HBO has officially renewed its breakout crime drama TASK for a second season, continuing its partnership with creator Brad Ingelsby, the Emmy-nominated writer behind Mare of Easttown. The announcement came directly from Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content, during a press event in New York City. Produced in association with wiip, TASK quickly became one of HBO’s most talked-about original series of the year, with all Season 1 episodes now streaming on HBO Max.
Since its debut, TASK has surged in viewership, becoming one of HBO’s top three fastest-growing first seasons. Critics across major outlets have praised the series for its taut writing, atmospheric direction, and powerhouse performances. GQ dubbed it “the show of the year,” Entertainment Weekly highlighted its “phenomenal cast,” and The Wall Street Journal celebrated it as “one of the year's best crime thrillers.” This strong critical reception, combined with passionate audience engagement, virtually guaranteed the series’ renewal.
Francesca Orsi, EVP of HBO Programming and Head of HBO Drama Series and Films, emphasized the network’s confidence in the creative team, noting that HBO recognized the show’s potential long before audiences did. “Rarely does a writer balance humanistic storytelling with intricate, explosive plotting, but Brad Ingelsby is one of our industry’s greats,” Orsi said, adding that the network fully expects Season 2 to continue delivering gripping and emotionally resonant television.
Ingelsby, who serves as creator, showrunner, writer, and executive producer, expressed gratitude for HBO’s support from script to screen. “They are an unmatched creative home,” he said. “On behalf of the entire TASK team, in front of and behind the camera, I am honored and excited to get back to work on a second season of our show.”
TASK Season 1 unfolds in the working-class suburbs of Philadelphia, following an FBI agent (Emmy winner Mark Ruffalo) leading a task force targeting a spree of violent robberies orchestrated by a seemingly ordinary family man, played by Tom Pelphrey. The series blends intimate character drama with escalating criminal tension, grounded by a cast that includes Emilia Jones, Jamie McShane, Sam Keeley, Thuso Mbedu, Fabien Frankel, Alison Oliver, Raúl Castillo, Silvia Dionicio, Phoebe Fox, and Martha Plimpton.
Behind the camera, the series boasts an impressive roster of talent. In addition to Ingelsby’s creative leadership, TASK features direction and executive production from Jeremiah Zagar and Salli Richardson-Whitfield. Executive producers also include Paul Lee and Mark Roybal for wiip, Mark Ruffalo, David Crockett, and Ron Schmidt, with Nicole Jordan-Webber and Jeremy Yaches serving as co-executive producers for Public Record.
With its renewal, TASK joins HBO’s lineup of prestige dramas that blend emotional depth with thrilling storytelling. Fans can now look forward to Season 2, which promises to continue exploring the moral gray areas, complex characters, and high-stakes crime that made the first season a standout hit.
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