Task, HBO’s new detective drama series starring Marvel star Mark Ruffalo, is now streaming in the UK.
Helmed by Mare of Easttown creator Brad Ingelsby, the first episode is now available to watch on Sky and NOW, following the show’s premiere in the US on 7 September.
Set in Philadelphia, the story follows FBI agent Tom Brandis (Ruffalo) as he is called back to the field after taking some time off due to a family tragedy. According to the official synopsis, Brandis is tasked with leading a Task Force “to put an end to a string of violent robberies led by an unsuspecting family man.”
What to Read Next
Alongside Ruffalo, the cast includes Ozark’s Tom Pelphrey, CODA’s Emilia Jones, The Underground Railroad star Thuso Mbedu, Saltburn’s Alison Oliver, and House of the Dragon’s Fabien Frankel.
Following its release, the show has landed a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (from 40 reviews), with the critics consensus describing it as “a culturally-specific crime story that’s unrelentingly bleak but equally riveting.”
HBO
Related: Best streaming services
Screen Rant called the series “stunning”, praising Ingelsby’s “masterful authenticity” and branding it “HBO’s new masterpiece.”
“Enriched by regular moments of grace, Task still moves at an engrossing, steady pace,” wrote Indiewire. “Ingelsby preserves the thrills of a relentless investigation while foregrounding his ensemble’s relatable experiences with guilt and forgiveness.”
The praise for the show wasn’t unanimous, however, with The Hollywood Reporter writing that, despite being “well crafted” and with a “top-notch cast”, its “unrelenting misery has a way of flattening rather than deepening the characters at its heart.”
HBO
Related: Netflix viewers are already “hooked” on new “jaw-dropping” true crime series
Brad Ingelsby’s previous show, Mare of Easttown, was released back in 2021 to great critical acclaim.
Starring Kate Winslet, who won an Emmy Award for her performance, it follows an experienced detective as she investigates the murder of a teenage mother in her small Pennsylvania town.
Asked about how Task compares to its predecessor, lead star Mark Ruffalo said “it’s got a great pulse”.
“It’s moving, it’s exciting,” he told EW. “And at the same time, yes, you’re going to get your heart torn out!”
Task is streaming now on Sky and NOW in the UK, and on HBO Max in the US.
The new edition of Living Legends is here! Buy Gaga in newsagents or online, priced at just £8.99.
Mireia (she/her) has been working as a movie and TV journalist for over eight years. Based in the UK, she is a former deputy movies editor at Digital Spy, and previously worked for the Spanish magazine Fotogramas. Mireia’s work has been published in other outlets such as Esquire and Elle in Spain, and WeLoveCinema and GamesRadar+ in the UK. She is also a published author, having written the essay Biblioteca Studio Ghibli: Nicky, la aprendiz de bruja about Hayao Miyazaki’s Kiki’s Delivery Service.
During her years as a freelance journalist and film critic, Mireia has covered festivals around the world and has interviewed high-profile talents such as Kristen Stewart, Ryan Gosling, Jake Gyllenhaal and many more. She’s also taken part in juries such as the FIPRESCI jury at Venice Film Festival and the short film jury at Kingston International Film Festival in London. Â Â Â LinkedIn