Task (Miniseries) Reviews: Worth Watching, Season 2, Mare Link

HBO’s latest limited series Task has landed, splitting opinions like few shows this year with Mark Ruffalo and Julianne Nicholson in a moral thriller about faith and crime. Here’s what you need to know before you press play.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96% (Tomatometer) ·
Episode Count: 7 ·
Network: HBO ·
Genre: Moral Thriller ·
Starring: Mark Ruffalo ·
Status: Renewed for Season 2

Here are the essential details about the series.

Is Task worth watching?

The critical divide: a masterpiece or a manipulation?

• The Guardian’s review calls the series “relentlessly bleak, humourless and narratively airless” (The Guardian (UK newspaper)).
• RogerEbert.com counters that it’s “easily one of the very good mini series” with “thrills, emotional depth, sentiments”.
• On Reddit, the audience consensus is that the show is “soooooo good” with “acting fantastic, plot fantastic” (Reddit community (audience reaction)).

What this means: Task is a polarizing watch. Critics are split, but the audience leans strongly positive. The trade-off is that the show’s bleak tone rewards patience but punishes those seeking lighter fare.

Why Task is a must-watch this year

• The series marks a bold return to character-driven crime drama for HBO, following the success of Mare of Easttown.
• Mark Ruffalo and Julianne Nicholson deliver career-best performances, according to multiple reviews.
• The 96% Tomatometer score (from 73 critics) places it among the top-rated HBO miniseries of the decade (Rotten Tomatoes (critics aggregator)).

The pattern: high critical praise for the craft, but the tone divides audiences. For viewers who value atmosphere over action, Task is a standout.

Pros and cons of watching Task

The catch: Task asks for commitment. The payoff is a thought-provoking story, but the emotional weight is heavy.

How many episodes does Task miniseries have?

Complete episode guide for Task season 1

• Episode 1 – “Crossings” (September 7, 2025) – Rotten Tomatoes episode guide
• Episode 2 – “Family Statements” (September 14, 2025) – same source
• Episode 3 – “Nobody’s Stronger Than Forgive…” (September 21, 2025) – same source
• Episode 4 – “All Roads” (September 28, 2025) – same source
• Episode 5 – “Vagrants” (October 5, 2025) – same source
• Episode 6 – “Out Beyond Ideas of Wrongdoing…” (October 12, 2025) – same source
• Episode 7 – Finale (October 19, 2025) – Loud and Clear Reviews (TV review site)

Variety confirms the seven-episode structure and weekly release schedule on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max (Variety (entertainment trade)).

Cast of the Task miniseries

• Mark Ruffalo as Tom, an ex-priest FBI agent
• Julianne Nicholson as Maeve Sheehan, a trash collector who moonlights as a thief
• Supporting cast includes actors from the Mare of Easttown universe

The Atlantic describes Tom as “an ex-priest FBI agent” and Robbie (Nicholson’s character) as “a trash collector who moonlights as a thief targeting drug houses” (The Atlantic (cultural magazine)).

The implication: the episode count reflects the narrative’s tight focus.

Is Task a sequel to Mare of Easttown?

The universe connection: Julianne Nicholson’s crossover

• Task is not a direct sequel to Mare of Easttown but exists in the same HBO universe.
• Julianne Nicholson, who played a role in Mare of Easttown (as Maeve Sheehan), crosses over into Task.
• The series tells its own story while sharing thematic and character DNA with the earlier hit.

ScreenRant reported that Task surpassed Mare of Easttown on Rotten Tomatoes, becoming Brad Ingelsby’s highest-rated show with a 96% score versus Mare’s 95% (ScreenRant (entertainment news)).

Standalone story in a shared world

• You can watch Task without having seen Mare of Easttown.
• The crossover is a bonus for fans, not a requirement.
• Both shows are set in the Philadelphia area, reinforcing the shared universe.

The implication: Task is designed to stand on its own. The connection to Mare of Easttown adds depth but doesn’t gate the experience.

Will there be a season 2 of Task?

Season 2 confirmation and all-women directing team

• HBO officially confirmed a season 2 of Task ahead of the season 1 premiere (TV Insider (TV news source)).
• The renewal came with an all-women directing team, a notable move for the network.
• This early renewal signals strong confidence from HBO in the series’ performance.

Will Mark Ruffalo return for season 2?

• Mark Ruffalo is expected to star in season 2.
• Details on his character arc are under wraps, but the expectation is that the story continues from the season 1 finale.

What this means: Task is not a one-and-done limited series. The early renewal and all-women directing team suggest HBO is investing in a long-term franchise.

What is the point of watching Task series?

Themes of morality and justice

• The official IMDb synopsis describes Task as “a moral thriller about faith, family, and blurred lines between justice and crime” (IMDb (film database)).
• It explores deep questions: Can a criminal be a good person? Where does faith intersect with law enforcement?
• The series provides a platform for high-caliber performances and a compelling narrative.

Why the series matters

• Task has sparked significant discussion and critical debate, making it a relevant addition to the HBO drama lineup.
• It continues HBO’s tradition of high-quality limited series, following Mare of Easttown and The Night Of.
• For fans of moral ambiguity and character-driven storytelling, the series offers a rich, layered experience.

The trade-off: Task demands engagement. It’s not background TV. But for those willing to invest, it rewards with a story that lingers.

Comparison: Task vs. Mare of Easttown

6 key attributes, one pattern: Task is darker and more morally ambiguous, while Mare of Easttown leans into procedural mystery.

The pattern: Task scores slightly higher with critics but has a lower audience score (60% vs. Mare’s 85%). The darker tone likely explains the gap.

Timeline: Task from announcement to renewal

• Mid-2025 – HBO renews Task for season 2 with an all-women directing team (TV Insider).
• September 7, 2025 – Task premieres on HBO, instantly generating a strong critical divide (Rotten Tomatoes).
• October 19, 2025 – Season 1 finale airs (Loud and Clear Reviews).

The implication: the rapid renewal before the premiere shows HBO’s confidence, and the critical firestorm only amplified interest.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

The balance: the show’s core facts are solid, but the deeper story implications remain open for future seasons.

What critics and audiences say

“Relentlessly bleak, humourless and narratively airless.”

— The Guardian (UK newspaper) Source

“Easily one of the very good mini series… checks all the key boxes – thrills, emotional depth, sentiments.”

— RogerEbert.com (film criticism site) Source

“Soooooo good… acting fantastic, plot fantastic.”

— Reddit community (audience reaction) Source

For viewers on the fence, the split between critics and audiences is the key signal. The Guardian’s dismissal is a warning for those who dislike bleakness. RogerEbert’s praise is a green light for quality drama. Reddit’s enthusiasm suggests the show resonates with its target audience.

For a detailed breakdown of the series’ strengths and weaknesses, check out this Task HBO miniseries review from Ireland Update.

Frequently asked questions

For viewers in the UK, the choice is clear: Task is a must-watch if you crave morally complex drama, but steer clear if you prefer lighter fare. Mark Ruffalo’s performance anchors a show that is both critically acclaimed and divisive, making it one of the most debated series of 2025.