Imperfect Women – Review | Apple TV Series

IMPERFECT WOMEN on Apple TV is a new psychological thriller series based on a best-selling novel. The plot focuses on three very different friends portrayed by Kerry Washington, Elisabeth Moss, and Kate Mara. Before the end of episode 1, only two of them are still alive. Read our Imperfect Women series review here!

IMPERFECT WOMEN is a new Apple TV series with eight episodes. If you’re familiar with Araminta Hall’s book, which this series is based on, then you’ll already know that it has several narrators. Or points of view, if you will. Having just watched the Spanish Netflix series That Night and loved this approach, I was excited to see this format play out again.

With this new Apple TV production, the narrator doesn’t change from one episode to the next, so it didn’t offer the same dynamic vibe. I’m fine with that and still enjoyed the changing points of view, showing that the truth lies somewhere in between the perceived reality of various people. What I did not care for was the many steamy scenes, which I frankly found forced at times.

Continue reading our Imperfect Women series review below. Start watching on Apple TV when the first two episodes are released on March 18, 2026.

A murder mystery – and mystery of life

If there is one thing at the heart of Imperfect Women that I noticed, it’s that as much as this is a murder mystery, it’s also about the mystery of life. There is a key element about everyone keeping secrets and nobody really knowing each other, which I found to be sad. Not just in relationships (which, with the rate of divorce, is hardly surprising) but also in lifelong friendships.

I don’t assume that I know everything about friends, but I would like to think I know the content of their character. And, also, that I know their general moral compass. In Imperfect Women, I got the feeling that nobody really knew each other. Even when they let people in, it was with several rooms boarded up and off-limits.

In any case, it makes sense for a story about a murder mystery, where everyone is about to realize the secrets of their closest friends. At the heart is the decades-long friendship of three women, and one of their deaths will shine a spotlight on old guilt and retribution alongside evolutions of love and betrayal.

Finally, everyone will be forced to recognize the compromises that have been made over the years. In all kinds of relationships.

And yes, we are dealing with (mostly) wealthy or well-off characters, so there is a lot of “first-world problems” being covered. Though obviously, murder transcends money. Well, sort of. I mean, if you have enough money (which equals power), then you can ensure the resources of police investigations are used as you wish.

Kerry Washington, Elisabeth Moss, and Kate Mara star

This is the story of three women – portrayed by Kerry Washington, Elisabeth Moss, and Kate Mara – who have been friends since they were young adults. Obviously, there are also some key men in their lives. Particularly, the men portrayed by Joel Kinnaman, Leslie Odom Jr., and Corey Stoll.

Well, among many other characters, but these three are key from the very beginning.

Joel Kinnaman plays the husband of Kate Mara’s character, but has always had a connection with Kerry Washington’s character. And Leslie Odom Jr. is amazing as the brother of Kerry Washington’s character. Finally, Corey Stoll plays his role as the husband of Elisabeth Moss’ character in a very laid-back way. All three actors deliver some interesting portrayals.

Also, Joel Kinnaman, who has never been shy about undressing, is definitely used as eye candy in Imperfect Women. He gets to undress quite a lot and is often the focus of the more steamy scenes in the show. As already mentioned, I feel there were way too many of those scenes. To me, this shows a very specific target demographic.

And no, it isn’t those looking for a murder mystery thriller. At least not as much as I had expected.

Watch the Imperfect Women series on Apple TV

Admittedly, I really wanted to like this series. I like the stars and the idea that it focuses on decade-long friendships between women, who lead very different lives. Well, somewhat different. I love that it stars and is executive-produced by Emmy Award-winners Kerry Washington and Elisabeth Moss, whom I expect good things from. I found only the latter delivered what I expected.

But hey, my expectations are on me. Also, Kate Mara was great, as was Joel Kinnaman (in a very annoying way, as he plays quite the creep at times). Also, I want to mention Corey Stoll, Leslie Odom Jr., and Ana Ortiz. The latter deserves recognition as a police detective working the murder case.

While based on the novel by Araminta Hall, this Apple TV series was created for television by Annie Weisman. She also serves as showrunner, and you may be familiar with Annie Weisman’s previous creation, Physical (also on Apple TV), which I liked better. It’s a dark comedy starring Rose Byrne, so it’s something very different, but it was more entertaining to me.

Directors of the eight episodes in the series are Lesli Linka Glatter (Love & Death), Nzingha Stewart (The ‘Burbs), Daina Reid (Shining Girls), and Jet Wilkinson (First Kill). I cannot falter the quality or style of the series. I just did not care much for the overall storyline and choices to have so many steamy scenes take up screen time.

Imperfect Women will make its global debut on Apple TV on March 18, 2026. Imperfect Women will premiere with its first two episodes, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through April 29, 2026, where the final episode is released.

Details

Creator: Annie Weisman
Writer: Annie Weisman
Directors: Lesli Linka Glatter, Nzingha Stewart, Daina Reid, Jet Wilkinson
Cast: Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington, Kate Mara, Joel Kinnaman, Corey Stoll, Leslie Odom Jr.