Created and written by Brad Ingelsby, who brought “Mare of Easttown” to HBO, the premium network’s new series also takes place in the working-class suburbs of Ingelsby’s hometown, Philadelphia. Unlike in his previous work, however, Ingelsby moves beyond a single protagonist mourning a child and dives into the ensemble’s cat-and-mouse dynamic. While “Task” is a crime drama at its core, the heart of the show hinges on two families’ broken dynamics and how, despite existing on opposite sides of the law, the main characters aren’t so different as they learn to cope with loss in their own ways.
Starring Mark Ruffalo, Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, and Martha Plimpton, “Task” premieres Sept. 7, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET, with one new episode dropping on the network and its streaming service, HBO Max, each week. Here’s everything you need to know about the HBO limited series.
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FBI agent Tom (Ruffalo) has been tasked with ending a string of violent robberies carried out by garbage collector Robbie (Pelphrey) against the Dark Hearts, a local motorcycle gang. Yet while the two men exist on opposite sides of the law, Tom and Robbie are both grappling with serious losses, as Tom is recently widowed and Robbie adjusts to the sudden absence of his own wife. With family issues guiding their every move—and a particularly personal vendetta driving Robbie’s unsavory actions—both men want nothing more than to secure a safe, stable future for their loved ones, by any means necessary.
Avy Kaufman (“Brokeback Mountain,” “Babygirl”) is the primary casting director for Season 1 of “Task.” As the CD for other hit TV series, such as “Succession” and “Mare of Easttown,” Kaufman knows how to put together a stellar ensemble. Here, Kaufman shares her thoughts on preparation, her audition room, and casting worldwide—including what draws both CDs and actors to certain projects.
Auditions can do a number on the nerves, but with these guides to help you prepare, you will have all the tools you need to succeed in the room:
- 11 A-List Casting Directors Offer Their Best Audition Advice
- 7 Expert Tips to Nail Your Audition Sides
- How to Audition for HBO Max
“Task” might be a limited series, but that doesn’t mean your options are. Check out these gig roundups that are casting right now:
Our casting directory pages also offer information on the latest related calls as they become available:
When it comes to nitty-gritty crime dramas, you must be able to convey a range of emotions. Our guides can help you hone your talent: