Kerry Washington on Imperfect Women, ageing and expressive acting

Kerry Washington’s expressive face has become internet shorthand — reaction gifs and impressions capture the dramatic range viewers now expect from her. Her roles carry the same bite: Olivia Pope in Scandal made Washington a global sensation and marked the first time a Black woman led a network show in nearly 40 years.

Her latest project, Imperfect Women, adapts Araminta Hall’s novel for Apple TV, bringing Washington together with Elisabeth Moss and Kate Mara in a glossy murder mystery that centres female friendship, loyalty, secrets and rivalry. The story follows three old college friends — Eleanor, an award-winning philanthropist; Nancy, newly married into high society; and Mary, a stay-at-home writer — a “choose your fighter” of idealised womanhood until family secrets, trauma and the faultlines of class and race complicate everything.

kerry washington, imperfect women, araminta hall, apple tv, elisabeth moss, kate mara, olivia pope, scandal, murder mystery, female friendship