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- - USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change.Why HBO's 'Mare of Easttown' follow-up 'Task' is the darkest show on TV
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAYSeptember 7, 2025 at 6:01 AM
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Mare isn't in Easttown anymore, but that doesn't mean HBO is done with crime dramas set just outside Philadelphia.
Kate Winslet's turn as a cop from a working class Philly suburb in 2021 miniseries "Mare of Easttown" became a Delaware County-accented sensation for the premium cable network, winning acclaim and Emmy nominations for the star and creator Brad Ingelsby.
Now, Ingelsby is back with a new limited crime drama boasting another movie star, Mark Ruffalo, in "Task" (Sundays, 9 ET/PT, ★★★½ out of four). The new series trades a murder-mystery whodunit for a cops-and-robbers thriller chase, all in the dour, overcast glory of a region with strong opinions about hoagies and "wooder" ice.
Mark Ruffalo as Tom, Alison Oliver as Lizzie, Thuso Mbedu as Aleah and Fabien Frankel as Anthony in "Task."
The two series are not directly related, but you can tell from the first scenes that they are crafted by the same producer. "Task" has the same gray-and-brown color palette, the same themes of generational trauma and the inherent unfairness of our society. But "Task" sketches a broader, ensemble-driven story that has sympathies for everyone stuck in systems and cycles that keep them down, from Ruffalo's embittered FBI agent to the surprisingly gentle father (Tom Pelphrey) leading a series of home invasions of drug dens. Both men are good, both men are bad and both men have made terrible mistakes.
There's not an ounce of levity or joy to be found in "Task," as dour a crime drama as its HBO predeccesor "The Wire," and just as morally complex. Ruffalo's fallen federal agent is Tom Brandis, a former priest who is reassigned from the field to man career fair booths after an astoundingly terrible family tragedy leaves him a broken man. He's called to lead a task force (hence the title) when robberies at stash houses of a dangerous biker gang draw the attention of the FBI. He's saddled with a motley crew from local law enforcement, including shaky state trooper Lizzie (Alison Oliver), domestic violence survivor Aleah (Thuso Mbedu) and pretty boy detective Anthony (Fabien Frankel, free from the chainmail of his "House of the Dragon" role).
First up: 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' (Paramount+, Sept. 4): Michael Weatherly (Tony) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) return to their star-making "NCIS" roles in this spy caper spinoff featuring Isla Gie as their daughter Tali.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Fall TV season is fast arriving on all your streaming services and networks, and there are dozens of shows premiering, that are new, old and something in between. As you get cozy in your sweaters and with your pumpkin spice lattes, some of the biggest shows of the decade will be returning for new seasons, new series will be trying to capture your attention and new spinoffs will try to convince you everything old is new again. First up: 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' (Paramount+, Sept. 4): Michael Weatherly (Tony) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) return to their star-making "NCIS" roles in this spy caper spinoff featuring Isla Gie as their daughter Tali.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/OiDk0HJ class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
Fall TV season is fast arriving on all your streaming services and networks, and there are dozens of shows premiering, that are new, old and something in between. As you get cozy in your sweaters and with your pumpkin spice lattes, some of the biggest shows of the decade will be returning for new seasons, new series will be trying to capture your attention and new spinoffs will try to convince you everything old is new again. First up: 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' (Paramount+, Sept. 4): Michael Weatherly (Tony) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) return to their star-making "NCIS" roles in this spy caper spinoff featuring Isla Gie as their daughter Tali.
">Fall TV season is fast arriving on all your streaming services and networks, and there are dozens of shows premiering, that are new, old and something in between. As you get cozy in your sweaters and with your pumpkin spice lattes, some of the biggest shows of the decade will be returning for new seasons, new series will be trying to capture your attention and new spinoffs will try to convince you everything old is new again. First up: 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' (Paramount+, Sept. 4): Michael Weatherly (Tony) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) return to their star-making "NCIS" roles in this spy caper spinoff featuring Isla Gie as their daughter Tali.
" src=https://ift.tt/OiDk0HJ class=caas-img>'The Paper' (Peacock, Sept. 4): 'The Office' cameras move from a Scranton paper company to a Toledo, Ohio, newspaper. The same style of humor, lovable characters and incredibly awkward moments await. The charming cast includes Domhnall Gleeson and returning "Office" coworker Oscar Nuñez.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'The Paper' (Peacock, Sept. 4): 'The Office' cameras move from a Scranton paper company to a Toledo, Ohio, newspaper. The same style of humor, lovable characters and incredibly awkward moments await. The charming cast includes Domhnall Gleeson and returning "Office" coworker Oscar Nuñez.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/PJyY1Lf class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'The Paper' (Peacock, Sept. 4): 'The Office' cameras move from a Scranton paper company to a Toledo, Ohio, newspaper. The same style of humor, lovable characters and incredibly awkward moments await. The charming cast includes Domhnall Gleeson and returning "Office" coworker Oscar Nuñez.
