Task Cast Delivers Authentic Pennsylvania Accents as HBO Crime Drama Premieres

HBO’s new crime miniseries Task debuted on Sept. 7, with Mark Ruffalo and cast mastering Delaware County accents under coach Susanne Sulby, the actors revealed Sunday.

Nut Graf Created and written by Mare of Easttown’s Brad Ingelsby, Task stars Ruffalo as former priest-turned-FBI agent Tom Brandis and Tom Pelphrey as Robbie Prendergrast, a sanitation worker turned robber. The seven-episode limited series unfolds in Philadelphia’s suburbs, with episodes available weekly on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET through Oct. 19.

Dialect Coaching and Authenticity

Lead actor Mark Ruffalo described days of intensive coaching with Susanne Sulby-dialect coach on Mare of Easttown-to perfect “wild” Pennsylvania accents, noting Sulby’s on-set guidance was indispensable for the cast’s performances.
Ruffalo praised Sulby for “hours and hours” of daily sessions, saying her work “really helped create that world in an auditory sort of way.”

Main Cast and Characters

Mark Ruffalo as FBI Agent Tom Brandis, a grieving former priest leading the task force.
Tom Pelphrey as Robbie Prendergrast, a devoted single father who robs from drug dealers to support his family.
Emilia Jones as Maeve Prendergrast, Robbie’s resourceful niece.
Thuso Mbedu as Aleah, a member of the task force.
Raúl Castillo as Cliff, Robbie’s partner-in-crime.
Silvia Dionicio as Emily, Tom’s adopted daughter. Additional cast includes Fabien Frankel, Alison Oliver, Jamie McShane, Sam Keeley and Martha Plimpton.

Episode Release Schedule

Sept. 7: Episode 1
Sept. 14: Episode 2
Sept. 21: Episode 3
Sept. 28: Episode 4
Oct. 5: Episode 5
Oct. 12: Episode 6
Oct. 19: Episode 7 New episodes premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max.