The HBO crime drama Task is adding major star power for its second season. Two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali has signed on to star opposite Mark Ruffalo in the upcoming season of the critically acclaimed series. The news comes as production moves forward on one of 2025’s most talked-about new shows, which earned strong reviews and a quick renewal from the network.
The first season of Task, created by Brad Ingelsby (known for Mare of Easttown), followed Ruffalo’s character, FBI agent Tom Brandis, as he led a task force investigating violent robberies targeting stash houses controlled by dangerous motorcycle gangs in Philadelphia. The show debuted on HBO in September 2025 and received a 96 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, with many critics calling it one of the best new series of the year. The show was renewed for a second season shortly after its first season finale aired in October 2025.
Mahershala Ali’s Role in Task Season 2
Ali will play Eddie Barnes, described as a seasoned and well-respected DEA agent working in Philadelphia. According to the official season 2 logline, Barnes’ team will come into direct conflict with the task force led by Ruffalo’s character, Tom Brandis. The synopsis states, “Tom Brandis takes the helm of a new task force, but the deeper the operation runs, the harder it is to tell who’s the target.”
This casting marks a reunion between Ali and HBO, where he previously led the third season of True Detective in 2019, a role that earned him an Emmy nomination. Ali’s character in True Detective, Detective Wayne Hays, was also a complex law enforcement figure dealing with personal and professional challenges across multiple timelines. The actor’s return to the crime drama genre on the same network has generated significant interest among viewers who appreciated his work in that series.
Ali is currently the only new cast member confirmed for season 2 besides Ruffalo. Multiple reports indicate that several actors from the first season, including Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, Jamie McShane, and Fabien Frankel, will not be returning for the second season. The first season’s story concluded with a resolution for many of those characters, allowing the show to move in a new direction with Brandis leading a different investigation.
What to Expect from Task Season 2
The second season brings back Brad Ingelsby as showrunner, writer, and executive producer. Ingelsby previously worked with HBO on Mare of Easttown, the limited series starring Kate Winslet that won multiple Emmy Awards. Mark Roybal and Paul Lee from the production company wiip will also return as executive producers, along with Ruffalo himself, Ron Schmidt, and Jeremiah Zagar. Karen Wacker and Nicole Jordan-Webber will serve as co-executive producers.
The new season’s story will shift focus to a fresh case. While the first season centered on Brandis tracking a criminal mastermind played by Tom Pelphrey, season 2 will involve the DEA and introduce institutional conflict between federal agencies. The logline’s mention that “it’s harder to tell who’s the target” suggests the investigation will involve blurred lines and potential internal complications.
“Task is absolutely, without a doubt, one of the best new shows of the year. Everything about it is terrific…the acting, writing, directing, cinematography, etc, etc. It’s HBO at its best.”
— IMDb user review
Ali’s Recent Work and Upcoming Projects
For Ali, this role marks his first major television appearance since True Detective season 3 in 2019. He has stayed busy with film work in recent years. His most recent movie release was Jurassic World: Rebirth, where he appeared alongside Scarlett Johansson. He also starred in the 2023 Netflix film Leave the World Behind with Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke, and appeared in the Apple TV+ film The Swan Song.
The actor has several upcoming projects as well. He has voice roles in animated films including Wildwood and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. He is also attached to star in Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, a dramatic thriller written and directed by Bassam Tariq.
Ruffalo, meanwhile, continues to balance film and television work. His upcoming projects include Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Good Sex, Being Heumann, and Santo Subito! He also serves as an executive producer on Task alongside his producing partner Ron Schmidt.
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Production Status and Streaming Details
Task season 2 is currently in pre-production. The first season consisted of seven episodes and aired weekly on HBO before becoming available on streaming platforms. The show is available to stream on Max in the United States, on Sky and NOW in the United Kingdom, and on JioHotstar in India.
HBO has not yet announced a release date for the second season. Given the current pre-production stage, filming is expected to begin later in 2026, with a potential release in late 2026 or early 2027. The network has not confirmed how many episodes the second season will have or whether additional cast members will be announced in the coming weeks.
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