Apple TV's Imperfect Women promises psychological thrills and star power

Apple TV has unveiled the trailer for Imperfect Women, an upcoming psychological thriller series that promises to deliver the kind of gripping crime drama that has become increasingly popular on streaming platforms. The limited series, which premieres on Wednesday, March 18 with its first two episodes, brings together an impressive ensemble cast led by Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington, and Kate Mara.

The premise: A crime that shatters decades-long friendships

The show revolves around a shocking crime that disrupts the lives of three women bound by a decades-long friendship. As the investigation unfolds, viewers will explore themes of guilt, retribution, love, betrayal, and the compromises that irrevocably alter lives. The official plot summary describes it as an "unconventional thriller" that examines how even the closest friendships may not be what they seem.

This setup immediately evokes comparisons to HBO's Big Little Lies, another popular series based on a novel that explored the dark undercurrents beneath seemingly perfect relationships. Like Big Little Lies, Imperfect Women is adapted from a novel, though Apple TV's version is planned as a single-season limited series rather than an ongoing show.

Star-studded cast brings serious credentials

The cast list reads like a who's who of acclaimed television actors. Elisabeth Moss brings her extensive experience from The Handmaid's Tale and Mad Men, while Kerry Washington is known for Scandal and Little Fires Everywhere. Kate Mara adds her talents from House of Cards and A Teacher. The supporting cast includes Joel Kinnaman (The Killing, For All Mankind), Corey Stoll (Billions, House of Cards), and Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton, The Good Fight).

This level of talent suggests Apple TV is making a significant investment in the series, positioning it as one of their flagship original offerings for the year.

Apple TV's 2026 strategy: Balancing returns and new originals

Imperfect Women arrives at an interesting time for Apple TV+. So far in 2026, the platform has primarily focused on returning series, including the comedy Shrinking, thriller Hijack, and espionage series Tehran. The trend continues with upcoming sci-fi favorites returning for new seasons.

Among brand new originals, Imperfect Women stands out as one of the highest-profile series coming to the platform. This strategy of mixing proven returning shows with high-quality new content appears designed to maintain subscriber interest while expanding the platform's offerings.

Release schedule and viewing options

The series will follow a weekly release schedule, with the first two episodes dropping together on March 18, followed by subsequent episodes through April 29. This traditional weekly model contrasts with the binge-release approach some streaming services have adopted, potentially building anticipation and discussion around each episode.

Apple TV+ is available for $12.99 per month, though subscribers can access it at a discount through the Apple One bundle, which packages multiple Apple services together.

Why this matters for Apple TV+

For Apple TV+, Imperfect Women represents an opportunity to capture viewers who enjoy prestige psychological thrillers. The combination of a compelling premise, proven source material, and an all-star cast positions the series to potentially become one of Apple's breakout hits.

The show also demonstrates Apple's continued commitment to investing in high-quality original content across various genres. While Apple TV+ has found success with science fiction (Foundation, For All Mankind), comedy (Ted Lasso), and drama (The Morning Show), expanding into the psychological thriller space helps broaden the platform's appeal.

As streaming services compete for viewer attention, having a diverse content library becomes increasingly important. Imperfect Women could help Apple TV+ attract subscribers who might not be drawn to its existing offerings but are fans of the crime thriller genre.

Whether Imperfect Women will achieve the cultural impact of shows like Big Little Lies remains to be seen, but the ingredients are certainly there for a compelling viewing experience when it premieres next month.