Julianne Nicholson (Blonde, Dream Scenario, August: Osage County) is returning to the world of Mare of Easttown in the second season of HBO’s Task. According to Variety, Nicholson will reprise her Emmy-winning role as Lori Ross in the upcoming season of the crime drama, officially connecting the two series.
Created by Brad Ingelsby (The Lost Bus, Run All Night, The Way Back), both Task and Mare of Easttown are set in the working-class suburbs of Philadelphia. While the two series previously existed independently of one another, Nicholson’s appearance will mark the first direct crossover between the HBO dramas.
Details surrounding Lori’s role in the upcoming season remain under wraps. Nicholson joins returning star Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight, The Kids Are All Right, The Avengers), who portrays FBI agent Tom Brandis. Season two will follow Tom as he takes charge of a new task force, but as the operation progresses, identifying the true target becomes increasingly difficult.
The upcoming season also stars Mahershala Ali (Moonlight, Green Book, Leave the World Behind), Harry Melling (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, The Old Guard, Pillion), Adam Nagaitis (The Terror, The Man with the Iron Heart, The Commuter), Aminah Nieves (1923, A House of Dynamite, Blueberry), and Edgar Ramírez (Gold, Point Break, Borderlands).
Mare of Easttown premiered on HBO in 2021 and starred Kate Winslet (Titanic, The Reader, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) as detective Mare Sheehan. The limited series followed Mare as she investigated the murder of a teenage mother while facing difficulties in her personal life. Nicholson portrayed Mare’s best friend, Lori, whose family became closely connected to the murder investigation.
Although Mare of Easttown was originally developed as a limited series, discussions surrounding a potential second season have continued. Winslet and Ingelsby have both previously discussed the possibility of returning to the series, with Winslet recently suggesting that another season could potentially film in 2027. HBO has not officially renewed the series for a second season.
Nicholson won an Emmy Award for her performance as Lori in Mare of Easttown. She later received a second Emmy for her guest appearance as Dance Mom in HBO’s Hacks, starring Jean Smart (Babylon, Garden State, The Accountant). Her additional television credits include Paradise, Dope Girls, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, The Outsider, and Boardwalk Empire.
Ingelsby serves as creator and showrunner of Task. A premiere date for the second season has not yet been announced.