Mark Ruffalo stars as FBI agent in hit Task series on HBO Max. [Image Source: CLOUDFRONT]
Mark Ruffalo’s crime drama Task, which debuted in September 2025, continues to rise in popularity on HBO Max as anticipation builds for its second season. The series stars Ruffalo as Tom Brandis, an FBI agent and former Catholic priest leading a task force investigating a wave of armed robberies.
As of February 1, 2026, Task ranks as the fifth most-watched series on HBO Max, trailing only behind The Last of Us, according to FlixPatrol. The show, featuring a talented ensemble cast including Martha Plimpton, Emilia Jones, Tom Pelphrey, and Fabien Frankel, has captured the attention of viewers and critics alike with its mix of gripping storytelling and compelling performances.
Critical Acclaim and Award Nominations Highlight the Series’ Success
Task has earned widespread praise, securing a 96% critic rating and a 76% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The series’ quality has been recognized with a Best Drama Series nomination at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards. In addition, Mark Ruffalo has been nominated for Best Actor across several prestigious platforms, including the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Satellite Awards.
HBO announced the renewal of Task for a second season in November 2025. Francesca Orsi, an executive at HBO, expressed her enthusiasm about the show’s success, stating,
Image of: Mark Ruffalo
“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’s fervor and embrace of this show as it grew week after week,”
Francesca Orsi, HBO.
Orsi also praised the series’ writer and creator, Brad Ingelsby:
“Rarely does a writer balance humanistic storytelling with intricate, explosive plotting but Brad Ingelsby is one of our industry’s greats, and we have no doubt he will strike as profoundly and addictively once again in Season 2.”
Francesca Orsi, HBO.
Mark Ruffalo to Lead Season 2 with New Storylines in Development
Mark Ruffalo will return as Tom Brandis for the upcoming season, with series creator Brad Ingelsby already planning future developments for the character. Inglesby shared his appreciation for working with Ruffalo, saying,
“We had such a good time,”
and added,
“Mark is the best to have on set and I love working with this guy. I would work with him as much as I … and I think we have … you know, there’s a lot of stories.”
Brad Ingelsby, series creator.
Season 1 of Task included eight episodes that blended intense action with emotional depth. While HBO has not yet confirmed the release date for Season 2, the momentum around the show suggests that it will continue to attract and engage audiences as it delves deeper into the mysteries confronting Brandis and his team.
A Talented Ensemble Supports Ruffalo’s Lead Role
Alongside Mark Ruffalo’s portrayal of Tom Brandis, the cast includes Tom Pelphrey as Robbie, Emilia Jones as Maeve, Martha Plimpton, Jamie McShane as Perry, and Fabien Frankel, each bringing strong performances that enrich the series’ complex narrative. Their contributions have helped Task maintain its reputation as a finely crafted and emotionally driven crime drama.
With its combination of intense plotlines, strong character development, and critical acclaim, Task continues to be a standout series on HBO Max. Fans eagerly await the next chapter of Tom Brandis’s story, making the Mark Ruffalo Task series a significant part of the platform’s lineup moving forward.
