‘Task’ Teaser: Mark Ruffalo Leads Hunt for Armed Robbers in New Series From ‘Mare of Easttown’ Creator (TV News Roundup)

Mark Ruffalo stars as an FBI agent tasked with solving a series of violent robberies in the new HBO drama series “Task.”

From “Mare of Easttown” creator Brad Ingelsby, “Task” dives into the working class suburbs of Philadelphia as Ruffalo’s character puts together a crucial Task Force. The cast is rounded out by Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, Jamie McShane, Sam Keeley, Thuso Mbedu, Fabien Frankel and Alison Oliver.

Ingelsby directed both Kate Winslet and Julianne Nicholson to Emmy wins in “Mare of Easttown.” “Task” is directed and executive produced by Jeremiah Zagar and Salli Richardson-Whitfield. Additional executive producers include Ruffalo, Mark Roybal, Paul Lee, David Crockett and Ron Schmidt, while Mark Roybal and Paul Lee executive produce for wiip. Nicole Jordan-Webber and Jeremy Yaches co-executive produce for Public Record.   

“Task” will debut this September on HBO with the seven episodes debuting weekly. Watch the first official teaser below.

FIRST LOOKS/TRAILERS

Would you be able to leave modern technology behind? Three American families will have to in the new reality series “Back to the Frontier,” set to premiere Thursday, July 10 on Magnolia Network and Max.

To live as 1880s homesteaders, each family will have to navigate life without electricity or running water throughout the eight episodes. The show is executive produced by Chip and Joanna Gaines and is one of their “ambitious large-scale competitions” and “out-of-the-box social experiments” intended to bring parents and children audiences together, as Variety previously reported.

Check out first look images from “Back to the Frontier” below.

PROGRAMMING

Gordon Ramsay’s production company, Studio Ramsay Global, is launching the eight-episode documentary series “Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars,” which will stream on Apple TV+.

Set in the world of international fine dining with locations ranging from Los Angeles, Mexico City to London, the series “follows the fates of elite chefs at some of the world’s most unique and celebrated restaurants to determine if they will win, maintain or lose that precious Star,” according to an official synopsis.

“As a chef, the pursuit for perfection is everything, and you cannot underestimate the unbelievable drive and ambition, the determination and sacrifice, these chefs are going through day in and day out, chasing the dream of acknowledgment from The Michelin Guide,” Ramsay said in a statement.

“Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars” is executive produced by Ramsay, Lisa Edwards and Morgan Roberts. A release date has yet to be announced.

EXECUTIVE NEWS

Howard Swartz is joining Pioneer Productions as Chief Executive Officer, beginning work in the company’s London headquarters.

In his new role, Swartz will focus on expanding Pioneer’s slate of factual content across many different genres, including feature docs, limited series and docuseries, with the goal of reaching younger audiences.

“Pioneer Productions has always stood for intelligent, ambitious, and entertaining factual content,” Swartz said in a statement. “In the midst of this global television transformation, I’m looking forward to building a slate that honors the company’s DNA while creating space for fresh voices, new topics, and formats that can entertain and inform audiences across broadcast, streaming, digital and whatever platform might come next.”

Swartz brings his prior experience at Warner Bros. Discovery, where he oversaw programming for Shark Week and launched limited docuseries for Discovery like the Emmy-nominated “Serengeti” and Emmy-nominated feature documentary “January 6th.” Swartz left the company in 2023 to serve as EVP of production and development at Stephen David Entertainment.

DATES

“Storage Wars” is returning with more auctions and action with a premiere date set for Saturday, June 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

The bidders are once again on the hunt for abandoned storage units to decide what they can make profitable. The official synopsis for this ten-episode season reads: “Join the bidding frenzy as Dan and Laura Dotson take their place leading the auction as buyers compete to grab the best locker of the day. Brandi Passante, Dave Hester, Kenny Crossley, Ivy Calvin and his sons, Rene and Casey Nezhoda, Lisa Delarios, and Dusty Riach all return as buyers with one ultimate goal – to have their bid be the one to secure the win.”

“Storage Wars” is produced for A&E by Original Productions. Executive producers for Original Productions are Jeff Hasler, Brian Lovett, Jeff Bumgarner and Roman Mykytyn, while Franklin Cumberbatch and Sean Gottlieb executive produce for A&E. 

PODCASTS

Bloomberg’s business and sports podcast “The Deal” has officially returned for Season 3, with guests this season including Mellody Hobson, Susie Wolff and Josh Harris.

Hosted by Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly, “The Deal” interviews major corporate titans, sports champions and entrepreneurs every week to get their insights on making deals and navigating their various industries. Previous guests include Magic Johnson, Serena Williams and Billie Jean King.

This season of “The Deal” airs Wednesdays at 6 p.m. on Bloomberg Television and 8 p.m. on Bloomberg Originals, before streaming on all podcast platforms Thursday.