Mark Ruffalo's Task: A New HBO Crime Series Set in the Same Universe as Mare of Easttown

The Link Between Task and Mare of Easttown

Mare of Easttown ended in May 2021, but its legacy will reportedly live on in Mark Ruffalo's upcoming television series, Task, which must take advantage of its connection to the critically acclaimed show starring Kate Winslet.

Kate Winslet as Mare in Mare of Easttown doing a little skeptical active listening while in a park

The 2021 crime drama limited series was created and written by Brad Ingelsby for HBO, and Ingelsby is also the mind behind Ruffalo's new show alongside Jeremiah Zagar. Following the success of Mare of Easttown, Ingelsby secured a three-year deal with HBO to create new projects for the premium cable network, leading to the development of Task, which doesn't have a premiere date yet.

Mare of Easttown on HBO Max

Mare of Easttown consisted of seven episodes and chronicled Winslet's Detective Marianne 'Mare' Sheehan's investigation into the murder of Erin McMenamin, a teenage single mother with an abusive father and horrible ex-boyfriend. Aside from trying to solve the troubling case, Mare dealt with another unsolved murder that had plagued her for over a year and many other problems in her personal life. The limited series took many twists and turns, and following its finale, the show received widespread acclaim and won multiple prestigious awards.

Mare of Easttown promo art featuring Kate Winslet as the titular detective in uniform.

Mark Ruffalo's Character in Task

Not much is known about Mark Ruffalo's upcoming HBO television series other than sparse details about the actor's character and that it will be set in the same world as Mare of Easttown. Ruffalo explained that he will play an FBI agent who is 'complicated' and 'badly damaged but fighting for good' in Task. His character sounds as if he will be the counterpart of Kate Winslet's role in Mare of Easttown, as his FBI agent will be the head of a kidnapping and murder investigation.

mark ruffalo in dark waters

Ruffalo's character will be the head of a kidnapping and murder investigation, and there are hints that he may call on Mare for help in solving the case. Task is in the 'same universe' as Mare of Easttown and is set in Philly, leaving the possibility open for the two characters to meet in the future.

Kate Winslet as Mare In Mare of Easttown season 1, looking somewhat wan

Capitalizing on the Connection to Mare of Easttown

Since Task's connection to Mare of Easttown is among the first news surrounding Mark Ruffalo's upcoming miniseries, it has to make the most out of that significant detail. It seems as though the early marketing surrounding Brad Ingelsby's next HBO television show will (and should) relate to the fact that it is set in the same universe and town as the critically acclaimed 2021 limited series starring Kate Winslet.

Integrating significant features from the Kate Winslet limited series into Task would be a great way to keep the popular show alive without HBO having to greenlight Mare of Easttown season 2. Both Winslet and creator Brad Ingelsby have expressed that they are open to continuing the story, and the best way to do that is via Mark Ruffalo's upcoming miniseries.