Task TV Show: Cast, Episodes, Season 2 & Where to Watch

Mark Ruffalo leads a seven-episode crime drama set in the working-class suburbs of Philadelphia, where an FBI task force pursues a garbage collector running trap house robberies with his family. HBO confirmed Task is coming back for Season 2, with Mahershala Ali joining as a rival DEA agent.

Creator: Brad Ingelsby ·
Lead Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones ·
Episodes: 7 ·
Network: HBO ·
Status: Renewed for Season 2

Is there a season 2 of Task?

Yes — HBO officially renewed Task for Season 2, with Mark Ruffalo confirmed to return as FBI agent Tom Brandis. The network announced the renewal in 2026, signaling confidence in the series after its tight seven-episode run.

Renewal announcement

The renewal came with significant news on the casting front. Deadline first reported on March 23 that Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali was joining the cast as Eddie Barnes, a seasoned DEA agent based in Philadelphia. According to Esquire (entertainment coverage authority), Ali’s character description positions him as a professional rival to Ruffalo’s Brandis, with their respective agencies coming into direct conflict.

Returning cast details

Mark Ruffalo is the only confirmed returnee so far. While Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, and the rest of the Season 1 ensemble delivered standout performances, HBO has not yet announced their status for Season 2. The addition of Mahershala Ali as a high-profile new lead suggests the show may be expanding its scope — or introducing new dynamics that could reshape existing character arcs.

Is Task worth watching?

Task delivers what HBO prestige dramas do best: a tight ensemble, morally complex characters, and a setting that feels lived-in rather than decorative. The Philadelphia suburbs serve as more than backdrop — the working-class context gives the family heist plot genuine stakes.

Critical reception

Reviews have been mixed but not dismissive. The series has drawn comparisons to Mare of Easttown, another HBO crime drama from creator Brad Ingelsby, which also starred Kate Winslet. Critics note that Task shares that show’s patient pacing and character-driven approach, though some feel it lacks the breakthrough emotional hook that made Mare so discussable.

Viewer pros and cons

Is Task a sequel to Mare of Easttown?

Task is not a direct sequel to Mare of Easttown, but the two shows share a creator, a genre, and a regional setting. That connection is worth understanding if you’re deciding whether to watch them in order.

Connections to Mare of Easttown

Both series are set in the Philadelphia area and written by Brad Ingelsby. Mare of Easttown aired on HBO in 2021 and starred Kate Winslet as a detective investigating a murder in a small Pennsylvania town. Task shifts the geography slightly — from Easttown to the Philadelphia suburbs — and changes the investigative focus from a single crime to a spree of armed robberies.

Shared creator Brad Ingelsby

Brad Ingelsby has built a reputation for character-driven crime dramas rooted in working-class American settings. His approach in Task mirrors Mare of Easttown in pacing and tone: long scenes, quiet tension, and characters whose moral compromises feel inevitable rather than sensational.

“Set in the working class suburbs of Philadelphia, an FBI agent (Mark Ruffalo) heads a Task Force to put an end to a string of violent robberies led by an unsuspecting family man (Tom Pelphrey).”

— TV Guide (streaming and broadcast guide authority)

How many episodes of Task show are there?

Task Season 1 contains exactly seven episodes, each running approximately one hour. The season aired weekly on Sundays on HBO Max, concluding in October 2025.

Episode count and release schedule

All seven episodes followed a weekly Sunday release pattern. The premiere launched on September 7, 2025, with subsequent episodes airing each Sunday through October 19, 2025. This release strategy — dropping the full season weekly rather than all at once — encouraged viewer discussion and theorizing between episodes, a tactic HBO has used for other limited series.

Episode 7 details

The finale, titled “A Still Small Voice,” aired on October 19, 2025. Without spoiling plot specifics, the episode brought the Season 1 investigation to a close while leaving threads open for Season 2 — most notably the fates of characters including Maeve Prendergrast and the broader implications of the family operation.

Where to watch Task TV show?

Task is an HBO original, which means the primary streaming home is HBO Max. If you already subscribe to that platform, all seven episodes are available on demand.

Streaming platforms

HBO Max remains the exclusive streaming home for Task. The platform streams new episodes the morning after their Sunday broadcast, typically around 6 a.m. ET. Subscribers also get access to the full HBO library, including Mare of Easttown and other crime dramas.

Netflix availability

Task is not currently available on Netflix in the United States. HBO Max holds exclusive rights as the parent company’s streaming platform. International availability varies by region, and some viewers outside the U.S. may find Task on regional HBO Max equivalents or through different licensing arrangements.

Related reading: The Rookie Cast: Exits, Deaths & Returns in 8 Seasons · Cast of Blue Lights

Mark Ruffalo’s gripping performance in the Task miniseries breakdown laid the foundation for Season 2’s renewal with Mahershala Ali joining the FBI-family robbery saga.

Frequently asked questions

For viewers weighing whether to start Task now or wait for Season 2, the case is clear: with all seven episodes available on HBO Max, you can watch the complete first season before any Season 2 details emerge. Mark Ruffalo’s restrained performance gives the series an anchor that rewards binge-watching, and the family heist twist provides enough narrative distinction to stand apart from the HBO crime drama pack.