Mark Ruffalo Reveals the Thing He Learned Working Alongside an FBI Agent for His Role in Task (Exclusive)

Mark Ruffalo picked up some real-world knowledge while preparing for his role on the new crime drama Task.

PEOPLE recently caught up with the actor at the show’s New York City premiere at the Perelman Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Sept. 4. During the conversation, Ruffalo, 57, revealed what he learned from hanging out with an actual FBI employee as he prepared to play the fictional FBI agent, Tom Brandis.

“I learned that the best FBI agents have a lot of empathy,” Ruffalo said.

The I Know This Much Is True star previously told PEOPLE that he spent time with one person in particular ahead of this most recent performance on the HBO miniseries.

“I spent a lot of time with FBI agent Scott Duffey. That’s about the most I did,” he said at the All the President’s Men reading to benefit the Center at West Park in N.Y.C. on Aug. 25.

The Marvel star also said that he became well-acquainted with the food scene in Philadelphia, where the show takes place. “I ate a lot of Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. I just put a bunch of weight on,” he recalled.

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According to HBO, Task is “set in the working-class suburbs of Philadelphia,” where Tom Brandis leads a task force attempting “to put an end to a string of violent robberies led by an unsuspecting family man.”

The drama also stars Ozark alum Tom Pelphrey as Robbie Prendergast, a father-of-two who is embroiled in a life of crime. 

The seven-episode series comes from Mare of Easttown creator Brad Ingelsby, who is an executive producer alongside with Ruffalo.

The Task ensemble also includes CODA star Emilia Jones, Wednesday‘s Jamie McShane, The Woman King breakout Thuso Mbedu, House of the Dragon actor Fabien Frankel, Raúl Castillo from Looking and Martha Plimpton.

Task airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.