While original series like Pluribus, Severance, and Widow’s Bay have dominated the conversation for Apple TV, the prestige streamer has also found plenty of success with its book adaptations. Slow Horses, for instance, has grown into one of its most popular and acclaimed programs through six seasons, with a seventh already picked up. This year, the streak has continued with the Elle Fanning-led Margo’s Got Money Troubles as the standout, earning eight Emmy nominations and a second-season renewal to boot. Now, another series that’s been billed as the platform’s answer to HBO‘s Big Little Lies is coming back for another round too.
Despite initially being ordered as a limited series, Imperfect Women has been renewed for Season 2 on the back of a much-watched first season. This means the series will now go past the novel it’s based on by Araminta Hall and explore new ground with an original story by creator Annie Weisman and her co-showrunner Justin Hillia. Season 1 primarily followed the events of the book, as a murder shattered the lives of three lifelong friends and threatened to sever their tight-knit bond as more devastating truths were revealed. Mary (Elisabeth Moss) and Eleanor (Kerry Washington) were left to pick up the pieces after their friend Nancy’s (Kate Mara) death, but now that they’ve gotten closure, there are bound to be some changes.
Season 2 will see Eleanor take center stage as the series moves to Martha’s Vineyard. For her, it’ll be a return to her hometown roots and a chance to mingle in the affluent Black community there, until she realizes there’s something darker bubbling just beneath the surface. The entire past she thought she knew will be called into question as secrets and scandals come to light that change everything. The Emmy-winning Moss won’t be back, but she’ll still serve as an executive producer on this new chapter for her on-screen friend. In an official statement, Washington, who also executive produces, expressed her excitement to get back to work and expand on the complicated world Eleanor inhabits.
“We were thrilled to see how deeply these women and their stories resonated with audiences around the world, and I’m so excited to step back into Eleanor’s shoes. She’s intelligent and strong, but she also finds herself navigating complicated and sometimes messy situations. We at Simpson Street along with our incredible partners at Apple and Love & Squalor Pictures can’t wait to explore a fresh chapter for her and share where this story takes us next.”
Could Anyone Else From ‘Imperfect Women’ Return for Season 2?
At this time, nobody else is set to appear alongside Washington in Imperfect Women. The new setting is all but certain to feature an entirely overhauled cast around the Emmy-winning Scandal star, particularly with Moss not returning to the screen. The fact that Mary and Eleanor will be separated also likely rules out an appearance by Joel Kinnaman‘s Robert, last seen getting closer to Mary at the end of the final episode. Season 1 also starred Corey Stoll as Mary’s husband, but he’s certainly not returning after being stabbed to death during the final confrontation with the women. Apple TV‘s head of programming, Matt Cherniss, has confidence that the twisty mystery thriller can continue to thrive despite the changes, though, adding in a statement:
“After a wildly entertaining first season, driven by the performances of Kerry, Lizzie and Kate, we jumped at the opportunity to expand the world of ‘Imperfect Women’ through Kerry’s fan favorite character of Eleanor. Annie and Justin’s thrilling new story felt like an exciting and natural next chapter. We can’t wait for fans to experience it.”
Imperfect Women Season 1 is currently streaming on Apple TV.
via Collider