Cast of Task (Miniseries) – Full List of Actors and Characters

If you loved the gritty tension of Mare of Easttown, Task brings together Mark Ruffalo, Tom Pelphrey, and rising star Emilia Jones in a story about a botched robbery that unravels a Pennsylvania town. Here’s the full cast, the Mare connection, and what makes this miniseries worth your time.

Creator: Brad Ingelsby ·
Network: HBO ·
Lead Actor: Mark Ruffalo ·
Genre: Crime drama

Key facts about the series are compiled below.

What is the new HBO series Task about?

Who stars in Task?

The series is anchored by a powerhouse trio. Mark Ruffalo plays Tom Brandis, an FBI agent and former priest who leads a task force investigating violent robberies in the Philadelphia suburbs (NPR). Tom Pelphrey takes on the role of Robbie Prendergrast, a sanitation worker and drug-house robber whose actions set the plot in motion (People). Emilia Jones plays Maeve, Robbie’s 21-year-old niece, caught in the middle (People).

What is the plot of Task?

According to CBS News Philadelphia, the show centers on an FBI task force formed after a robbery turns deadly. Ruffalo’s character, a former priest grappling with personal tragedy, must decide how far he’ll go to stop a wave of violence. Pelphrey’s Robbie, meanwhile, robs drug houses to survive, creating a cat-and-mouse dynamic.

Is Task HBO worth watching?

Early reviews have been positive, with Collider praising the performances and Ingelsby’s writing. The tight six-episode structure keeps the story focused. For fans of slow-burn crime dramas with emotional weight, Task delivers.

For another tightly written crime story, see The Thursday Murder Club: Cast, Sequel and Where to Watch.

The early consensus suggests Task is a worthy addition to HBO’s crime drama lineup.

Is Task based on a true story?

What inspired Task?

No—Task is entirely fictional. Creator Brad Ingelsby told NPR that he drew on his upbringing in suburban Philadelphia to create an authentic, working-class atmosphere. The procedural details are realistic, but the central crime and characters are invented.

Are any characters based on real people?

None of the characters have real-life counterparts. Ingelsby has stated in interviews that the story is a product of his imagination, though the setting reflects the blue-collar communities he knows well (NPR).

The implication: Fictional doesn’t mean less impactful when grounded in real places.

How many episodes are in Task HBO?

Is Task a limited series?

Task consists of six episodes, which aired weekly starting September 2025 (People). It is marketed as a limited miniseries, meaning the story wraps up by the final episode.

Is Task season 2 filming?

As of early 2026, HBO has not officially ordered a second season. However, a Variety report in July 2026 described a potential second season that would crossover with Mare of Easttown, involving Julianne Nicholson. That report remains unconfirmed.

The catch: Until HBO confirms a second season, viewers should approach crossover rumors with caution.

Is Task a follow up to Mare of Easttown?

How are they connected?

Task is not a direct sequel to Mare of Easttown, but the two series share a creative DNA. Both were created by Brad Ingelsby and are set in the working-class suburbs of Philadelphia (NPR). The tone—blue-collar grit mixed with emotional depth—is strikingly similar.

Is Brad Ingelsby involved?

Yes, Ingelsby created both shows. He is the sole creator of Task and serves as executive producer (NPR).

Are there shared actors?

While no characters from Mare of Easttown appear in Task, several actors crossed over. Notably, Jamie McShane (who played a small role in Mare) appears in Task as Perry Dorazo (CBS News Philadelphia). The casting feels like a reunion for fans of the earlier series.

What this means: Both shows share DNA but stand alone.

Where was the TV series Task filmed?

Where is the quarry in Task?

A key location is a limestone quarry in Chester County, Pennsylvania, used for a tense robbery sequence (CBS News Philadelphia). The same quarry was previously used in Stranger Things, though for entirely different scenes.

Which ritas was Task filmed at?

Production filmed at a Rita’s Italian Ice location in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, which appears as a meeting spot for characters (CBS News Philadelphia).

Where did Stranger Things film the quarry scene?

The quarry used in Stranger Things is the same one seen in Task. Both productions capitalized on the dramatic landscape of the same Pennsylvania site (CBS News Philadelphia).

The implication: Filming in real, recognizable Pennsylvania locations gives Task an authenticity that the series’ best reviews have credited with elevating the story beyond a standard crime drama.

The implication: These real-world locations add a layer of authenticity that critics have praised.

For more cast guides, see Cast of Mission: Impossible 8: The Final Reckoning Roster.

What Critics Are Saying

“The show is not a sequel but it shares a similar tone and emotional honesty.”

— Brad Ingelsby, creator, in an interview with NPR

“Ruffalo brings a weary gravitas to Tom Brandis, a former priest haunted by his past.”

— People review

“Pelphrey’s Robbie is a tragic figure you can’t look away from.”

— Collider

The pattern across early reviews is clear: the cast is the show’s strongest asset, with Ruffalo and Pelphrey delivering standout performances. For viewers who value character-driven crime dramas, Task offers a complete package anchored by Ruffalo’s gravitas.

Frequently asked questions