HBO Crime Drama Task Premieres With Character Death, Sets High Stakes

HBO's new crime drama "Task," created by Brad Ingelsby, follows Tom Brandis, a former priest turned FBI agent played by Mark Ruffalo, who leads a task force investigating violent robberies targeting a motorcycle gang's drug houses. The series reveals the robbers, including garbageman Robbie Prendergast (Tom Pelphrey), who steals while raising his children and struggles with the moral consequences of his actions, including kidnapping a young boy who witnesses one of their crimes. The show's premiere shocks viewers with the brutal death of Peaches, a member of Robbie's crew, highlighting the high stakes and unpredictability of the narrative. Ingelsby emphasizes that killing off a likable character early signals that "everything is on the table" in this intense drama. Episode two, titled "Family Statements," continues to explore Tom's deepening involvement in the case and Robbie's efforts to manage the fallout and protect his family. Overall, "Task" presents a tense, morally complex story set in Pennsylvania, blending character-driven drama with escalating violence.