HBO’s new seven-episode crime drama is among their strongest shows since True Detective, and it has the potential to run for many seasons – perhaps around six, which feels like a long time for an HBO series. The network consistently delivers high-quality television, and audiences are always eager for their next gripping crime story.
Shows like Perry Mason, Mare of Easttown, Sharp Objects, The Outsider, The Undoing, and We Own This City demonstrate why HBO consistently delivers higher quality content than other streaming services. A show like True Detective would be a standout title for almost any streamer, but on HBO, it’s just part of their incredibly strong lineup.
A new HBO show is drawing comparisons to True Detective. Called Task, it’s the second crime drama from Brad Ingelsby—his first was the popular Mare of Easttown in 2021. Similar to Mare, Task is set near Philadelphia and heavily features the locations, culture, and local accents of Ingelsby’s own background.
The movie Task features Mark Ruffalo as Tom Brandis, an FBI agent facing personal hardship after a family tragedy. He’s then assigned to head up an investigation into several armed robberies and the kidnapping of a young boy. Task was very well-received, earning a Golden Globe nomination and is expected to be nominated for Emmys as well.
Despite initially being released as a limited series, Task has been renewed for a second season. Details are still scarce, but early hints suggest it has the potential to become a major hit for HBO.
Task Could Become A Connected Anthology-Style Series Similar To True Detective
So far, Mark Ruffalo is the only original cast member confirmed to return for season 2 of Task, making it difficult to predict what the new season will be about. The first season had a clear conclusion, so it would be unexpected if the showrunner decided to pick up that same storyline.
The show Task might follow a format similar to True Detective, featuring a completely new crime and storyline each season. However, Mark Ruffalo’s continued involvement hints that the creators could be planning a longer, connected story that develops over multiple seasons.
Mahershala Ali will join the show starting with its second season, playing Eddie Barnes – a seasoned DEA agent from Philadelphia. Barnes will work on a new task force led by Tom, but their differing approaches are likely to cause conflict. Ali is known for his role in True Detective season 3, leading many to wonder if this will be his second successful HBO limited series.
Task Has Already Laid The Groundwork For A Long Run
The show Task appears to be building towards a lengthy run on television. In July 2026, it was revealed that Julianne Nicholson would return as Lori Ross in season 2 of Task, establishing a shared universe between the two shows.
The connection between Task and Mare of Easttown suggests the show is being set up for a potentially long run, spanning multiple seasons. If the creator, Ingelsby, had planned to end Task after just two seasons, he likely wouldn’t have bothered connecting the two shows. The appearance of the same actor, Nicholson, in both series hints that he wants to further develop the world he’s built, which would likely involve more seasons.
2026-07-26 17:51