Task, the latest Delco police drama from writer Brad Ingelsby, turned out to be a quiet hit for HBO. While lacking the murder-mystery heart of Ingelby’s previous effort for the premium cabler, Mare of Easttown, the creator was able to replicate its success as the show grew week over week and finished out its season in October with 4 million viewers on the night of the finale.
What’s more is that Task just notched six Emmy nominations, including a Best Drama Actor nod for Mark Ruffalo, who is set to return for Season 2. He’ll be joined by two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali, the latest addition Ingelsby’s Delco Cinematic Universe.
Comparisons to the MCU are now even more apt after the most recent casting news confirmed that a major star from Mare will be reprising their role in Task Season 2, solidifying the two series’ shared fictional Pennsylvania.
Here’s everything we know about Season 2 of Task.
The Cast
The day after Task earned its first six Emmy nominations, Variety dropped the bombshell that Julianne Nicholson would be reprising her Mare of Easttown role in the next season. Lori Ross was a best friend of Mare (Kate Winslet), who went through some serious stuff that we’ll avoid mentioning for those who haven’t seen Ingelsby’s previous series.
But for those who do know what happens to Lori, she and Tom Brandis have some common ground in their personal lives they’ll be able to discuss.
Previously, Mahershala Ali was announced as the first big casting news of the follow-up season. According to Variety, the two-time Academy Award winner will play a character named Eddie Barnes, “a seasoned and well-respected DEA agent in Philadelphia whose team comes into conflict with Tom’s unit.”
The Production
Filming will take place this summer in little place where the water is iced and the hoagies come from Wawa. We’re talking about Delaware County, Pa.
For Ingelsby, the allure of the series concept is exploring his home territory and the characters that populate it. Before the renewal, he told Esquire, “I’d love to have a chance to do another season of Task. What I love about TV is just how many characters you get to explore. I really see myself as a character writer and not a great plot writer. And so what I love about TV is that you get to explore the Grassos, the Lizzies, the Aleahs.”
The Release Date
This one’s to be determined, but based on typical TV production schedules, don’t expect new episodes until the start of 2027 at the very earliest.
This story was originally published on Nov. 20 and updated on Mar. 23 and July 9.
