Mare of Easttown creator Brad Ingelsby has a new miniseries coming to HBO and HBO Max in September, and after the mega-success of his Kate Winslet-led crime drama in 2021, it’s safe to say that expectations are high. The forthcoming thriller, starring Mark Ruffalo as FBI agent Tom Brandis, has landed a Rotten Tomatoes verdict after the review embargo was lifted for critics today — but is it a hit or is it a miss? Judging by the score as it currently stands, Task is one worth tuning in for (or adding to your watchlist) when it premieres next month. According to the official logline for Task, the seven-episode series sees Ruffalo’s FBI agent head up a task force in a bid to put an end to a string of violent robberies in the working-class suburbs of Philadelphia. The culprit is an “unsuspecting family man” named Robbie Prendergast (Tom Pelphrey), who gets caught up in a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse with the task force while committing his Robin Hood-esque thefts. The trailers have offered a teaser of what to expect from the series, but now critics are having their say on it. The first episode of Task will debut on HBO and HBO Max on Sept. 7, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. ET with one episode dropping weekly thereafter until the finale airs on Oct. 19, 2025. The show’s Rotten Tomatoes score suggests that Mare of Easttown fans could be about to unlock their next TV obsession, as Task currently holds an 83% approval rating from critics. Only 18 reviews have been posted so far, which means the percentage is likely to fluctuate up and down over the coming days, and an audience score will also appear once the series releases.
What Are Critics Saying About ‘Task’?

Mark Ruffalo’s FBI Agent Tom leading a task force in HBO crime thriller Task
HBO

Task has been met with critical acclaim for its quality as a gritty crime drama, which continues a successful streak for HBO and its crime-focused content. It has also been lauded for its lead performances, carefully crafted story, and masterful direction. Decider’s Meghan O’Keefe wrote in her review, “Task often feels less like a show and more like a novel brought to vivid life by its beautiful direction and incendiary performances.” Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone noted some similarities with Mare of Easttown and urged viewers to keep watching:
“Like Mare, there are things to admire here, including the performances of Pelphrey, Mark Ruffalo, Emilia Jones, and others, plus a plot that grows more propulsive as the seven episodes move along. But it’s somehow even more dour.”
Other critics described Task as “a competent crime drama,” “a riveting, emotionally intricate saga,” and one person even labeled it “HBO’s next must-see” television series. However, a few shared criticisms about the series. Slant Magazine’s Steven Nguyen Scaife noted that the show’s “characters, incidents, and backstories pile up in dizzyingly rapid succession” across the seven episodes, while Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter felt that it ticked a lot of boxes, but it stumbled in some areas, which ultimately let it down. She wrote in her review:
“Task is well crafted in many regards, with a top-notch cast, painstakingly worn-in sets and handsome nature-oriented cinematography. But its unrelenting misery has a way of flattening rather than deepening the characters at its heart.”
The positives certainly outweigh the negatives, but it remains to be seen whether general viewers will feel the same way. The show’s early praise stands it in good stead to attract some attention when it premieres, so it won’t be long until the audience verdict is out.

Task

Release Date

September 7, 2025

Network

HBO

Directors

Jeremiah Zagar