Warning! Spoilers for Task episode 5 ahead!
Fabien Frankel has done it again, following up his House of the Dragon villain role with a similar character in HBO’s Task. Of course, on paper, these two series are about as different as they can be. One is a fantasy while the other is a crime drama, and the only thing they seem to have in common is HBO and the name Fabien Frankel on their cast lists.
Frankel rose to fame playing Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon, a character who we all love to hate. He’ll return to the fantasy series for season 3, but, in the meantime, Frankel has begun appearing in other projects. Most notable is HBO’s Task, which also stars Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey. Frankel plays a character named Anthony Grusso, a detective who, at least at first, was quite likable.
Fabien Frankel’s Two HBO Shows Give Him Devastating Villain Twists
When HBO’s Task introduced Frankel’s character, it seemed for a moment that the House of the Dragon star was playing a good guy. Grasso is charming, likable, and even quite funny. However, when it was revealed that Ruffalo’s Tom Brandis had to be on the lookout for an informant within his team, I had the nasty feeling that it was going to be Grasso. Naturally, Task confirmed the suspicion.
This is the second time that Frankel has played a character with this sort of villain twist. In House of the Dragon, Ser Criston was just as likable at first. However, his jealousy over Rhaenyra turned him into one of Game of Thrones’ most despicable characters—and that’s saying something. Overall, these two characters prove that Frankel has a real knack for this sort of story arc.
Fabien Frankel Is Incredible At Playing Good Guys Who Turn Bad With The Flip Of A Switch
It’s really a testament to Frankel’s skill as an actor that Task‘s Anthony Grasso could pull one over on us again. He has a truly likable quality, which makes viewers really want to think the best of his characters. Frankel is certainly handsome and naturally charming, but with a sort of boy-next-door quality that makes him seem trustworthy—until he flips the bill.
In House of the Dragon, it’s hard even to recall that we ever found Ser Criston charming. Now, Task‘s Grasso is headed that same way. The shoe has yet to fall in this regard, since this HBO crime drama hasn’t explained precisely why Grasso is working with the Dark Hearts. The absolute devastation will come when Lizzie, who has romantic feelings for Frankel’s character, learns the truth.
Ser Criston Cole is beyond redemption. Frankel’s charm aside, we’re all eager to see this House of the Dragon character meet a Joffrey-like end. Similarly, it won’t be easy to lend any sympathy to Task‘s Grasso if it turns out that he was playing Lizzie all along. It’s quite a trend for Frankel. Perhaps next time, however, this actor can actually remain likable throughout the duration of an HBO series.
