to stop a string of violent home invasions in the suburbs of Philadelphia. New episodes will air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT and stream on HBO Max.
Ruffalo plays Tom, a seasoned but “badly damaged” investigator who assembles a specialized task force to track the criminals responsible for terrorizing the community. As the team closes in, they’re forced to navigate not only dangerous confrontations but also the murky moral territory that comes with the job.
The show’s creative pedigree is one of its biggest draws. Ingelsby has a proven talent for mixing suspense with deeply human storytelling, and his new collaboration with Ruffalo promises to deliver both intensity and emotional depth. Ruffalo, also an executive producer, is joined by a cast that includes Ozark’s Tom Pelphrey, CODA’s Emilia Jones, and The Woman King’s Thuso Mbedu.
The ensemble doesn’t stop there. Supporting roles feature Raúl Castillo (Smile 2), Jamie McShane (1923), Fabien Frankel (House of the Dragon), Alison Oliver (Saltburn), and Martha Plimpton (The Good Wife). Together, they form a layered portrait of victims, perpetrators, and those caught somewhere in between.
Directors Jeremiah Zagar (Hustle) and Salli Richardson-Whitfield (The Gilded Age) bring a cinematic touch to the project, grounding the drama in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods while capturing the urgency of the investigation. The production is a collaboration between Low Dweller Productions, Public Record, wiip, and HBO Entertainment.
Beyond its procedural setup, Task digs into themes of family loyalty, the weight of past mistakes, and the fine line between justice and vengeance. The trailer hints at tense standoffs, unexpected alliances, and emotional reckonings that could reshape the characters’ lives.
For fans of Mare of Easttown and HBO’s trademark prestige crime dramas, Task looks poised to be the next watercooler hit, equal parts thrilling and emotionally resonant.
