{"id":274955,"date":"2025-11-21T06:52:17","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T06:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/274955\/"},"modified":"2025-11-21T06:52:17","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T06:52:17","slug":"mark-ruffalos-near-perfect-crime-drama-packed-with-twists-and-surprises-to-return-for-season-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/274955\/","title":{"rendered":"Mark Ruffalo&#8217;s near-perfect crime drama packed with &#8220;twists and surprises&#8221; to return for season 2"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"1\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Mark Ruffalo&#8217;s acclaimed crime drama Task has been renewed for a second season at HBO. Premiered earlier in the year, the seven-episode first season <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a66025506\/task-hbo-streaming-now\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a66025506\/task-hbo-streaming-now\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"has become a hit\" data-node-id=\"1.3\" class=\"body-link css-1lh7k7j emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">has become a hit<\/a>, making the decision to greenlit another instalment as an easy one for the network.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"4\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The Marvel actor stars as protagonist Tom Brandis, a former priest-turned-FBI agent investigating a string of stash houses robberies in a difficult suburb. Behind the crimes is Robbie Prendergrast (Tom Pelphrey), a man who&#8217;s part of a motorcycle gang.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"6\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The cast for the series is rounded out by The Running Man star Emilia Jones as Rob&#8217;s niece Maeve, and Martha Plimpton as Tom&#8217;s boss, Kathleen McGinty. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"10\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Also starring are House of the Dragon&#8217;s Fabien Frankel, The Underground Railroad&#8217;s Thuso Mbedu, and Saltburn&#8217;s Alison Oliver as the young detectives part of Tom&#8217;s task force: Anthony Grasso, Aleah Clinton, and Lizzie Stover, respectively.<br data-node-id=\"10.7\"\/><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"12\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The series is created by Brad Ingelsby, who previously developed the Kate Winslet-led drama Mare of Easttown for HBO.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"martha plimpton, mark ruffalo, task\" title=\"Martha Plimpton, Mark Ruffalo, Task\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"3500\" height=\"2333\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/martha-plimpton-mark-ruffalo-task-688ca472652e1.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>HBO<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"15\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Best streaming services\" data-node-id=\"15.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1lh7k7j emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Best streaming services<\/a> <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"17\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Addressing the renewal, the executive vice president of HBO Programming and head of HBO drama series and films Francesca Orsi acknowledged the audience&#8217;s enthusiastic response to the show.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"19\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;We knew well in advance of its launch that we had a powerful drama series on our hands, but it has been so rewarding to witness the audience&#8217;s fervour and embrace of this show as it grew week after week,&#8221; Orsi said (via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollywoodreporter.com\/tv\/tv-news\/task-mark-ruffalo-renewed-season-2-hbo-1236432106\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.hollywoodreporter.com\/tv\/tv-news\/task-mark-ruffalo-renewed-season-2-hbo-1236432106\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"The Hollywood Reporter\" data-node-id=\"19.1.0\" class=\"body-link css-1lh7k7j emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Hollywood Reporter<\/a>). <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"21\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;Rarely does a writer balance humanistic storytelling with intricate, explosive plotting but Brad Ingelsby is one of our industry&#8217;s greats, and we have no doubt he will strike as profoundly and addictively once again in season two.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"23\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">As for Ingelsby, who also served as main writer for the show, he thanked HBO for supporting his project.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"mark ruffalo, alison oliver, task\" title=\"Mark Ruffalo, Alison Oliver, Task\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"3500\" height=\"2333\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mark-ruffalo-alison-oliver-task-688ca477ab9a6.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>HBO<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"26\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a69379506\/wild-cherry-bbc-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a69379506\/wild-cherry-bbc-review\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Gripping BBC thriller Wild Cherry is a scandalous social-media whodunnit\" data-node-id=\"26.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1lh7k7j emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Gripping BBC thriller Wild Cherry is a scandalous social-media whodunnit<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"28\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;We&#8217;ve been incredibly fortunate to have HBO&#8217;s unwavering support of Task from the very first script onwards, throughout production, and during their extraordinary launch of our first season to audiences,&#8221; the showrunner said. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"30\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;They are an unmatched creative home. 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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"32\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Task has proved a success with critics and viewers alike, as it sits on a near-perfect score of 96% on review aggregator <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rottentomatoes.com\/tv\/task\/s01\/reviews\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.rottentomatoes.com\/tv\/task\/s01\/reviews\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Rotten Tomatoes\" data-node-id=\"32.2\" class=\"body-link css-1lh7k7j emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Rotten Tomatoes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"34\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Critics have praised the &#8220;Emmy-worthy&#8221; performances and the &#8220;twists and surprises&#8221; of the series (via <a href=\"http:\/\/macthemovieguy.com\/2025\/11\/02\/task-series-review\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"http:\/\/macthemovieguy.com\/2025\/11\/02\/task-series-review\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Mac the Movie Guy\" data-node-id=\"34.1.0\" class=\"body-link css-1lh7k7j emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Mac the Movie Guy<\/a>) as well as celebrating the &#8220;compelling characters&#8221; and &#8220;patient writing&#8221; that have helped Task to &#8220;stand out from the crowd&#8221; (via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.empireonline.com\/tv\/reviews\/task\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.empireonline.com\/tv\/reviews\/task\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Empire\" data-node-id=\"34.5.0\" class=\"body-link css-1lh7k7j emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Empire<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"36\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Task season 1 streams on HBO in the US. In the UK, it is available on NOW.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"39\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The new edition of Living Legends is here! <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/special-editions-subscriptions-lvgwitchesariana\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/special-editions-subscriptions-lvgwitchesariana\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Buy Ariana &amp; Witches in newsagents or online\" data-node-id=\"39.0.3\" class=\"body-link css-1lh7k7j emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Buy Ariana &amp; Witches in newsagents or online<\/a>, priced at just \u00a38.99.<br data-node-id=\"39.1\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763707937_329_a5577bef-f874-41e6-b03b-0f8d9f1e5f46_1686136547.file\" alt=\"Headshot of Stefania Sarrubba\" title=\"Headshot of Stefania Sarrubba\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"css-o0wq4v ev8dhu53\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Reporter, Digital Spy<\/p>\n<p>Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/author\/stefaniasarrubba\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Radio Times<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Digital Spy<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Mark Ruffalo&#8217;s acclaimed crime drama Task has been renewed for a second season at HBO. Premiered earlier in&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":274956,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[379,112726,381,96,1156,112725,391,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-274955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-content-type-news","tag-contentid-d1621c7b-148c-48a5-8bda-415e1509eae1","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-entertainment","tag-locale-gb","tag-shorttitle-mark-ruffalos-near-perfect-drama-gets-season-2","tag-tv","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274955","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=274955"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274955\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/274956"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=274955"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=274955"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=274955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}