The latest crime thriller to land on Apple TV is Araminta Hall’s Imperfect Women. Hall serves as executive producer of the book-adapted series, which examines the close friendship between Eleanor (Kerry Washington), Mary (Elisabeth Moss), and Nancy (Kate Mara). When one of them is a victim of a crime, the decades-long friendship is re-examined, exploring themes of guilt, love, and betrayal.
The trio of women, who have been friends since their youth, seemed close on the outside but held even closer to their secrets. Eleanor is a successful businesswoman and is known throughout the community as a do-gooder, yet she hides her inappropriate work relationship. Mary is more what this new generation would call a “trad wife”, as she relishes her position as mom, wife, and keeper of peace within her house. Nancy has a past filled with trauma and suffering on a poverty-stricken level before marrying Robert (Joel Kinnaman), a wealthy businessman whose family’s assets quietly keep him afloat.
The story is intriguing, the flow is great, and the plot twists are what will make this series a hit. The first three episodes feel like Kerry Washington is forced upon audiences with a storyline that fans of hers are too familiar with. Her performance as Eleanor feels like a reprisal of Olivia Pope (Scandal), all the way down to sleeping with powerful white men. That same dynamic, mixed with a host of terrible decisions, makes her character almost unbearable. Thankfully, a break comes by Episode 4, “Nancy”, when the series shifts to show the trio’s friendship dynamics from differing perspectives. By Episode 7, “Fabulation”, the trio hit their stride, and the story maximizes on suspense. The number of plot twists in the series is so well executed that I was left guessing throughout most of the season. A fabulous “whodunnit” with surprises to boot.
The series has it all: love, murder, and enough lies to question why friendship was ever an option. A flurry of bad decisions by all three becomes a nuisance, but ultimately, the acting and suspense are what will keep folks hooked. With the focus primarily on the women (where it should be), a trio of men, Corey Stoll, Leslie Odom Jr., and Jackson Kelly, also impress in their roles. This steamy, dramatic thriller is definitely a must-add to your watchlist.
Imperfect Women gets an 8.5 out of 10. Lots of sex and loads of drama feature heavily in this friend-filled whodunni. Secrets are exposed and principles trampled in this eight-episode drama that’s sure to be all the talk when it premieres on Apple TV next week.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of Apple TV
Genre: Drama
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 8 Episodes | 43 mins.
Trailer: Watch
U.S. Release Date: March 18, 2026