Kerry Washington and Elisabeth Moss will star in a limited series adaptation of the Araminta Hall novel “Imperfect Women” at Apple TV+, PvNew has learned.
Annie Weisman will adapt the book for the screen. Weisman previously created the Apple dramedy series “Physical” starring Rose Byrne, which aired for three seasons at the streamer.
“Imperfect Women” is described as an “unconventional, psychological thriller examining a crime that shatters the lives of a decades-long friendship of three women. ‘Imperfect Women’ is a mystery complicated by perspective that explores guilt and retribution, love and betrayal, and the compromises we make that alter our lives irrevocably. As the investigation unravels, so does the truth about how even the closest relationships can change over time.”
“From the moment I received Araminta’s novel, I couldn’t put it down,” said Moss. “It was such an electrifying read; I fell in love with it immediately. I’ve admired Kerry and her work as an actor and producer for many years and have been looking for something to work with her on and was so thrilled that she responded to the material when we sent it to her and Pilar at Simpson Street. They were the first and only people we thought of. We are so happy that Apple and 20th Television agreed to partner with us on this, as well. It’s all an absolute match made in heaven.”
Weisman will executive produce the series in addition to writing. Moss executive produces along with Lindsey McManus via Love & Squalor Pictures, which initially optioned the book. Washington and Pilar Savone executive produce for Simpson Street. Hall will also executive produce. The series is produced by 20th Television and Apple Studios.
“I could not have been more thrilled to get this call from Elisabeth,” said Washington. “I have been an immense fan of hers – both as a brilliant actor and groundbreaking producer – for years. Elisabeth and Lindsey have impeccable taste, as evidenced by the way they have championed Araminta’s gripping novel, and I can’t think of a better person to bring this project to life on screen than the amazing Annie Weisman. ‘Imperfect Women’ is exactly the type of exciting, complex, raw storytelling we strive to create at Simpson Street. Pilar and I are tremendously inspired by the opportunity to team up with Love & Squalor Pictures, and we are thankful to everyone at Apple Studios and the team at 20th Television for believing in this project as much as we do.”
This will now be the second Apple TV+ series based on a novel in which Moss has starred and executive produced. She previously led the limited series “Shining Girls” at the streamer, based on the book of the same name by Lauren Beukes. Moss also currently stars in the hit Hulu series adaptation of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which is prepping its sixth and final season. She has won both a Golden Globe and an Emmy for her work on “The Handmaid’s Tale.” She received five Emmy nominations for her work on “Mad Men” and another for the series “Top of the Lake,” the latter of which also won her a Golden Globe.
“I’m honored that Apple is once again trusting me to help bring complex, layered female characters to the screen,” said Weisman. “Elisabeth, Kerry, and Araminta are the perfect collaborators to bring these ‘Imperfect Women’ to life.”
Washington is best known for her starring role in the ABC-Shondaland drama “Scandal,” which ran for seven seasons. The show earned her two of her nine Emmy nominations to date. The others were for her work in the HBO movie “/confirm/iation,” the ABC “Live in Front of a Studio Audience” specials, the Netflix movie “American Son,” and for the Hulu limited series “Little Fires Everywhere.” Washington also currently stars in and executive produces the onyx Collective series “Unprisoned.”
“I couldn’t be happier that my book has found a home at Apple, home of some of my favourite programmes,’ said Hall. “And, to be working with Elisabeth and Lindsey is a dream. They have an incredible talent for story telling and immediately understood my book in an exactly the way I meant it to be read. And then to have Kerry Washington on board is like a bonus on top of a bonus. My book couldn’t be in better hands.”
Moss is repped by WME, Ocean Avenue, Ribisi Entertainment Group, Independent Talent Group in the UK, and Hansen Jacobson. Washington is repped by CAA, Washington Square Films, The Lede Company and Gretchen Rush. Weisman is repped by WME and Gendler, Kelly & Cunningham. Hall is repped by David Higham Associates, WME, and Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.
