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HBO knew it had a hit on its hands when its crime drama, Task, premiered back in September 2025. With impressive ratings and reviews praising its gritty and moving storytelling, the series has since landed six Emmy nominations. Much of the credit has to go to creator Brad Ingelsby, who is also the brains behind another popular HBO drama, Mare of Easttown. Now, thanks to some intriguing casting news, it's been confirmed that the two shows are actually connected.
Julianne Nicholson Will Be Joining the Cast of 'Task' Season 2
Julianne Nicholson is one of the standouts of Mare of Easttown as Lori Ross, Mare Sheehan's (Kate Winslet) best friend, who becomes caught up in the murder case that Mare is investigating. By the end of the season, Lori not only learns that her husband was having an affair with the victim, Erin McMenamin (Cailee Spaeny), but that her 13-year-old son, Ryan (Cameron Mann), was actually the one who killed Erin when an argument between them turned physical. Mare of Easttown ends with Lori struggling to pick up the pieces of her broken family while still leaning on Mare for support, with Nicholson's performance one of the most heartbreaking in a show filled with grief and deep pain.
At first glance, there seem to be only a few minor connections between Mare of Easttown and Task. Both shows are written by Ingelsby and share a common location in the suburbs of Philadelphia, with their stories revolving around blue-collar communities populated by characters struggling with past trauma, addiction, and violence. Yet, with the announcement that Nicholson will be reprising the role of Lori in Task Season 2, viewers now have confirmation that the shows are actually part of the same world.
'Mare of Easttown' and 'Task' Are Part of the Same Universe
Since Task first premiered, fans have made countless jokes surrounding the similarities between the two shows, including the incredibly specific "Delco" accent used, with some unserious theories involving a possible run-in between Tom Brandis (Mark Ruffalo) and Winslet's Mare Sheehan — perhaps while both are picking up hoagies at the local Wawa. Yet Ingelsby had never confirmed that the shows were happening in the same universe or even at the same time, until now.
No matter her involvement, Nicholson's casting in Task Season 2 is also an exciting prospect given thatthe second season of Mare of Easttown has been stuck in limbo. In 2024, Francesca Orsi said HBO was planning to continue with the show, and in 2026, Winslet said there is a "strong likelihood" that filming could take place in 2027. While things move at a glacial pace there, at least we have confirmation that Nicholson's character will be featured in Task.
Getting to see Nicholson step back into the role that won her an Emmy is not only thrilling, it's also noteworthy, since she'll be joined by fellow newcomers Mahershala Ali and Édgar Ramírez alongside a returning Ruffalo. Lori's appearance also creates the intriguing possibility that Winslet herself could return in the future as Mare, even for just a quick cameo. Given the pedigree of Season 2's confirmed cast, however, Nicholson will be just one part of an ensemble that's likely to help Task continue racking up Emmy nominations.
