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Task Creator Navigates First Sequel Challenge
4 Jun
Summary
- Showrunner Brad Ingelsby is writing Season 2 of Task, his first sequel.
- Ingelsby finds writing returning characters a new, interesting challenge.
- The new season will explore unresolved emotional stories from Season 1.
Brad Ingelsby, the creator-showrunner of the HBO crime drama Task, is currently in the midst of preparing for the series' second season. This marks a significant career milestone as it is his first time writing a sequel to a show he created.
Ingelsby finds the experience of revisiting characters and their established storylines to be a novel and intriguing challenge. He believes there were still unresolved emotional narratives from the first season, providing fertile ground for Season 2.
The show's return to HBO was driven by the success of its first season, which featured an ensemble cast including Oscar nominee Mark Ruffalo. Ingelsby has found writing for familiar actors, knowing their strengths, has made the process easier than the initial season.
For the upcoming season, Ingelsby is introducing a new group of antagonists, including a character played by Mahershala Ali. He expressed a particular enjoyment in crafting new characters, even as he balances plot development with character depth.
Ingelsby aims for Task to feel familiar to audiences who enjoyed his previous work, such as Mare of Easttown, by exploring similar themes of working-class life and complex family dynamics. He wants the show to offer a sense of place and comfort for viewers.
He detailed the casting of Mark Ruffalo as FBI Agent Tom Brandis, emphasizing the character's empathy and compassionate nature, inspired by Ingelsby's uncle. Tom Pelphrey was chosen for the role of Robbie due to his blend of physicality and gentle dreamer persona.
Ingelsby highlighted the pivotal car scene between Brandis and Robbie, likening it to the iconic café scene in Heat. This scene was crucial for both characters' arcs, particularly for Brandis regaining his faith in goodness.
The second season of Task is expected to build upon the procedural and family dynamic elements that resonated with audiences in the first season. Ingelsby indicated they are taking creative risks with structure and storytelling to make the new season ambitious and surprising.
