Task cast talks Philadelphia roots, family drama and what makes HBO’s new series stand out

Task premiered on HBO on September 7, 2025, with a story set in the suburbs of Philadelphia, centered around family, crime and personal conflict. The series is created by Brad Ingelsby, who worked on Mare of Easttown, and revolves around the lives of two men who are grappling with grief.

Mark Ruffalo plays the role of an ex-priest turned FBI agent, Tom Brandis, and Tom Pelphrey plays the role of a garbage collector, Robbie Prendergrast, who begins to rob to support his family. It is based on the emotional lives of the characters, and the viewers can see the interplay of personal choices and bigger implications in greater detail.

Task draws heavily on Philadelphia’s local culture. From neighborhood streets to the regional dialect, Task emphasizes a strong sense of place. The series explores moral conflict through ordinary people faced with extraordinary situations, rather than relying solely on suspense or crime tropes.

To the audience, this makes the story relatable as the conflict among duty, family bonds, and personal morals is displayed. The creators and cast have talked in detail about how they tried to make these dynamics natural without disguising them or betraying the tone and atmosphere of the region.

The conflict and drama begin in the initial episode itself. Through tragedy, loyalty, and tough choices, the show shows that the behavior of its protagonists is as much influenced by emotion as by circumstance.

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The Philadelphia setting is central to the story

Task makes the suburban DelCo area of Philadelphia feel alive. Mark Ruffalo and other cast members worked with dialect coach Susanne Sulby to capture the regional accent.

As per an Entertainment Weekly report, Ruffalo said, “There's nothing like it. It's like the north meets the south, with a mid-Atlantic, it's the craziest dialect I've ever heard.”

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Family dynamics drive much of the conflict

Tom Brandis and Robbie Prendergrast face personal challenges that overlap with the main storyline. Robbie’s actions are shaped by his commitment to his children, while Tom struggles with guilt and loss.

As reported by Decider, Tom Pelphrey, discussing Robbie’s decision to take a child named Sam during the robbery gone wrong, said,

“Ultimately I think it was the best choice of a bunch of bad choices. There’s one option that would never be on the table with Robbie … And so the only option that he’s left with, that is viable, which is what he does.”

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The creator of Task emphasizes empathy and moral complexity

Robbie refuses to harm a child who's witnessed their crime, instead taking him to safety. According to the Entertainment Weekly report, Ingelsby explained,

“It adds pressure to Robbie but also speaks to his humanity... he won't hurt a kid... He still had a code. … He’ll do these things... but he won’t do this.”

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An ensemble cast adds depth to the narrative

The supporting cast of Task, including Emilia Jones as Robbie’s niece Maeve and Martha Plimpton as Bureau Chief Kathleen McGinty, expands the story beyond the two main characters. Each role contributes to understanding how the community, family ties, and professional responsibilities affect the choices the main characters make.

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