Highly anticipated ‘Task’ arrives on HBO and HBO Max next month
Highly anticipated ‘Task’ arrives on HBO and HBO Max next month
Mark Ruffalo leads a task force chasing violent home invaders in this new seven-episode crime drama.
I’m still not over “Mare of Easttown” — it has one of the best drunk-acting scenes I’ve ever seen and an ending so shocking I just sat there, disoriented and kind of thrilled. So, when I heard creator Brad Ingelsby was back with a new HBO series, I was all in. “Task” looks like another gritty, emotionally messy crime drama set in suburban Philly, but this time we’ve got Mark Ruffalo leading a task force and Tom Pelphrey pulling off a string of violent home invasions. Last week, HBO confirmed that the series will premiere in the network’s prestige Sunday evening slot on Sept. 7 at 9 p.m. ET. With a stacked cast, weekly episodes, and a trailer that hints at something deeper than just good guys vs. bad guys, “Task” is already one of our most anticipated shows of the fall.
Everything you need to know about ‘Task’:
When will episodes of ‘Task’ come on HBO Max?
“Task” premieres on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max, with seven episodes total rolling out weekly. The show is slotted into an hour-long time slot, but the network has not yet confirmed what will be following “Task” on its linear channel. Since “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” doesn’t air until 11 p.m. ET, that does give show creator Brad Ingelsby some time to be flexible with the length of individual episodes.
| Day | Time (ET) | Episode | Outlet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Sept. 7 | 9 p.m. | Ep. 1: Crossings | HBO Max, HBO |
| Sunday, Sept. 14 | 9 p.m. | Ep. 2: TBD | HBO Max, HBO |
| Sunday, Sept. 21 | 9 p.m. | Ep. 3: TBD | HBO Max, HBO |
| Sunday, Sept. 28 | 9 p.m. | Ep. 4: TBD | HBO Max, HBO |
| Sunday, Oct. 5 | 9 p.m. | Ep. 5: TBD | HBO Max, HBO |
| Sunday, Oct. 12 | 9 p.m. | Ep. 6: TBD | HBO Max, HBO |
| Sunday, Oct. 19 | 9 p.m. | Ep. t: TBD (Season finale) | HBO Max, HBO |
Can you watch ‘Task’ for free?
Unfortunately, HBO Max does not offer a free trial. And while there are some live TV streaming services that provide free trials that include HBO, none will be long enough to catch all seven weeks of the season. So, the most cost-efficient option to watch “Task” is to sign up for HBO Max.
The streamer has three different subscription options. The ad-supported tier runs just $10 per month, while the two ad-supported options are $17 and $21, respectively, depending on how important some of the premium features are to you.
HBO Max
HBO Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library and exclusive Max Originals. There are hubs for content from TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, TCM, Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, ID, and more. Watch hit series like “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and more. Within HBO Max, B/R Sports allows users to watch live NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.
What is ‘Task’ about?
At first glance, “Task” sounds like a classic crime drama — an FBI agent builds a task force to stop a wave of violent home invasions — but the trailer hints at something a lot more layered. Set in the working-class suburbs of Philly, the show centers on two men heading for a collision: Mark Ruffalo plays the agent in charge, and Tom Pelphrey is the seemingly average family man behind the robberies. It’s got that same gritty, blue-collar energy that made “Mare of Easttown” so gripping, and coming from the same creator, Brad Ingelsby, expectations are definitely high.
What stands out already is the tone. From the little we’ve seen, “Task” looks less like a procedural and more like a slow-burn character study (much like “Mare” was). The trailer shows glimpses of community tension, addiction, and personal secrets bubbling just under the surface — and Ruffalo’s task force isn’t exactly made up of seasoned pros. That underdog setup, paired with a suspect who doesn’t fit the typical villain mold, makes it feel like this show is going to blur the lines between law and justice, guilt and survival.
If you’re into messy moral dilemmas and flawed characters trying to do the right thing (or at least not the worst thing), this looks like it’ll be right up your alley. And if Ingelsby can deliver anything close to the raw emotion and grounded storytelling of “Mare,” we’re probably in for a tense, twisty ride with plenty of emotional gut punches. “Task” drops this September on HBO Max, and yeah, I’ll be watching.
Watch the trailer for ‘Task’
Who stars in the ‘Task’ TV series?
Mark Ruffalo leads the cast of “Task” as an FBI agent tasked with heading up a new team investigating a wave of violent home invasions in the Philly suburbs. Opposite him is Tom Pelphrey, playing a quiet, seemingly ordinary family man who turns out to be at the center of the crimes. It’s a setup that promises tension from both sides of the law.
They’re joined by a stacked ensemble that includes Emilia Jones, Jamie McShane, Sam Keeley, Thuso Mbedu, Fabien Frankel, Alison Oliver, Raúl Castillo, Silvia Dionicio, Phoebe Fox, and Martha Plimpton. Mireille Enos also appears in a recurring role.
Is ‘Task’ based on a book?
Nope — Task isn’t based on a novel. It’s an original story from Brad Ingelsby, the creator of “Mare of Easttown.” Known for crafting grounded, emotionally intense dramas, Ingelsby came up with the concept and serves as the show’s writer and showrunner. So while it might feel like the kind of story pulled from a bestselling crime novel, this one’s straight from the mind of its creator — built specifically for TV.
Who are the creators behind ‘Task’?
“Task” comes from Brad Ingelsby, the writer and showrunner behind HBO’s “Mare of Easttown.” He created the series and also serves as executive producer, bringing his signature style of grounded characters, emotional weight, and slow-building tension to this new crime drama. If you liked the mix of community dynamics and personal fallout in “Mare,” you’ll probably feel right at home here.
Joining him behind the camera are directors Jeremiah Zagar and Salli Richardson-Whitfield, who also serve as executive producers. The producing team includes Mark Ruffalo, Mark Roybal, Paul Lee, David Crockett, and Ron Schmidt, along with co-executive producers Nicole Jordan-Webber and Jeremy Yaches. It’s a stacked crew with a strong mix of writing, directing, and producing experience — including past work in character-driven drama, film, and prestige TV.
What makes this team exciting is that they’re not just chasing plot — they’ve all got a track record of making stories that hit on an emotional level. With “Task,” they’re aiming for something more than just a crime show. It’s shaping up to be a series that asks hard questions, digs into human behavior, and looks really good while doing it.
Will there be a Season 2 of ‘Task’?
Right now, HBO hasn’t said whether “Task” will return for a second season. The show was created as a limited, seven-episode series, and from everything we’ve seen so far, it looks like a self-contained story. That said, with Brad Ingelsby at the helm and a cast this strong, there’s always a chance HBO could explore more if the show takes off. No official word yet — but if “Task” pulls in the kind of buzz “Mare of Easttown” did, don’t be surprised if conversations about continuing the story start to happen.
Task
In the working-class suburbs of Philadelphia, an FBI agent heads a task force assembled to put an end to a string of violent robberies led by an unsuspecting family man.