On Sunday evening, HBO’s hit limited series Task reached its gripping conclusion, sparking a wave of conversation and reflection across the Internet. While no spoilers from the series finale will be shared here, it is worth pausing to appreciate the broader significance of this production, a series created by Chester County native Brad Ingelsby and filmed throughout Delaware County.
Task aired on HBO and streamed on Max from September 7 through October 19, spanning seven episodes that captured the grit, humanity, and authenticity of the region Ingelsby knows so well.
Born in Berwyn and a graduate of Archbishop John Carroll High School, Villanova University, and the American Film Institute, Ingelsby has established himself as one of the most distinctive storytellers working in television today. His previous HBO triumph, Mare of Easttown (2021), starring Kate Winslet, earned 16 Emmy nominations and left audiences eagerly awaiting his next project. That anticipation paid off as viewers once again found themselves immersed in his world of small-town secrets, moral complexity, and working-class resilience.
Returning to the heart of Delco, Task carries a familiar texture and emotional authenticity. The series features a strong cast led by Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey, whose performances anchor the story’s emotional core. They are joined by Emilia Jones, Fabien Frankel, and Jamie McShane, a familiar face from the acclaimed series Bloodline and Sons of Anarchy, whose presence is a welcome addition. Together, the cast brings Ingelsby’s blue-collar Pennsylvania to life with nuance and authenticity.
The general premise of Task centers on former priest turned FBI agent Tom Brandis (Mark Ruffalo), who is struggling with his own family tragedy and a worsening drinking problem. He is placed in charge of a small task force of three investigators assigned to look into a series of violent home-invasion robberies.
Opposite him, and the one orchestrating these robberies, is Robbie Prendergrast (Tom Pelphrey), a garbage collector and devoted family man seemingly leading two lives on opposite sides of the law. By day, he works tirelessly to provide for his family and raise his children alongside his niece Maeve (Emilia Jones). By night, he becomes a morally conflicted criminal, coordinating a string of stash-house robberies with his co-worker Cliff (Raul Castillo) and his close friend Peaches (Owen Teague). These heists target local “trap houses,” drug stash houses controlled by the Dark Hearts, a violent biker gang operating in the Philadelphia suburbs. As the story unfolds, we learn that Maeve’s father and Robbie’s brother, Billy, was murdered by members of the gang, and that Robbie has been working with an informant inside the organization who tips him off about which houses to hit.
Beyond its extraordinary performances, one of Task’s most striking qualities is the honesty of its dialogue. The characters’ conversations linger long after the credits roll, prompting viewers to reflect on their own beliefs about God, faith, family, fatherhood, commitment, love, and the fragile line between right and wrong.
Viewers, particularly those who loved Mare of Easttown or have spent time in Delaware County, will immediately feel a sense of familiarity in Task. The series is filled with local references, from Wawa and Rita’s Water Ice to KYW Newsradio’s “Traffic on the Twos,” authentic Delco accents, and the mix of neighborhoods and scenery that define the region. It also highlights several well-known towns and landmarks, including Chester, Broomall, Marcus Hook and the Marcus Hook Community Center, Kennett Square, and the Llanerch Diner, a key filming location in Upper Darby Township. Even if a local viewer were somehow unmoved by the acting or storyline, the local references alone are enough to inspire pride and nostalgia.
In all, Ingelsby does it again, delivering a riveting series that local residents can proudly claim as their own while giving drama fans everywhere their next crime thriller favorite. At just 45 years old, he continues to establish himself as one of the industry’s most accomplished screenwriters. Task ultimately reaffirms what Mare of Easttown first made clear: Brad Ingelsby has a rare gift for turning local stories into universal reflections on family, loyalty, and loss. True to form, Delaware County serves as both backdrop and beating heart.
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