Elisabeth Moss returns to TV in ‘Imperfect Women’—a gripping, bold role that may redefine her career. Here’s why fans and critics are buzzing.
A New Chapter for Elisabeth Moss
The evolution of Elisabeth rise to television stardom has worked through a plethora of bold performances and endeavors across an impressive amount of shows–Mad Men, The Handmaid’s Tale, Shining Girls, and The Veil. Moss enters what might be her most ambitious project yet: Imperfect Women, a psychological thriller series coming to Apple TV, which she also executive produced alongside Kerry Washington.
The Story Behind the Series
Adapted from Araminta Hall’s successful novel, Imperfect Women follows the tragic murder of Nancy Hennessy, as well as Nancy’s two closest friends—Mary and Eleanor’s—changing relationship and the aftermath of receiving the news that their friend has been murdered. The story starts from an isolating dynamic of three best friends as they begin to spiral into a grand tale of friendship with grief, guilt, deception, and the realization of how we imperfectly know even our closest friends, and ourselves.
Moss and Washington: A Powerhouse Duo
Moss, who co-founded Love & Squalor Pictures, had already acquired and optioned Hall’s novel well in advance of the series’ development, establishing her own personal investment into the material.
Kerry Washington—an Emmy winner and prime actor-producer in her own right—is collaborating with her production banner Simpson Street. They share a love of multifaceted female-driven storytelling
The adaptation is “a great palate-cleanser after Handmaid’s Tale—it’s super different, fun, sexy”, according to Moss, talking about the tonal shift from her earlier career-defining dystopian to her move to sound verging on comedic drama
Stellar Cast and Creative Team
The casting has Elizabeth Moss and Kerry Washington in the lead roles, with Kate Mara as Nancy—a murder victim whose life and secrets drive the murder mystery plot
Joel Kinnaman is playing Robert, a human rights lawyer whose questionable grief covers up secret entanglements that may/may not ruin Mary and Eleanor’s friendship.
Corey Stoll completes the lead cast as Howard and pours what he can into the complex milieu
They have award-winning pilot director Lesli Linka Glatter directing the pilot, and executive producing with co-writer Kay Oyegun, guiding the show down its path of suspenseful emotion, serious drama
Annie Weisman—of Physical fame—adapted the show, furthers Apple TV+’s collection of high-end female-driven storytelling.
Production Status & Behind the Scenes
Production officially began in Los Angeles in May 2025, with support from California’s Film Commission, which awarded the series tax credits as part of its focus on nurturing state-based production jobs and growing the California economy .
The series is a collaboration between Apple Studios and 20th Television, combining creative dreams with hefty production resources
Why Imperfect Women is Moss’s Boldest Project to Date
1. From Dystopian Storytelling to Domestic Thriller
After nine years as June Osborne—a role that redefined Moss’ career, broke across cultural conversation—Imperfect Women signifies a return to storytelling of intimacy. Moss herself calls it an important tonal shift from The Handmaid’s Tale: “fun, sexy and a thriller.”
2. Female Creative Leadership
Moss and Washington are not only executive producing, but they are guiding the project to completion, a bold acknowledgment of women’s leadership in the industry. With Annie Weisman writing and Lesli Linka Glatter directing the pilot, this series has been conceived at nearly every level of production by accomplished women creators.
3. Psychological Layers, Emotional Stakes
This story moves away from procedural tropes to be a character driven exploration of friendship, secrets, and morality.
Elisabeth Moss: From the Queen of Peak TV to Crossing Genres
Moss has been given the title as the “Queen of Peak TV” by critics for her performances in Mad Men, The Handmaid’s Tale, Top of the Lake, etc.
. She has also branched into directing and producing while directing many episodes of Handmaid’s Tale’s more recent seasons, including the last season, while also balancing motherhood, and executive producing.
The emotional weight of the conclusion of Handmaid’s Tale is culturally significant, Moss and the creators presented a finale true to Margaret Atwood’s sequel, The Testaments even though it strayed from audience expectation. Moss has defended this as true to the story, and to June’s arc
What We Know—and What We Are Waiting For
Release Date: To be announced. Considering production started after mid‑2025, it will likely be early2026.
Length & Format: Supposedly a limited series; most likely, 6–8 episodes, which is consistent with Apple TV+’s original drama form.
Tone: Moss explained the tone as a switch from the dystopian seriousness-like trailer to stylish psychological suspense—layered with emotional weight and moral ambiguity.
Themes: Friendship under scandal, memory, betrayal, identity, and the faults of intimacy.
Final Thoughts: Moss’s Bold Leap into Nuance
If The Handmaid’s Tale unquestionably established Moss as the face of futuristic dystopia, Imperfect Women seeks to lock in her place in psychological realism. Fantastic at offering roles that demonstrate subtle moral reckoning and inner complexity, this series could be the most bold undertaking yet—for reasons besides genre, this new show will throw Moss into the depths of emotional vulnerability and moral nuance.
For audiences looking to see Moss showcase her range beyond an authoritarian allegory and into intimate suspense, it looks promising. And as Apple TV+ continues to develop its prestige slate, the plan for Imperfect Women could establish another marker of sophisticated character driven streaming drama.
FAQs
What is Imperfect Women about?
Imperfect Women is a psychological thriller series based on Araminta Hall’s novel of the same name. The series revolves around three lifelong friends—Mary, Eleanor, and Nancy—whose close friendship is disrupted when Nancy is discovered murdered. As the investigation unfolds, dark secrets emerge, testing their friendship and revealing how little they truly know about each other.
Who does Moss play in Imperfect Women?
In Imperfect Women, Elisabeth plays Mary, one of Nancy’s best friends, who becomes embroiled in her friend’s death and truly obsessed with it. Moss is also an executive producer of the series.
Is Imperfect Women based on a true story?
No. Imperfect Women is fictional. It is based on Araminta Hall’s best-selling novel which explores the themes of female friendship, betrayal, and the complexity of women.
Where can I watch Imperfect Women?
Imperfect Women will be only available on Apple TV+. You will need a subscription to access the content.
When will Imperfect Women be released?
Currently, Apple TV+ hasn’t announced the release date. When filming began in mid-2025, the series is expected to come out sometime in early 2026.
Who else is in Imperfect Women?
Imperfect Women is star-studded and will also feature:
Kerry Washington as Eleanor (also an executive producer)
Kate Mara as Nancy Hennessy, deceased.
Joel Kinnaman as Robert, Nancy’s husband.
Corey Stoll as Howard, a big player in the unfolding drama about to ensue.