Imagine discovering that your favorite charming actor keeps pulling off the ultimate betrayal—turning from hero to villain right before your eyes. It's a rollercoaster that leaves fans reeling, and Fabien Frankel is the mastermind behind it in two wildly different HBO hits. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this pattern a stroke of genius or just a lazy trope that's starting to wear thin? Stick around, and let's dive into how Frankel's knack for these shocking twists is captivating audiences across genres.
Fabien Frankel's Villainous Turns in House of the Dragon and Task
HBO's Latest Crime Thriller Paints Fabien Frankel with a Troubled Reputation
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Angel Shaw serves as a Lead Writer and Peer Mentor on ScreenRant's New TV team, focusing on fresh TV releases from all top streaming services. Since joining ScreenRant in 2022, she's honed her expertise in Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and fantasy worlds.
Angel earned a bachelor's in language interpreting and is deeply enthusiastic about cultural and communicative themes, particularly how they weave through popular media from Shakespeare's plays to Friends reruns and Game of Thrones epics.
Caution: Spoilers for Task's fifth episode are coming up!
Fabien Frankel has struck again, building on his antagonistic part in House of the Dragon by embodying a comparable figure in HBO's Task. On the surface, these shows couldn't be more distinct—one dives into epic fantasy realms, while the other plunges into gritty crime narratives. Yet, they share HBO as their home and Fabien Frankel as a key player in their ensembles.
Frankel shot to stardom portraying Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon, a character that audiences adore despising. He'll reprise his role in the fantasy saga's third season, but meanwhile, he's branched out into new ventures. The standout among them is HBO's Task, featuring Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey in its cast. Here, Frankel takes on Anthony Grusso, a detective who initially comes across as thoroughly endearing.
Fabien Frankel's Dual HBO Projects Deliver Heartbreaking Villain Reveals
When Task first unveiled Frankel's persona, it felt like the House of the Dragon star might finally be cast as the protagonist. Grusso exudes charisma, warmth, and even humor. But as the plot hinted that Ruffalo's Tom Brandis needed to watch for a mole in his squad, a sinking suspicion set in that Grusso was the culprit. Sure enough, Task validated that hunch, flipping the script in a major way.
This marks the second occasion Frankel has navigated such a treacherous character evolution. In House of the Dragon, Ser Criston began as equally appealing, only for his envy toward Rhaenyra to morph him into one of Game of Thrones' most reviled figures—and that's no small feat in that universe. Together, these portrayals underscore Frankel's talent for crafting these layered journeys.
Fabien Frankel Excels at Depicting Heroes Who Suddenly Become Antagonists
Picture this: An actor so convincing in goodness that you root for them wholeheartedly, only for them to shatter that illusion with a single, devastating revelation. That's Frankel's specialty, and it's on full display in Task's Anthony Grusso. His inherent likability draws viewers in, making us eager to believe in his integrity. With his handsome features and approachable, everyman charm, he builds trust effortlessly—until the facade crumbles.
In House of the Dragon, it's almost impossible to remember ever seeing Ser Criston as charming now. Task's Grusso seems poised for a similar downfall. The full impact hasn't hit yet, as the crime series hasn't delved into Grusso's motives for aligning with the Dark Hearts. The real heartbreak will unfold when Lizzie, who harbors romantic affections for Frankel's character, uncovers the deception.
Ser Criston Cole is utterly irredeemable, and despite Frankel's magnetic appeal, fans are itching for this House of the Dragon anti-hero to face a fate akin to Joffrey's. Likewise, extending empathy to Task's Grusso might prove challenging if his involvement with Lizzie was all an act. It's a recurring theme for Frankel. And this is the part most people miss: Could this typecasting limit his range, or is it a savvy career move that keeps him in demand? Perhaps in his next HBO endeavor, he'll get to stay on the side of the angels for the whole run.
*
Task
9/10
Release Dates
2025 - 2025-00-00
Network
HBO
**
Tom
**
Tom Pelphrey
Robbie
Task unfolds as a crime drama in Philadelphia's blue-collar outskirts, chronicling an FBI agent's efforts to dismantle a task force targeting brutal heists led by a deceptively average family man, exposing the intricacies of his hidden existence.
*
House of the Dragon
8/10
Release Date
August 21, 2022
Network
HBO
**
Prince Daemon Targaryen
**
Fabien Frankel
Ser Criston Cole
Set roughly 172 years prior to Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon chronicles the ascent of the Targaryens, the sole dragon-riding clan to endure Valyria's cataclysm. The acclaimed HBO spin-off initially featured Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as young Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower, later succeeded by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke portraying their matured selves. The series also boasts Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra's father, King Viserys Targaryen.
What do you think—does Fabien Frankel's pattern of villainous flips make him a versatile actor or trap him in a rut? Is there a risk that these twists become predictable, diminishing their impact? Share your thoughts in the comments: Do you root for redemption in characters like Criston or Grusso, or do you prefer the unapologetic villainy? And here's a controversial take: Maybe these arcs reflect real-life betrayals we all fear—could that be why they resonate so deeply? Let's discuss!
