HBO’s upcoming drama Task debuts September 7, introducing viewers to a tense, character-driven story of family, sacrifice, and survival. The series comes from Brad Ingelsby, creator of Mare of Easttown, and stars Mark Ruffalo, Tom Pelphrey, and Emilia Jones. Though Ruffalo was unable to attend the show’s press conference due to illness, Pelphrey and Jones joined Ingelsby for a lively discussion about the project, the world of Delaware County, and the challenges of stepping into their characters.
Finding Robbie Prendergrast Through Fatherhood
Pelphrey, who plays Robbie Prendergrast, spoke passionately about his connection to the role. Having recently become a father, he said the character’s motivation was instantly relatable. “I felt instantly connected with Robbie on the level—probably the most important level—of having just become a father myself,” he shared. “I will do anything for my child. Anything. So then to get to play Robbie, where everything he’s doing is for the sake of his children, I just know in my bones that’s the truth.”
That personal connection, Pelphrey said, meant Robbie never felt far from him. “I never felt like Robbie was very far away from me at all, in a beautiful way.”
Chemistry with Emilia Jones and the Power of Ingelsby’s Writing
Much of the conversation turned to Pelphrey’s dynamic with Emilia Jones, who plays Maeve Prendergrast. Though Maeve often resents Robbie for dragging her into his chaos, Jones said Pelphrey’s layered performance shifted her view while filming. “Tom made Robbie so likable that you almost understand why he’s doing what he’s doing. It made me love Maeve and Robbie’s relationship because there’s so much love there,” she explained.
Pelphrey said his admiration for Jones translated seamlessly into their onscreen bond. “In some ways, I so deeply, naturally admired Emilia’s maturity and hard work. It was very easy to shift how I felt about Emilia right on to Maeve.”
He also praised Ingelsby’s writing for giving every actor a strong foundation. “What Brad put on the page is so beautiful and so engaging and well-crafted. Every single character has a strong why. With Brad, it’s all there. It allows for complexity. And when you finally watch the show, you realize every actor’s work is elevated because of that.”
Authenticity in Accent, Location, and Detail
The authenticity of Task begins with the distinct Delaware County dialect. Pelphrey grew up in New Jersey and admitted some of the inflections were already part of his natural speech. Still, he stressed the importance of hearing locals speak to capture the rhythm. “You get to a certain point where you can no longer trust anything except hearing it come out of someone’s mouth. That’s when it becomes real,” he said.
That realism extended to filming in Pennsylvania. “I was in heaven. I grew up in Jersey not too far away, and I loved every minute of it,” Pelphrey said. “You really felt embraced by the community we were filming in, in a way you don’t always get.”
He also marveled at the set design’s detail. “Every day on set, I’d take out my phone and take a picture of something because I was so blown away by the specificity. There were googly eyes on a light switch in the house set. That’s a house full of kids. It made everything feel real.”
A Story Rooted in Empathy and Sacrifice
While Task delivers suspense, crime, and action, Pelphrey sees the heart of the series in its emotional core. “Everything Robbie does is for his family. You may not agree with his choices, but you understand them,” he said.
Ingelsby echoed that idea, noting that the show aims to inspire empathy for every character, even at their most flawed. Pelphrey described the process as both personal and surprising. “Every day was an invitation to make everything personal. You’d leave scenes surprised, and that’s the best feeling.”
As Task prepares to premiere, Pelphrey’s words capture the essence of the series: authenticity, complexity, and a deep sense of family. “Robbie never felt far away from me,” he reflected. “And I think that’s what will make the audience connect to him too.”
