Pennsylvania drops a record $49.8 million tax cut on HBO to keep Season 2 of Task filming in Philly
Pennsylvania just dropped the bag on HBO. And honestly, it is about time.
The state officially awarded a massive $49.8 million tax credit to Season 2 of “Task,” Brad Ingelsby’s gritty Philadelphia-area crime drama.
That is the largest tax credit ever handed to a single production in Pennsylvania, which tells you exactly how seriously the state takes this show.
‘TASK’ has been renewed for Season 2 at HBO
When “Task” comes to town, the economy wakes up.
HBO projects that filming Season 2 entirely in Southeastern Pennsylvania will pump more than $194 million into the state and create over 3,700 jobs.
That is everything from crew to carpenters to background actors to coffee shops that suddenly find themselves feeding 200 sleep-deprived production assistants at 5 a.m. The hospitality industry is already counting the money with an estimated 25,000 hotel nights tied to the shoot.
Brad Ingelsby, who grew up in Berwyn and somehow keeps finding new ways to make Southeast Pennsylvania look like the most cinematic place on earth, is thrilled to keep the show at home.
His first HBO series, “Mare of Easttown” turned Philly and Delco into international stars. “Task” picked up right where that left off.
Now it is officially round two.
The Pennsylvania Film Office confirmed that the show qualifies for the state’s 25 to 30 percent production credit by spending at least 60 percent of its budget here. For context, the entire program for the 2025 to 2026 budget year is $100 million. “Task” alone is getting nearly half of it. That is how valuable HBO is to Pennsylvania’s economy.
Season 1 of “Task” filmed everywhere. Aston, Marcus Hook, Media, Ridley Township, Upper Chichester, Wissahickon Valley Park, the Italian Market, the Bangor Quarry, the Poconos. If it was gritty, blue collar, or vaguely damp looking, HBO filmed there.
It also put a national spotlight on local businesses like Havertown Bicycle Shop, Forin Cafe in Kensington, and Philly artist HeavySlime, whose designs appeared all over the show.
Season 2 is expected to do the same, although HBO has not announced when cameras start rolling. Mark Ruffalo is the only confirmed returning cast member so far, reprising his role as FBI agent Tom Brandis. Ingelsby is keeping the rest of the plot and cast locked up tighter than a Delco Wawa bathroom.
Janet Graham Borba, HBO’s executive vice president of production, said the Philly region adds an “invaluable level of authenticity.” She is right. You cannot fake the way this area looks, feels, and sounds. There is a reason HBO keeps coming back.
The Shapiro administration has been pushing for this kind of investment, and this deal is a monster win for the state’s creative economy. Thousands of direct and indirect jobs, massive business for small shops, and a whole new wave of national exposure for the region.
Hollywood keeps trying to recreate the Philly vibe on soundstages. Yet it ends up back here every time. Because nothing beats the real thing.
Season 2 of “Task” is officially a Pennsylvania production. Fire it up.
Read More
William & Mary erased a 10-point deficit in under a minute to stun Villanova
Villanova. Yikes. In FCS Week Zero, William & Mary pulled…
This woman was ready to fight off the masked man terrorizing Philly residents in center city
Every so often a story comes along that reminds you…
Philadelphia masked man needs a perp walk down Broad Street when they finally catch this creep
The Philadelphia masked man running around Center City at 5…
Comments (0)