This article contains spoilers for Imperfect Women Episodes 1 and 2.
Imperfect Women debuts on Apple TV on March 18 with two episodes. New episodes follow weekly through April 29. Adapted from Araminta Hall’s novel and created for television by Annie Weisman, the series delivers a messy but emotionally charged drama that highlights the imperfections of its women. If you miss Big Little Lies or enjoy stories where women’s lives intertwine around a dangerous secret, Imperfect Women fills that space perfectly.
The series centres on three lifelong friends whose bond fractures before and after a shocking tragedy. Eleanor (Kerry Washington), Mary (Elisabeth Moss), and Nancy (Kate Mara) have shared a friendship since college, building a kinship they intended to last a lifetime. That intention, however, unravels almost immediately. Nancy is found dead in the first episode, and the ripple effects spread quickly through everyone connected to her.
Episode One: “Eleanor”
Imperfect Women wastes no time drawing viewers into its web of intrigue. The premiere opens with authorities taking Eleanor in for questioning after they recover Nancy’s body. Through Eleanor’s voiceover, we learn that she, Nancy, and Mary share a bond rooted in decades of friendship. They were supposed to grow old together. Instead, the episode makes it clear that this bond, while deep, is fraught with complications and long-held secrets.
As the narrative shifts to 11 hours before Nancy’s death, the tension sharpens. Nancy’s constant messages to Eleanor throughout the day signal something is wrong, even as the trio reunite to celebrate Mary’s birthday. When Mary steps away, Nancy admits she has not ended an ongoing affair and is determined to keep it from her, fearing the fallout.
Eleanor’s response is characteristically direct. She challenges Mary’s perception of the situation, insisting it is clearly making her miserable rather than liberating her. It must end, for Nancy’s sake.
That evening soon becomes more complicated. When Nancy’s husband, Robert (Joel Kinnaman), contacts Eleanor looking for her, the series’ sense of urgency escalates. Nancy has not come home, and Eleanor’s attempts to reach her go unanswered. At the same time, she is forced into an increasingly uncomfortable position, managing Robert’s growing concern while navigating what she knows about Nancy’s situation. The introduction of the name David adds another layer to the mystery, though it raises more questions than answers.
The police soon arrive, confirming that a body believed to be Nancy’s has been found. From there, “Eleanor” settles into the aftermath as the titular character attempts to piece together what happened. Washington delivers a standout performance, balancing composure with something more guarded beneath the surface. Eleanor remains composed, even under pressure, but there are indications that she is carefully managing what she reveals. Her interactions with the police underline this tension. She provides enough information to remain cooperative, yet it is clear they expect her to know more than she is sharing.
Once released, Eleanor delivers the news to Mary. Mary immediately questions both the circumstances of Nancy’s death and the secrecy surrounding her recent actions. The revelation of the affair only deepens that tension, particularly as Mary grapples with the fact that she was deliberately kept in the dark.
There is no suspect in custody, and the details surrounding Nancy’s final hours remain unclear. The lack of answers allows the episode to shift its focus onto those left behind, particularly Nancy’s daughter, Cora (Audrey Zahn). Her reluctance to be alone with her father introduces further unease, which the series explores in later episodes. Robert’s grief is equally complex. While he presents as a husband determined to find answers, bouts of anger feel unpredictable.
The introduction of Davide Haji Boyette (Theo Bongani Ndyalvane) as a person of interest initially suggests a breakthrough. However, the lack of concrete evidence reinforces the idea that the truth is unlikely to be straightforward.
By the end of “Eleanor”, Imperfect Women establishes a compelling foundation. What unfolds is less a straightforward whodunnit and more an exploration of friendship, loyalty, and the secrets people keep from even those closest to them.
Episode Two: “Crush”
“Crush” is a Washington showcase. The episode reveals that Eleanor met Robert at 18 and has carried a complicated attachment to him ever since, even though he chose Nancy. The dynamic hangs over her choices across the season, particularly in these early episodes, creating a tension that never quite dissipates. It becomes one of the show’s most frustrating dynamics, though there is a certain enjoyment in wanting to shout at the screen over their decisions.
In the present, a photograph of Nancy and Davide begins to circulate. Both Robert and Eleanor struggle to reconcile the image with the woman they thought they knew.
Mary, meanwhile, fixates on the details that others fail to question. She obtains Davide’s police report and highlights inconsistencies surrounding his arrest. Police arrested him for robbery, not murder, despite the media eagerly linking him to Nancy’s death. When Eleanor warns that she may be overexerting herself, Mary pushes back and refuses to let anyone label her as fragile.
Detective Ganz (Ana Ortiz) approaches Eleanor and presents the photograph. She fixates on how relaxed Nancy appears and questions what a Pasadena socialite was doing in that environment. Her questioning extends to Nancy’s past and her friendship with Eleanor. When Eleanor asks whether her friendship is under investigation or whether the robbery charge holds any weight, it becomes clear that if there were a case against Davide, these questions would not be asked.
Elsewhere, Eleanor realises that Winston (Kschris Anda), who works for her brother, Donovan (Leslie Odom Jr.), is following her. Odom Jr. brings an entertaining presence, and Donovan’s blunt honesty provides a welcome perspective on Eleanor’s choices. He argues that she gravitates towards complicated men and introduces a more cynical view of the case, suggesting Robert’s family may have used their influence to have Davide arrested. Eleanor remains adamant that Robert is not responsible, maintaining that he knew nothing at the time. That suspicion gains traction as the episode progresses. After Davide’s release, it becomes harder to ignore that influence rather than evidence has shaped the investigation.
Mary’s determination ultimately leads her and Eleanor to Davide. The encounter complicates matters further. Nancy had approached him about his work, asking him to paint her scars. Davide dismisses the assumptions being made about him and offers an assessment of Nancy’s state of mind, suggesting she was struggling more than those around her recognised.
Final Thoughts
Imperfect Women is a promising addition to Apple TV’s slate. Few actors command the screen quite like Kerry Washington, though Elisabeth Moss and Leslie Odom Jr. prove equally compelling alongside her. With six episodes left, there is plenty to question, debate, and dissect as the series steadily builds tension thanks to sharp scripts and strong performances. Two episodes in, Imperfect Women stands as one of the more engrossing dramas in recent memory. It more than keeps this up.
