HBO just dropped the first trailer for Task, and holy cow, it’s got us glued to the screen. This new crime drama, starring Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey, is giving off major Mare of Easttown vibes, and that’s no surprise since it’s from the same creator, Brad Ingelsby. Set to land in September 2025 on HBO and Max, this seven-episode series looks like a raw, emotional gut-punch with a side of high-stakes action. Let’s break down why this trailer’s got us counting down the days.
A Trailer That Grabs You
The trailer, out as of May 15, 2025, comes out swinging with a chilling setup: “There’s been a string of home invasions. At least nine houses hit.” We’re introduced to Tom Brandis (Ruffalo), a worn-out FBI agent leading a scrappy task force to stop a wave of brutal robberies. On the flip side, there’s Robbie Prendergrast (Pelphrey), a dad turned criminal mastermind who’s robbing drug dens to keep his family afloat. Set to the moody strum of Guns N’ Roses’ “Patience,” the trailer jumps between Tom’s unraveling life and Robbie’s desperate double life, building to a showdown that’s gonna hurt.
Ruffalo’s Tom is a total wreck—grieving, hitting the bottle, and wrestling with his past as an ex-priest. “I’ve prayed for answers, and all I got was silence,” he says, and you can feel the weight in his voice. Pelphrey’s Robbie, meanwhile, is breaking bad to provide for his kids, making you wonder who to root for. The trailer’s got that gritty Philly feel—think rowhouses and dive bars—mixed with quick flashes of shootouts and heartbreak. It’s intense, messy, and so Ingelsby.
A Cast That’s Stacked
Task is loaded with talent. Ruffalo and Pelphrey lead the pack, but you’ve also got Emilia Jones (CODA), Thuso Mbedu (The Underground Railroad), Fabien Frankel (House of the Dragon), Alison Oliver, Raúl Castillo, Jamie McShane, Sam Keeley, Silvia Dionicio, Phoebe Fox, and Martha Plimpton as Kathleen McGinty, a no-nonsense retiring FBI vet who drags Tom into the fight. Plimpton’s got this one scene in the trailer where she basically tells Tom to get his act together, and it’s chef’s kiss.
Brad Ingelsby, the guy behind Mare of Easttown, created and wrote Task, pulling from his uncle’s real-life story as an ex-priest who helped the FBI. Directors Jeremiah Zagar (We the Animals) and Salli Richardson-Whitfield (Winning Time) are bringing the heat, and the trailer feels like a lovechild of Heat and The Town, but with more heart. It’s got that Ingelsby magic—real people, tough choices, and a story that sticks with you.
Why We’re Hyped
If you binged Mare of Easttown and loved its mix of small-town drama and big twists, Task looks like it’s cut from the same cloth. The trailer nails the Philly vibe—grungy streets, working-class struggles—while diving into heavy stuff like faith, family, and scraping by when life’s stacked against you. Tom’s a broken cop failing his loved ones; Robbie’s a crook trying to save his. That push-and-pull is what makes it juicy, and Ruffalo and Pelphrey look like they’re bringing their A-game.
The trailer’s got this slow-burn energy, with moody music and just enough action to keep you on edge. It’s not your typical cop show—it’s about people who are one bad day from falling apart. With only seven episodes, it’s gonna be tight and punchy, perfect for a Sunday-night binge.
What’s Next for Task?
Task drops in September 2025 on HBO, with episodes hitting Max (or HBO Max, now that it’s back to the old name) weekly. If the trailer’s any hint, this could be HBO’s next big watercooler show. Want to get in the mood? Rewatch Mare of Easttown on Max for that Ingelsby fix.
