If you’ve been scrolling through HBO Max lately wondering where that "Hulk guy" went, you probably stumbled upon Task. It isn't just another police procedural. Honestly, it’s closer to a punch in the gut that lingers for a few days.
People are calling it the spiritual successor to Mare of Easttown, which makes sense because Brad Ingelsby wrote both. But while Mare was about a small-town detective trying to find a missing girl, the Mark Ruffalo tv show Task is something much bleaker. It’s about a former priest turned FBI agent named Tom Brandis who is basically hanging on by a thread.
He’s not a superhero here. Far from it.
What Really Happened in Task Season 1
The show dropped in late 2025 and took everyone by surprise. You've got Ruffalo playing Brandis, a guy who took a long break from field work after a massive family tragedy involving his adopted son, Ethan. He’s pulled back into the world of grit and grime by his boss, Kathleen McGinty (played by the always-excellent Martha Plimpton), to lead a task force.
The goal? Stop a string of violent "trap house" robberies.
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What makes the show stand out is that we actually spend time with the criminals. Tom Pelphrey plays Robbie Prendergast, a garbage collector who is robbing drug houses to keep his family afloat. You sort of find yourself rooting for him, even though he’s doing terrible things. It’s that classic HBO "no one is truly good" vibe.
The cast is stacked:
- Emilia Jones as Maeve, the niece left holding the pieces.
- Fabien Frankel (the knight from House of the Dragon) as a detective with way too many secrets.
- Thuso Mbedu and Alison Oliver rounding out the unit.
It’s the kind of show where the atmosphere in Delaware County feels like a character itself. Gray skies, brick houses, and a lot of smoking. If you haven't seen the finale, "A Still Small Voice," brace yourself. It doesn't wrap things up with a neat little bow.
The Big News: Task Season 2 is Officially Coming
For a while, everyone thought this was a one-and-done miniseries. That’s usually how Ingelsby rolls. But HBO confirmed in November 2025 that the Mark Ruffalo tv show is returning for a second season.
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This is huge.
The first season was a "slow-burn" success. It didn't have massive numbers on day one, but by the time the finale aired, viewership had jumped by 30%. It’s currently tearing up the streaming charts in over 50 countries.
Brad Ingelsby mentioned in a recent interview that he loves writing about the working-class suburbs of Philadelphia. He even teased the idea of a "Wawa crossover" where Mark Ruffalo's character might run into Kate Winslet’s Mare. Imagine that. Two of the most stressed-out people in Pennsylvania sharing a coffee by the gas pumps.
What can we expect next?
- Tom Brandis' Evolution: Season 1 was about him finding his feet again. Season 2 will likely see him in a mentorship role.
- A New Case: Since the Robbie Prendergast storyline reached a very... definitive end, we’re probably getting a fresh set of "villains."
- The Return of the Unit: While some characters might move on, fans are hoping to see Aleah (Thuso Mbedu) and Anthony (Fabien Frankel) back in the mix.
Why Mark Ruffalo Keeps Winning at TV
Ruffalo has this weirdly specific talent for playing broken men who are trying their best. Think back to I Know This Much Is True. He played identical twins, one with schizophrenia, and won an Emmy for it. He doesn't shy away from the ugly stuff—the weight gain, the crying, the messy hair.
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In Task, he’s doing it again.
He’s an executive producer on the show, which usually means he’s deeply invested in the script. You can tell. There’s a scene where he’s just sitting in a car, looking at a photo of his family, and he doesn't say a word. He doesn't have to. You see the whole history of his grief in his eyes.
Is It Worth the Watch?
If you like True Detective or The Wire, then yeah, obviously. But if you’re looking for a lighthearted romp, stay far away. This show deals with drug addiction, poverty, and the literal weight of religious guilt.
The pacing can be a bit wonky sometimes. Episode four feels like it drags a little, but the payoff in the final two episodes is worth the wait. It’s one of those shows that rewards you for paying attention to the small details in the background.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Binge it now: If you haven't seen Season 1, get on Max. It’s only seven episodes. You can knock it out in a weekend.
- Watch the extras: HBO released a "Making of Task" featurette that shows how they scouted the locations in Pennsylvania. It’s actually pretty cool to see how they made the setting feel so lived-in.
- Keep an eye on 2027: That’s the whispered release date for Season 2. Production is slated to begin later this year, so don't expect it to drop anytime soon.
Mark Ruffalo has found his niche in prestige TV. He’s moved past the green screen and into the gray streets of Philly, and honestly? We’re all better off for it.