">'The Paper' (Peacock, Sept. 4): 'The Office' cameras move from a Scranton paper company to a Toledo, Ohio, newspaper. The same style of humor, lovable characters and incredibly awkward moments await. The charming cast includes Domhnall Gleeson and returning "Office" coworker Oscar Nuñez.
" src=https://ift.tt/PJyY1Lf class=caas-img>'Task' (HBO/HBO Max, September 7): From the creator of "Mare of Easttown" comes another crime drama set in suburban Philadelphia. The series is told from the points of view of Tom, Mark Ruffalo's FBI investigator, and everyman robbery ringleader Robbie (Tom Pelphry).
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Task' (HBO/HBO Max, September 7): From the creator of "Mare of Easttown" comes another crime drama set in suburban Philadelphia. The series is told from the points of view of Tom, Mark Ruffalo's FBI investigator, and everyman robbery ringleader Robbie (Tom Pelphry).
" data-src=https://ift.tt/EMovBXh class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Task' (HBO/HBO Max, September 7): From the creator of "Mare of Easttown" comes another crime drama set in suburban Philadelphia. The series is told from the points of view of Tom, Mark Ruffalo's FBI investigator, and everyman robbery ringleader Robbie (Tom Pelphry).
">'Task' (HBO/HBO Max, September 7): From the creator of "Mare of Easttown" comes another crime drama set in suburban Philadelphia. The series is told from the points of view of Tom, Mark Ruffalo's FBI investigator, and everyman robbery ringleader Robbie (Tom Pelphry).
" src=https://ift.tt/EMovBXh class=caas-img>'Only Murders in the Building' (Hulu, Sept. 9): They're back for Round 5. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are seemingly unstoppable, and their building has a seemingly infinite number of murders in this Hulu mystery comedy.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Only Murders in the Building' (Hulu, Sept. 9): They're back for Round 5. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are seemingly unstoppable, and their building has a seemingly infinite number of murders in this Hulu mystery comedy.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/dvsI0CN class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Only Murders in the Building' (Hulu, Sept. 9): They're back for Round 5. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are seemingly unstoppable, and their building has a seemingly infinite number of murders in this Hulu mystery comedy.
">'Only Murders in the Building' (Hulu, Sept. 9): They're back for Round 5. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are seemingly unstoppable, and their building has a seemingly infinite number of murders in this Hulu mystery comedy.
" src=https://ift.tt/dvsI0CN class=caas-img>'The Gold' (PBS, Oct. 5): The series is a gripping heist drama set in 1983 about a group of British thieves who attempt to make a small score but wind up with £26 million of gold bullion. The cops chasing the robbers include Charlotte Spencer as Nicki Jennings, Emun Elliott as Tony Brightwell and Hugh Bonneville as Brian Boyce.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'The Gold' (PBS, Oct. 5): The series is a gripping heist drama set in 1983 about a group of British thieves who attempt to make a small score but wind up with £26 million of gold bullion. The cops chasing the robbers include Charlotte Spencer as Nicki Jennings, Emun Elliott as Tony Brightwell and Hugh Bonneville as Brian Boyce.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/IWGvdDZ class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'The Gold' (PBS, Oct. 5): The series is a gripping heist drama set in 1983 about a group of British thieves who attempt to make a small score but wind up with £26 million of gold bullion. The cops chasing the robbers include Charlotte Spencer as Nicki Jennings, Emun Elliott as Tony Brightwell and Hugh Bonneville as Brian Boyce.
">'The Gold' (PBS, Oct. 5): The series is a gripping heist drama set in 1983 about a group of British thieves who attempt to make a small score but wind up with £26 million of gold bullion. The cops chasing the robbers include Charlotte Spencer as Nicki Jennings, Emun Elliott as Tony Brightwell and Hugh Bonneville as Brian Boyce.
" src=https://ift.tt/IWGvdDZ class=caas-img>'Boots' (Netflix, Oct. 9): Liam Oh and Miles Heizer play two young men at the U.S. Marine Corp Boot Camp in this comedy set in 1990.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Boots' (Netflix, Oct. 9): Liam Oh and Miles Heizer play two young men at the U.S. Marine Corp Boot Camp in this comedy set in 1990.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/gYrM6Zi class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Boots' (Netflix, Oct. 9): Liam Oh and Miles Heizer play two young men at the U.S. Marine Corp Boot Camp in this comedy set in 1990.
">'Boots' (Netflix, Oct. 9): Liam Oh and Miles Heizer play two young men at the U.S. Marine Corp Boot Camp in this comedy set in 1990.
" src=https://ift.tt/gYrM6Zi class=caas-img>'The Diplomat' (Netflix, Oct. 16): In Season 3, Allison Janney's Grace Penn becomes the president and clashes with Keri Russell's Kate Wyler.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'The Diplomat' (Netflix, Oct. 16): In Season 3, Allison Janney's Grace Penn becomes the president and clashes with Keri Russell's Kate Wyler.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/XNMAS52 class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'The Diplomat' (Netflix, Oct. 16): In Season 3, Allison Janney's Grace Penn becomes the president and clashes with Keri Russell's Kate Wyler.
