Kerry Washington Calls for Fans to Move Beyond Scandal in New Thriller
Olivia Pope remains one of television's most iconic characters, with her famous phrase 'It's handled' echoing in the minds of viewers long after Scandal ended. Inspired by her tenacity, fans eagerly anticipate Kerry Washington's latest project, Imperfect Women, where she stars and serves as an executive producer. The excitement skyrocketed upon learning that Washington shares the screen with Elisabeth Moss from The Handmaid's Tale and Kate Mara from House of Cards, creating what many are calling the ultimate TV crossover event.
A Dream Team Collaboration
In a recent interview with Metro, the trio discussed their collaboration. Elisabeth Moss, also an executive producer, revealed her vision: 'I wanted to bring together that dream team. The idea of getting Kerry and Kate, three number ones from their own incredible shows, was my dream for the audience. I wanted that fun.' Kerry Washington emphasized the challenge of making viewers forget their past roles: 'As iconic as all of these characters are, we worked hard so that when people enter this world, all they're thinking about are these women and their friendships, not those other characters.'
Plot and Themes of Imperfect Women
Imperfect Women follows three college friends—Eleanor, a charity boss; Mary, a housewife; and Nancy, a socialite—whose lives unravel when one is killed under suspicious circumstances. The eight-part series delves into secrets and betrayals as detectives investigate, shifting between past and present to explore each woman's perspective. The show poses a critical question: why are women judged more harshly than men for their mistakes? Washington noted, 'When you see the words imperfect women, you think there's something wrong, but you realize they're just human beings. We put pressure on people to pretend to be something other than who they are.'
Adaptation and Creative Process
Based on Araminta Hall's novel, the series adapts the story from an English setting at Oxford University to a new context. Moss highlighted the narrative structure: 'I fell in love with the book's format, where you switch between characters' stories. It's fascinating and challenging, and we preserved that for the show.' The actresses expressed mutual admiration, with Washington sharing, 'There's so much respect here. Every day, I wanted to live up to the talent these two women bring.' Moss, who filmed after giving birth in 2024, added, 'As a new mum, I soaked up advice from Kerry and Kate, who are wise and intelligent both at work and home.'
Streaming Details and Impact
Imperfect Women is available on Apple TV, with new episodes released weekly. The series promises to captivate audiences with its complex characters and exploration of societal double standards, urging viewers to let go of past iconic roles and immerse themselves in this thrilling new world.
