I wasn’t really sure what to make of Imperfect Women at first. I knew it was adapted from a novel, but then again, that doesn’t mean much nowadays. It seems like every novel is getting adapted because a screenwriter can always change the aspects they don’t like. For example, the original novel takes place in England. This series takes place in California. So the change of location is already central to what was considered necessary to make the series work. Then again, if it had stayed in England, we probably wouldn’t have Kerry Washington, Elisabeth Moss, and Corey Stoll, all of whom deliver performances that are at the very least worthy of Emmy consideration.

The series follows three longtime friends, played by Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington, and Kate Mara. In the first episode, it’s revealed that Mara’s character has been murdered, and it’s up to her friends to figure out who did it, assuming it wasn’t one of them. There are plenty of suspects throughout the season, especially once you accept the possibility that either friend could be hiding something much darker than they’re willing to admit. The show throws around plenty of red herrings. Early on, attention is directed toward an artist who painted Kate Mara’s character and is rumored to have been having an affair with her. But twisty television thrillers rarely reveal their hand that quickly. They prefer to move the chess pieces around the board before finally making their move. Imperfect Women understands that game well. Everyone seems uncomfortable. Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone has secrets. But does that make them a killer?

Kate Mara’s husband, played by Joel Kinnaman, quickly becomes a prime suspect. The series spends a surprising amount of time exploring his relationship with generational wealth, as his wealthy father casts a long shadow over his life. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure what he actually does for a living beyond seemingly traveling around and doing something connected to the family business. What is clear is that he’s burdened by privilege rather than empowered by it.He and Mara’s daughter are present throughout the story, although the daughter often feels more like a storytelling device than a fully developed character. That’s one of the weaker aspects of the series. Given that she lost her mother, there was certainly room to explore her perspective in greater depth. In fact, it is possible that based just on screentime, the actress playing Mara’s daughter (Audrey Zahn, Steve Zahn’s daughter) has less screentime than the oldest son for Moss’s character (Jackson Kelly). I probably would have increased Zahn’s screentime.

By contrast, Corey Stoll’s character receives plenty of attention. Playing Elisabeth Moss’s husband, he’s a master of manipulation and mind games. Moss’s character initially comes across as almost Leave It to Beaver-level wholesome, but the deeper the series digs into their marriage, the more complicated things become. She was once his teaching assistant and played a role in ending his first marriage. As more details emerge, the relationship becomes increasingly fascinating.

Kerry Washington spends much of the series pursuing answers on her own, but she also reveals that she’s harbored feelings for her best friend’s husband, the one played by Joel Kinnaman, for years. With her friend gone, there are suddenly fewer obstacles standing in her way. Of course, pursuing that relationship in the middle of a murder investigation is probably not the best life choice.

But that’s really the point of Imperfect Women. These characters aren’t perfect. They’re selfish. They’re impulsive. They make questionable decisions. Yet being flawed doesn’t automatically make someone a murderer. It simply makes them human. Or, as the title repeatedly reminds us, imperfect.

What I loved most is that Kerry Washington feels completely in control here. The performance reminded me of Olivia Pope from Scandal, and she arguably drives the narrative more than any other character. She gets several standout moments throughout the series, particularly in the finale when she finally confronts her estranged mother.

Elisabeth Moss is excellent as always. At this point, it’s almost taken for granted that she’ll deliver. The series puts her character through an emotional gauntlet, and she handles every challenge effortlessly.

I was also incredibly impressed by Corey Stoll’s performance. He spends much of the series acting like a complete ass, but in the best possible way. He’s pompous, condescending, controlling, and endlessly frustrating, yet every choice works perfectly for the character.

Joel Kinnaman is solid, but he often gets relegated to being the grieving husband rather than being given opportunities to fully expand the character. There are flashes of something deeper there, but the series doesn’t always take advantage of them.

The supporting cast includes familiar faces like Leslie Odom Jr. and Wilson Bethel, though neither leaves much of a lasting impression. Kate Mara has some excellent moments in flashback sequences, but her screen time is understandably limited compared to Washington and Moss. If awards season comes around, it’s easy to imagine Washington and Moss being campaigned in Lead Actress categories, while Mara would almost certainly land in Supporting.

This is also a series that feels tailor-made for Emmy attention. The performances are strong, the material is prestige friendly, and the mystery keeps audiences engaged without relying on cheap tricks. Not every subplot works, and a few characters could have used more development, but the central mystery is compelling enough to carry the season from beginning to end.

Imperfect Women isn’t really about solving a murder. It’s about what happens when the image people project to the world collides with the truth of who they are behind closed doors. The murder is simply the spark that forces all of those secrets into the open. By the time the truth is revealed, the mystery itself almost becomes secondary to the emotional damage left behind.

Apple provided some lovely audio description, I believe through PixelLogic with Darren Polish narrating. The details of the case are important, but in a mystery like this, all the choices support the whodunit formula, so every little thing matters. Every look, every raised eyebrow, or taunting smirk. It all plays.

Imperfect Women did exactly what it needed to do, by building a carefully constructed house of cards on the bed of a murder mystery, and the series got more interesting as things got more messy, or imperfect. Terrific performances to be remembered, Imperfect Women is a stunning sleeper from Apple, and yet another reason to subscribe.

Fresh: 8.5/10