Mark Ruffalo stars in a gripping new HBO crime drama called Task, teaming up once again with Brad Ingelsby, the writer behind Mare of Easttown. The series, premiering September 7, follows Ruffalo’s character, a former priest turned FBI agent, as he leads a task force investigating a violent crime ring in Pennsylvania. The show explores complex themes of faith and human struggle alongside a tense criminal chase, blending intense character studies with a raw crime narrative.
Exploring Invisible Lives and Hidden Stories
Task is crafted to expose the lives of characters who might otherwise go unnoticed, peeling back their daily realities to reveal deeper emotional and moral conflicts. Creator Brad Ingelsby described the inspiration behind the series to Entertainment Weekly, emphasizing the presence of invisible figures in everyday neighborhoods.
“The people that know you in life are essentially invisible,”
he said.
“Every day, your mailman drives through your neighborhood. He knows your bills and magazines, and the trash men know what you’re eating, your Amazon boxes — and that resonated.”
—Brad Ingelsby, Series Creator
Set firmly in Ingelsby’s Pennsylvanian roots, the story carries the distinct regional dialect and atmosphere that fans will recognize from Mare of Easttown. This familiar setting contrasts with the intense emotional and criminal spirals the characters must navigate, drawing viewers into a world that feels simultaneously authentic and unsettling.
The Dualities of Tom and Robbie: Faith, Loss, and Justice
Mark Ruffalo’s character Tom is at the center of the series—a man marked by loss and spiritual disillusionment. Once a priest, he now serves in the FBI, burdened by a tragic family event involving his adopted son. Tom’s internal struggles with faith and personal pain power the narrative, as he leads a varied task force, including members played by Thuso Mbedu, Alison Oliver, and Fabien Frankel, toward unraveling the activities of Robbie, a local garbage collector with a hidden criminal life portrayed by Tom Pelphrey.
On the surface, Tom and Robbie appear ordinary and flawed. Tom’s day-to-day life involves coping with grief and searching for purpose,
“hunching over his desk, lazily shoveling sausage-and-onion sandwiches into his mouth,”
while handling a rocky relationship with his grieving teenage daughter. Robbie, driven by revenge after his brother’s murder at the hands of a biker gang, seeks a different kind of justice. His motivation intertwines with protecting his niece Maeve (Emilia Jones), adding layers of familial tension and emotional stakes.
Ruffalo sees the intersection of these two men’s paths as a powerful narrative core.
“We empathize with these people, we relate to them, and it’s totally engaging, because it’s cops and robbers. It’s the chase, danger, and crime,”
he explained. He added,
“The wonderful world of a detective on an investigation, slowly unraveling in this collision course of these two characters that we know have to meet one day and wonder what will happen when they finally do.”
—Mark Ruffalo, Actor
The Themes of Belief and Family Intertwined
Task delves deeply into questions about the nature of belief and the meaning of family, both chosen and born into. The show’s narrative probes how faith can shape identity and purpose, and how its loss or transformation challenges individuals. The contrast between Tom’s religious background and Robbie’s secular form of justice underscores the complexities of their journeys.
Brad Ingelsby’s personal connection to the subject matter is evident. Coming from a family with a strong clerical tradition, he shared that his uncle left the priesthood after 30 years, sparking conversations about shifting beliefs.
“When my uncle left the priesthood, I had a lot of questions,”
Ingelsby recalled.
“For Task, I was interested in a character whose belief system comes crumbling down, and now has to put the pieces back. That’s something I deal with every day: What do I believe about God?”
—Brad Ingelsby, Series Creator
Similarly, Ruffalo’s own complicated relationship with religion informs his portrayal of Tom. Raised in a family blending Catholicism, Bahá’í Faith, and evangelical Christianity, Ruffalo reflected on his early indoctrination.
“Whether I wanted to or not,”
he said, he was immersed in different belief systems. He also connected with roles that resonate with personal struggles, stating,
“I’m mystically drawn to certain parts that can address issues in your own life.”
—Mark Ruffalo, Actor
Faith Amidst Doubt and Human Frailty
Ruffalo candidly expressed his skepticism and conflicted feelings toward organized religion, while also acknowledging the core virtues that faith advocates.
“You’d have to have a lot of faith right now or be delusional to not question the concept of some benevolent being overseeing mankind’s struggles. The way religion is being used today is a huge turn-off. I’ve struggled with it for a couple of decades now,”
he admitted. Ruffalo continued,
“There’s a lot of human foible attached to it that’s commandeered, manipulated, diluted, poisoned, and corrupted it. But, it’s hard to tell the forest from the trees, and this show reminds me of the essence of it, which is concepts of empathy, compassion, love, forgiveness, tolerance, and humility.”
—Mark Ruffalo, Actor
The show’s exploration of these themes adds emotional depth and philosophical weight to what could otherwise be a straightforward crime thriller, balancing suspense with moments of grace and introspection.
Engaging Characters and Intense Storytelling with Unexpected Twists
Task maintains its appeal not only through thematic richness but also through engaging storytelling marked by tension, mystery, and unexpected developments. Martha Plimpton delivers a standout performance as a tough, no-nonsense police chief, adding further layers to the series’ texture.
Brad Ingelsby’s hallmark narrative device—a shocking death that upends expectations—features prominently.
“A shocking death gives an audience the feeling that anything is possible,”
he remarked.
“We’re programmed to watch a show with expectations, and the idea that any of these characters could be killed off is exciting, because everything is on the table.”
—Brad Ingelsby, Series Creator
This willingness to defy predictability keeps viewers alert and invested, making the show’s unfolding events genuinely surprising.
Premiere Details and Final Thoughts
Task debuts on HBO on September 7, marking another collaboration between Mark Ruffalo and Brad Ingelsby following the success of Mare of Easttown. By fusing the investigation of a brutal crime ring with intense personal dramas about faith, grief, and justice, the series promises a provocative look at individuals pushed to their limits in a harsh world. The unfolding relationship between Tom and Robbie, their shared struggles, and the fragile yet powerful human connections they form will keep audiences engaged and contemplative throughout the seven-episode arc.
