Fans of HBO’s gripping crime drama Task have a reason to celebrate. The network has officially confirmed the hit series will return for a second season. The show, which became a word-of-mouth sensation, will see Mark Ruffalo reprise his role as FBI Agent Tom Brandis.
The announcement was made by HBO and HBO Max chairman and CEO Casey Bloys during a recent press presentation. The renewal comes just over a month after the first season’s finale, cementing the show’s status as a flagship series for the network.
Strong Audience Growth Leads to Renewal
The decision to renew Task follows impressive viewership numbers. The series proved to be one of HBO’s fastest-growing debut seasons ever. The October 19 season one finale drew 4 million viewers on its first night across HBO and Max. By the finale date, the series premiere had grown to accumulate a total of 11.2 million viewers.
Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President of HBO Programming, praised the show’s performance. “We knew well in advance of its launch that we had a powerful drama series on our hands, but it has been so rewarding to witness the audience’s fervor and embrace of this show as it grew week after week,” she said. “Rarely does a writer balance humanistic storytelling with intricate, explosive plotting but Brad Ingelsby is one of our industry’s greats.”
The Creative Team Returns
The series comes from Brad Ingelsby, the creator behind the acclaimed limited series Mare of Easttown. Ingelsby will return as showrunner. He expressed his gratitude for the network’s support.
“We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have HBO’s unwavering support of Task from the very first script onwards, throughout production, and during their extraordinary launch of our first season to audiences,” said Ingelsby. “They are an unmatched creative home. On behalf of the entire Task team, in front of and behind the camera, I am honored and excited to get back to work on a second season of our show.”
Ingelsby executive produces alongside directors Jeremiah Zagar and Salli Richardson-Whitfield, as well as Paul Lee and Mark Roybal of wiip, Ruffalo, David Crockett, and Ron Schmidt.
What Was Season One About?
The first season of Task was set in the working-class suburbs of Philadelphia. The story followed Mark Ruffalo as FBI Agent Tom Brandis, a former Catholic priest who is pulled from a desk job to lead a law enforcement task force. His mission was to investigate a string of violent armed robberies targeting stash houses operated by the Dark Hearts, a dangerous motorcycle gang.
On the other side of the law was Tom Pelphrey’s character, Robbie Prendergrast, a garbage collector and family man who leads the robberies. His character was driven by a desire for revenge against the gang for the murder of his brother. The ensemble cast also included Emilia Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Fabien Frankel, and Martha Plimpton.
Also Read:
What We Know About Season Two
While HBO has not announced a specific release date for the new season, the confirmation of its production is the first major step. The network has not yet revealed which other cast members, beyond Ruffalo, will be returning for the next chapter.
The first season was filmed on location in Pennsylvania, making stops in Wissahickon Valley Park and the Italian Market. It is expected that the production will return to the state for season two.
The series currently holds a 96% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating strong reviews for its first season. With its compelling characters and intricate plotting, the show has drawn comparisons to Ingelsby’s previous work, establishing a dedicated audience eager for its return.
Also Read: NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 7: New Release Date and What to Expect
