‘Task’: 3 Theories About That ‘Mare of Easttown’ Crossover in Season 2

Task is colliding with HBO‘s other Delco-set favorite, Mare of Easttown, for its second season, as it was unveiled that Julianne Nicholson would join the cast, reprising her role as Lori Ross from the Emmy-winning hit.

But how will Lori factor into the story revolving around FBI agent Tom Brandis (Mark Ruffalo) as he heads up a new task force on a new mission? We can’t help but imagine some theories or scenarios as we await the latest chapter of this acclaimed series, hailing from Brad Ingelsby.

Below, we’re breaking down a few potential avenues Task could take in incorporating the Mare of Easttown world into its storylines. Let us know which theory you enjoy most and share your own in the comments section below.

Tom and Laurie connect over trauma

As viewers will recall in Task Season 1, Tom struggled with his sobriety as he continued to grieve his wife Susan’s (Mireille Enos) death after their son Ethan (Andrew Russel) pushed her down the stairs. He was beginning to improve as he got more in touch with his mental health, but Tom could easily be a member of some kind of support group in the area that Lori might be a part of. For those who may recall, in Mare of Easttown, Lori was left to raise a baby her husband, John (Joe Tippett), fathered with his niece, Erin McMenamin (Cailee Spaeny), after he was sent to jail, as was Lori and John’s son Ryan (Cameron Mann) for having shot Erin to death. Perhaps, could the crossover go so far as to see Tom and Lori find comfort in one another?! The possibility is certainly there.

Laurie is a witness

In a less involved twist, perhaps Laurie could serve as a witness or assist in solving the crime at the center of Season 2’s storyline. It would be a less prominent crossover possibility, but no less exciting. After all, Laurie knows quite a bit about twisty crimes after Mare of Easttown‘s Season 1 mystery.

Backdoor set up for Mare of Easttown Season 2

Kate Winslet, who played the titular detective Mare Sheehan in Mare of Easttown, previously stated that there were conversations about the show’s potential return, and she went so far as to say, “I reckon it would end up being 2027 to film it. There’s a strong likelihood it would film sometime in 2027.” If Laurie is the first connective tissue between the two shows, could her presence be the launching pad for Mare of Easttown Season 2? If Winslet’s words ring true, the timeline would align. It would certainly be a more than welcome return for the detective who last appeared on TV screens in 2021. If Nicholson’s Laurie is involved in a mystery for Season 2 of Task, could it bleed into Mare of Easttown? It’s something we’d be happy to see.

Task, Season 2 Premiere, TBA, HBO

Mare of Easttown, Season 1, Streaming now, HBO Max