HBO’s Task, created by Brad Ingelsby, is a crime drama set against the backdrop of suburban Philadelphia—but its focus extends well beyond the surface of a traditional cops-and-robbers narrative.
It’s led by Mark Ruffalo as grieving FBI Agent Tom Brandis, and Tom Pelphrey as Robbie Prendergrast– anchored by a strong supporting cast that includes Fabien Frankel, Emilia Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Raúl Castillo, Jamie McShane, Sam Keeley, Alison Oliver, Mickey Sumner, and more.
Brandis heads a task force investigating a series of violent robberies committed by Robbie Prendergrast (Tom Pelphrey), an outwardly ordinary family man and garbage collector, and as their paths converge episode by episode, the show highlights the emotional and psychological toll on both men.
Reflecting on how his personal experience shaped his approach to the role, Pelphrey said “Becoming a father just changes who you are… and certainly now, where I would have had to imagine what it meant in the past, playing a character with children, I know what it means now. I don’t have to guess anymore.”
The series places significant emphasis on authenticity, both in character and setting. Filmed in Chester and Delaware Counties, Task draws on real-life influences from the area. Ingelsby brought in an array of technical advisors to ensure they were nailing down the smallest of details– local law enforcement, a former biker, and even an ex-priest who had worked with the FBI.
This kind of attention to detail is what made his standout Mare of Easttown so popular. Ingelsby’s 2021 HBO series, also based in a small town outside Philadelphia, starred Kate Winslet as a detective investigating a murder and earned 16 Emmy nominations, winning 4. “If we’re going to make a story again about this place… we have to shoot it there,” Ingelsby said.
The show also builds on Ingelsby’s continued interest in characters grappling with faith and identity. Inspired in part by his uncle, a former Augustinian priest, the show presents Brandis as a man who has lost his belief and is searching for meaning through the work. “He’s seeking some of it back, but he doesn’t know how or why,” Ingelsby said.
The cast worked closely with the creative team to shape the tone and delivery, supporting one another through the intense subject matter. Raúl Castillo (who portrays Robbie’s best friend and partner in crime) said, “I feel like part of Brad’s genius is his ability to depict humanity with its best and worst components and make you fall in love with these characters. There’s no villains. I feel like in life there are no good or bad people. We all make good and bad choices. I think he’s really brilliant at always getting to the heart of humanity in his scripts.”
At its core, Task is a story about people shaped by their circumstances, all of whom are doing the best they can. Ingelsby shared, “I hope we leave audiences with the feeling that they spent time with people they got to know in a really meaningful way, and they’re hopeful for the future of these characters.”
New episodes of Task will premiere on HBO weekly, on Sundays at 9pm ET.
