Brad Ingelsby’s storytelling defies simple categorization. His Emmy-winning series Mare of Easttown was more than a mere murder mystery; it wove a rich tapestry of small-town sorrow and resilience. With TASK, his latest HBO original now streaming weekly on OSN+ in the UAE, Ingelsby returns to his Pennsylvania roots with another narrative that sizzles with suspense and resonates with humanity.
At first glance, the plot seems familiar: FBI agent Tom Brandis (Mark Ruffalo) is on the trail of a band of thieves led by Robbie Prendergrast (Tom Pelphrey), a garbage collector turned criminal. Yet, Ingelsby isn’t focused on the dichotomy of heroes and villains. He’s intrigued by human beings — flawed, desperate, occasionally reckless — striving to keep their families intact.
“It’s a cat and mouse game, but it’s also a drama about lives under pressure, about people with no options,” Ingelsby shared during a virtual press event. “I hope audiences might not agree with every on-screen decision but can understand the reasons behind them.”
Tom Pelphrey, Mark Ruffalo and Brad Ingelsby
The recurring theme in discussions about TASK is empathy. Ruffalo’s Tom is a former priest whose faith crumbles after personal loss, while Pelphrey’s Robbie turns to crime driven by grief and familial love. Ingelsby notes both men share the same core values, despite being on opposite sides of the law.
The human truth beneath the thriller
Director Jeremiah Zagar, who helmed the pilot, episodes 2, 5, and the finale, found the challenge was not in balancing genres but in remaining true to the script’s dual essence. “The crime needed to feel raw and real. The family drama needed to feel intimate and genuine,” he told City Times in a virtual roundtable. “As long as everyone honored the script’s truth, from actors to the DP, we felt confident. And I believe we succeeded.”
Tom Pelphrey and Jeremiah Zagar
Authenticity extended to the performances. Emilia Jones, portraying Maeve, Robbie’s niece, immersed herself in Delaware County’s unique vibe. “It’s more than an accent; it’s an energy,” she noted, describing her preparation which involved mingling in local bars. “I kept rewatching Mare of Easttown because it was the only accent I could trust. I still get Delco feedback,” she laughed.
Emilia Jones in a still from ‘TASK’
Silvia Jones in a still from ‘TASK’
Sylvia Dionicio, playing Emily, Tom’s adopted daughter, delivers one of the series’ most poignant lines, questioning if she must only feel gratitude. This, she explained, touches on a deep-seated truth many adopted children face. “Adopted kids often feel they must always be grateful or strive for perfection,” she shared with City Times. “It’s complex and layered, and Brad didn’t shy away from that.”
To help the cast delve into these complexities, a therapist was present on set, aiding Dionicio in navigating Emily’s internal struggles. Her scenes with Ruffalo often embraced unpredictability. “Mark loves improv and props. He’ll just pick something up, and you have to go with it. It was a wonderful challenge,” she said.
Finding the personal
For Pelphrey and Jones, working on TASK wasn’t about inventing backstories but embracing Ingelsby’s writing. “Often, you’re left to concoct your own narrative in the dark,” Pelphrey said. “But Brad provides it, sharing it with the audience through the story dynamics. It adds complexity.”
Tom Pelphrey in a still from ‘TASK’
Jones concurred. “I’d leave scenes surprised by the depth of emotion or anger I reached. It’s the best feeling,” she said. She added that improvisation was minimal, except for the unpredictability with child actors. “Things were always changing, and Tom and I would occasionally adjust things on the fly. But there was no need because Brad’s writing is so powerful.”
Finding emotional honesty
Surprise and unpredictability are embedded in TASK‘s DNA. Ingelsby describes it as a “collision course” between two men with disturbingly similar values. Both Tom and Robbie aim to protect their families, both are haunted by grief, and both wrestle with faith and morality. Their tragedy is their incompatible goals.
We wondered if TASK challenged viewers to empathize even with flawed characters rather than focus on good versus evil?
“As a writer, you’re always trying to modulate,” Ingelsby said. “We strive to portray characters without labeling them as good or bad, leading with compassion and empathy for all.”
Ruffalo noted, “There’s no excuse for breaking the law, but Tom sees Robbie beyond a common criminal. They become emotionally connected in unexpected ways.”
Ingelsby delves into complex characters because he believes “people are truly complex” and aims to explore beneath the surface. “I strive for honesty and authenticity,” he said. “That’s always our goal.”
This is the paradox at TASK’s core. It’s a thriller with biker gangs, violent heists, and FBI task forces, yet it’s also about daughters questioning their right to feel beyond gratitude, nieces sacrificing for broken families, and a grieving priest doubting his faith.
These elements elevate a cat-and-mouse thriller into a profound story about the lengths we go for family and the perilous line between right and wrong when grief drives us to the brink.
