Task Star Tom Pelphrey & the Cast of HBO Max’s New Drama Talk Grief and Storytelling

by

HBO Max has a reputation for presenting high-caliber shows featuring stellar ensembles, and its newest addition, the crime drama titled Task (set in Philadelphia), certainly doesn’t disappoint in that regard.

In the hands of writer and producer Brad Ingelsby, hailing from HBO’s gritty crime drama Mare of Easttown, comes another compelling Philadelphia-based series titled Task. The narrative revolves around Tom (played by Mark Ruffalo), a recently widowed FBI agent, who finds himself leading a task force to tackle a series of brutal drug house robberies. However, an unexpected twist unfolds as the culprit is revealed to be Robbie (Tom Pelphrey), a seemingly ordinary family man with no prior history of such crimes. Task serves as a poignant reminder that life’s hardships can propel individuals into unforeseen realms.

According to Owen Teague, who portrays Peaches, the series tackles a great deal of grief and working through grief. He expresses his hope that viewers may find solace in witnessing characters grapple with matters that keep them awake at night.

At the New York City premiere on the red carpet, TopMob had the opportunity to chat with Teagues, along with actors Tom Pelphrey, Margarita Levieva (Eryn), Mickey Sumner (Shelley Driscoll), Raúl Castillo (Cliff), Stephanie Kurtzuba (Donna), composer Dan Deacon, and EP/Director Jeremiah Zagar.

The second season of the popular HBO Max show, Peacemaker from DC Universe, has recently made a comeback, featuring the return of Nhut Le as Judomaster.

Task Cast Talks Grief and Approaching Their Roles

“We All Want To Be Affected By It.”

  • TopMob: “What do you hope people take away from watching a show like Task?”

Owen Teague expresses his hope that viewers might find solace as they watch characters in the series grapple with issues that often keep them awake at night, given the significant role grief plays within the show and its handling.

Margarita Levieva: I’m genuinely thrilled for viewers to follow the story from start to finish. I understand that people’s focus can be fleeting these days, often watching just an episode and moving on. However, I truly hope that they find the narrative engaging enough to keep watching because I believe this story has a remarkably significant and impactful arc.

Stephanie Kurtzuba expresses that what truly touched her while reading the piece was its portrayal of humanity, regardless of whether the characters appear familiar or foreign to us due to their appearance, environment, or social standing.

In essence, these thoughts are slightly questioned but what truly matters is seeing the human aspect in others, regardless of their physical features, language, or life decisions. There is always inherent worth and significance in everyone.

Mickey Sumner: We may all have our flaws, but everyone is worthy of love. Well, almost everyone (chuckles).

Jeremiah Zagar: In my opinion, the beauty of storytelling lies in our ability to connect with others’ sorrow and hardship, and we’re not alone in feeling this way. I find tales about sorrow and pain particularly captivating as they remind me that life is more complex than a polished Instagram snapshot. These stories reveal something profound, deep, and strong about the world, and I believe that’s the transcendent aspect of film and HBO’s unique charm, as they continue to share such narratives while many others do not.

  • TopMob: “Was there anything difficult about getting into the headspace of these characters?”

Tom Pelphrey: Everything played a crucial role. This team was exceptional in every aspect, making it a delightfully challenging experience. You know, it never feels like labor, quite the contrary. But achieving perfection is significant, so it’s both demanding and enjoyable. Oh, I should mention that perfecting that accent required considerable effort.

  • TopMob: “What was it like getting to know [Tom Pelphrey] and getting to work with him and kind of feeling comfortable enough to have those kinds of moments together?”

Raúl Castillo: Our journey was unique since Tom and I bonded instantly during our sanitation worker training in rural Pennsylvania, prepping for our parts. Our remarkable director, Jeremiah Zagar, who is also my dear friend and a collaborator of mine, emphasizes the importance of rehearsal time. This isn’t just about memorizing lines, but spending quality time together, dining, and enjoying each other’s company. Exploring Philadelphia and sharing experiences were all part of our preparations.

From the very beginning, Tom seemed like an old friend to me, and our connection was as natural and effortless as if we had known each other for years. It was genuine and couldn’t have been faked even if we had tried. Fortunately, I didn’t need to feign any sort of friendship with him. Now, he is one of my cherished friends who has made work a delightful experience.

  • TopMob: “What were your influences for the score?”

In simpler terms, Dan Deacon mentioned that he, along with his friends, often discussed American minimalist composers such as Steve Reich, Terry Riley, and Meredith Monk. This served as their initial starting point, sparking curiosity among them, as they wondered aloud, “What if we tried something like this?

All conversations with the stars of Task can be seen below:

Enthusiasts of Mark Ruffalo might want to stay tuned for the upcoming movie titled “Spider-Man: Brand New Day“, as there are whispers that it could mark the long-awaited encounter between his Marvel Cinematic Universe character, The Hulk, and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man.

Read More

2025-09-08 07:37