HBO renews ‘Task’ for Season 2: Everything to know

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.

But an even bigger difference from Mare is that Task wasn’t created as a one-off. Ingelsby was upfront about wanting more seasons and submitted awards contenders — specifically Mark Ruffalo and Season 1’s breakout, Tom Pelphrey — into Drama categories, rather than Limited Series.

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And now HBO has given the greenlight for more adventures in the outskirts of Philly, so here’s everything we know about Season 2 of Task.

Is Mark Ruffalo returning?

Yes. The star of Season 1, who played priest-turned-special agent Tom Brandis, will be returning for a second season, but that was the extent of what HBO could say about the cast at the time of the renewal. There are a few other potentials for returning characters, but we’ll spare naming them just in case you haven’t watched all of Season 1 yet.

Where will Season 2 take place?

A 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.”