">'The Diplomat' (Netflix, Oct. 16): In Season 3, Allison Janney's Grace Penn becomes the president and clashes with Keri Russell's Kate Wyler.
" src=https://ift.tt/XNMAS52 class=caas-img>'Nobody Wants This' (Netflix, Oct. 23): Everybody wants a new season of Netflix's electric romantic comedy starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell as a bumbling couple trying to make an interfaith relationship work.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Nobody Wants This' (Netflix, Oct. 23): Everybody wants a new season of Netflix's electric romantic comedy starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell as a bumbling couple trying to make an interfaith relationship work.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/kTCX629 class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Nobody Wants This' (Netflix, Oct. 23): Everybody wants a new season of Netflix's electric romantic comedy starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell as a bumbling couple trying to make an interfaith relationship work.
">'Nobody Wants This' (Netflix, Oct. 23): Everybody wants a new season of Netflix's electric romantic comedy starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell as a bumbling couple trying to make an interfaith relationship work.
" src=https://ift.tt/kTCX629 class=caas-img>'Stranger Things' (Netflix, Nov. 26, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31): David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown lead the returning cast in the fifth and final season of this Netflix juggernaut.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Stranger Things' (Netflix, Nov. 26, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31): David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown lead the returning cast in the fifth and final season of this Netflix juggernaut.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/zluj516 class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Stranger Things' (Netflix, Nov. 26, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31): David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown lead the returning cast in the fifth and final season of this Netflix juggernaut.
">'Stranger Things' (Netflix, Nov. 26, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31): David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown lead the returning cast in the fifth and final season of this Netflix juggernaut.
" src=https://ift.tt/zluj516 class=caas-img>'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'
Disney+, Dec. 10: Young stars Leah Sava' Jefffries and Walker Scobell will tackle a "Sea of Monsters" in book adaptation "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'
Disney+, Dec. 10: Young stars Leah Sava' Jefffries and Walker Scobell will tackle a "Sea of Monsters" in book adaptation "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/de6Ijv4 class=caas-img data-headline="These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall" data-caption="
'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'
Disney+, Dec. 10: Young stars Leah Sava' Jefffries and Walker Scobell will tackle a "Sea of Monsters" in book adaptation "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2.
">'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'
Disney+, Dec. 10: Young stars Leah Sava' Jefffries and Walker Scobell will tackle a "Sea of Monsters" in book adaptation "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2.
" src=https://ift.tt/de6Ijv4 class=caas-img>
1 / 10These are the 10 TV shows you should watch this fall
Fall TV season is fast arriving on all your streaming services and networks, and there are dozens of shows premiering, that are new, old and something in between. As you get cozy in your sweaters and with your pumpkin spice lattes, some of the biggest shows of the decade will be returning for new seasons, new series will be trying to capture your attention and new spinoffs will try to convince you everything old is new again. First up: 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' (Paramount+, Sept. 4): Michael Weatherly (Tony) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva) return to their star-making "NCIS" roles in this spy caper spinoff featuring Isla Gie as their daughter Tali.
It's an untrained, poorly oiled machine that winds up at the center of a major investigation when one of the robberies goes very wrong, leaving dead bodies (and worse) in its wake. It's bad news for Robbie (Pelphrey), a local garbage man and generally well-liked guy who's just looking for some more money for his kids, and maybe to heal some of his old wounds. His rage-filled niece Maeve (Emilia Jones, "CODA") is floundering to raise those kids for him, prevented from living her own life until he figures out his own.
Tom Pelphrey as Robbie and Raúl Castillo as Cliff in "Task."
The cast expands from there, including Robbie's crew, the dangerous biker gang he's ripping off and Tom's damaged family. It's all frowns and big glasses of liquor wherever the camera turns.
Deep thoughts and deeper DelCo accents are the kind of elements we expect from an Ingelsby series, and he delivers on both (as a proud Philly resident, I'd like to congratulate Jones on the most accurate accent of the bunch, although Pelphrey is a strong runner-up). The performances shine through it all, especially Pelphrey's. He's a supporting actor in a host of other series you might have seen, but clearly destined to be a bigger star after this performance. With his grizzled beard and kind eyes, he makes an ideal foil for Ruffalo's oafish and blunt task-force leader.
Emilia Jones as Maeve in "Task."
While some relentelessly grim series can be too depressing to enjoy, "Task" keeps its story fast-paced, and its characters complicated and redeeming enough to avoid that pitfall. The series derives its tension from every step Tom makes towards discovering Robbie, and every inch Robbie gains in his race towards what he thinks is freedom – from jail, from poverty, from his own trauma; it's all wrapped up in his desperation. And, oh-so-coincidentally, Tom may just be looking for that same kind of freedom.
You can't look away while waiting to see if either of them will find it.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mark Ruffalo's 'Task' is the darkest show on TV, but worth watching
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