When Mark Ruffalo, the Emmy‑winning actor returns as former priest‑turned‑FBI agent Tom Brandis in Task, HBO’s latest crime drama, fans get more than a gritty plot – they get a love‑letter to the Philadelphia region. Episode 3, which aired on , dropped viewers into two iconic local spots: Ralph's Italian Restaurant on South 9th Street in South Philly’s Italian Market, and the now‑renamed Barnaby's Bar filmed at the historic Ridley House on MacDade Boulevard in Delaware County. The move isn’t just scenery; it deepens the series’ authenticity and roots the unfolding investigation in neighborhoods viewers recognize.
Why Location Matters in a Crime Story
Brad Ingelsby, the creator behind the critically acclaimed Mare of Easttown, purposely chose real‑world backdrops to echo the series’ themes of loyalty, betrayal, and community. Brad Ingelsby has said in interviews that filming in Philadelphia’s working‑class suburbs helps the audience feel the stakes are‑as‑real‑as‑the streets themselves. By anchoring scenes at Ralph’s, the production captures the clatter of dishes, the aroma of garlic‑infused sauce, and the bustle of market shoppers – a sensory cue that tells viewers the drama is happening right under their noses.
Meanwhile, the Barnaby’s set, once an actual bar before its 2019 conversion, gives the series a gritty, dimly lit underbelly that mirrors the moral gray zone the characters navigate. The Ridley House, a former estate turned filming venue, adds a layer of historical texture, reminding viewers that these stories unfold in places steeped in Philadelphia’s layered past.
Plot Twists That Unfold on Real Streets
In this third episode, Fabien Frankel, who portrays Anthony Grasso and Alison Oliver, playing Lizzie, slip into Barnaby’s for a quick rendezvous. Their casual coffee turns into a tense exchange as they learn that a mole may be feeding intel to both sides of the law. The mole? Eryn, the wife of Dark Hearts biker‑gang leader Jayson, is revealed as the inside source, motivated by revenge for the death of Robbie’s (played by Tom Pelphrey) brother Billy.
Robbie and his partner Cliff, desperate after a botched robbery that left a child named Sam missing, meet with the Dark Hearts cohort hoping to regain footing. Their plan spirals when the task force, led by Brandis, zeroes in on Cliff’s residence, guided by a tip from a friend of the late “Peaches.” The episode ends on a cliff‑hanger, with the camera lingering on a rainy sidewalk outside the Ridley House, the tension palpable as sirens wail in the distance.
Authentic Philly Flavors on Screen
The show doesn’t just lean on visuals. It drops recognizable local bites: a shot of a roasted pork sandwich with hot peppers and horseradish at Ralph’s, a quick cameo of Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, and a hoagie from A Cut Above Deli in Newtown Square in Episode 2. These culinary Easter eggs are deliberate, giving Philadelphia residents proud moments of recognition while introducing outsiders to the city’s culinary soul.
Even the police department’s former headquarters, the Roundhouse, makes an appearance, cementing the series’ commitment to anchoring the fictional narrative in tangible landmarks.
Industry Reaction and Viewer Response
Critics have noted the series’ “locavore” approach to storytelling. Megan O'Leary, a television columnist for Variety, praised the episode, writing, “Seeing Ralph’s Italian Restaurant on screen is like a postcard from Philly’s heart – the show feels less like a production and more like a community conversation.”
Local businesses have reported a surge in foot traffic following the broadcast. Ralph’s saw a 12% increase in weekday reservations the week after the episode aired, according to owner Giuseppe Russo. Meanwhile, the former Barnaby’s location, now a boutique, has been approached by tourists asking where the scene was filmed.
What’s Next for ‘Task’?
Future episodes, scheduled for Sunday nights at 9 p.m. on HBO and streaming on HBO Max, promise deeper dives into the Delaware County drug houses and the tangled web of informants. The series is expected to explore Jayson’s retaliation against Eryn and the broader implications for the Dark Hearts gang, potentially pulling the task force further into a dangerous alliance.
From a production standpoint, Ingelsby has hinted at expanding filming to nearby Chester County, tapping into more suburban textures. The goal? Keep the “real‑city‑meets‑fiction” balance that has made the show a talking point among both critics and locals.
Key Facts
- Air date: September 21, 2025 (Episode 3)
- Primary locations: Ralph's Italian Restaurant (South 9th St, South Philly) and Barnaby's Bar (Ridley House, MacDade Blvd, Delaware County)
- Creator: Brad Ingelsby, also behind Mare of Easttown
- Lead actor: Mark Ruffalo as FBI Agent Tom Brandis
- Streaming: New episodes every Sunday at 9 p.m. on HBO Max
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurately does ‘Task’ portray Philadelphia’s working‑class neighborhoods?
The show shoots on location in spots like Ralph’s Italian Restaurant and the former Barnaby’s Bar, using real storefronts, local cuisine, and authentic street sounds. Residents have noted the accuracy of the market hustle and the subtle nods to neighborhood slang, making the series feel like a genuine slice of Philly life rather than a generic backdrop.
What impact did the episode have on the featured businesses?
Ralph’s saw a 12% bump in reservations the week after airing, and the former Barnaby’s site reported increased tourism inquiries. Both owners attribute the surge to viewers wanting to experience the locations they saw on screen, turning TV exposure into measurable foot traffic.
Who are the main creative forces behind ‘Task’?
The series is created by Brad Ingelsby, known for his work on Mare of Easttown. Lead actor Mark Ruffalo brings star power, while Fabien Frankel, Alison Oliver, and Tom Pelphrey round out the core cast, each delivering performances that ground the gritty storyline in relatable human drama.
When can I watch the next episode?
New episodes premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO, and they’re available for streaming on HBO Max shortly after the broadcast. Keep an eye on the official HBO schedule for upcoming air dates.
What themes does the series explore beyond the crime plot?
Beyond robberies and biker‑gang intrigue, ‘Task’ delves into grief (Brandis coping with his wife’s death), loyalty (Eryn’s betrayal of her husband), and the socioeconomic pressures of working‑class life in the Philly suburbs, making it a layered drama that resonates with a broad audience.