Imperfect Women: Cast & Character Guide

A character guide for Apple TV+’s “Imperfect Women” featuring who plays who, details about each character, and the show as a whole.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted on Hours Updated on

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

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World Overview

Imperfect Women is set in the world of the affluent in the Los Angeles/Pasadena area, focused on a small group of friends who have known each other for around 25 years. But, despite the length of their relationship with one another, the ladies have secrets. The kind that only start becoming known amongst each other when one of them is murdered.

As the story expands, it introduces locations, systems, groups, and concepts that influence both the narrative and the characters’ decisions. Below is an overview of the world-building elements that shape the series.

  • Ojai House (1.2): Robert and Nancy’s second home, where her things are moved to so Cora has access to them, but Robert doesn’t have to see them daily.
  • Arroyo Seco Park (1.1): The park Nancy’s body was found, specifically near the Colorado Street bridge

  • International Rescue and Relief (1.1): Eleanor’s organization, which, in episode 2, we’re told is primarily financed by her family’s money
  • When Was It Founded (1.3): 2012
  • Hedgerow Capital (1.1): A business that Robert’s father founded, which highly contributes to the family’s wealth

  • Eleanor’s car, necklace, and Fishing Rod (1.2): These are mementos from her dad

  • Ariadne (1.5): The production Nancy, Paul, and Howard are working on

  • Who Met Who First (1.2): Eleanor actually met Robert first, but didn’t express her intention, even when Nancy checked in to make sure she didn’t have any feelings for him.
  • When Did The Friend Group Form (1.1): In college, specifically at a party (per episode 4)
  • Nancy’s Death (1.1): Due to a blow to the back of the head
  • When Was Her Death (1.3): April 9th

This character guide is part of our ongoing Imperfect Women coverage, which includes recaps, reviews, and episode breakdowns.

Character(s) Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 1

For full context, see our recap and review of Season 1, Episode 1

Eleanor (Kerry Washington) – Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 1

Character Summary

Eleanor is the head of International Rescue and Relief, a major LA-area-based business doing humanitarian work. But, like many similar to her, while she is killing it at work, her personal life? It’s a bit messy. Note, not dramatic. But, with an active roster her friends joke, and likely are jealous of, she has taken a less conventional path and, for the most part, seems satisfied – in more ways than one.

But, beyond her romantic relationships, there are her familial relationships. Of which, after the passing of her father, it could be surmised that her relationship with her mom and older brother isn’t close. Making her friendships something she, all the more, leans on.

Character Details

  • Quote (1.1): Have more than you show, say less than you know.
  • Socio-Economic Background (1.2): She comes from a rich family that is starting to build/establish generational wealth.
  • Where Is Eleanor From (1.4): Boston

Character Summary

Nancy is a housewife in her husband’s eyes, but she actually works via being on the boards of many foundations, doing philanthropic work. Specifically, she is on the boards of hospitals, museums, and a local theater, and she is also a known art collector.

Character Details

  • Socio-economic background (1.2): Nancy comes from a less affluent background than her friends. There is abuse, alcoholism, and being raised in a trailer park, which, based on Eleanor’s description, wasn’t some modern, glamorous version.
  • Where Is Nancy From (1.4): Bakersfield
  • Mary’s Relationship To Her (1.4): Nancy sees Mary as both the mother she never had and the mother she never figured out how to be
  • Career Prospects (1.4): For most of her life, she was training to be a ballet dancer, but her mom intentionally got them into a car accident, ending her career before it really got started
  • When Did She Start Dancing (1.5): When she was 9
  • Last Time In a Dance Studio (1.5): She says it has been 25 years
  • The Last Major Opportunity (1.5): When she was 16, she was recruited by the San Francisco ballet
  • Quote (1.4): Robert loved me so extravagantly in those days. In that powerful way you do at first. When there’s so much love between you it feels like it blurs every flaw and heals every wound. Even the oldest and deepest ones. — Nancy
  • Quote (1.4): […] it’s the right diagnosis, just the wrong medicine. — Nancy

Mary (Elisabeth Moss) – Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 1

Character Summary

While Mary focuses on supporting her three kids and her family, it is made clear early on that she is not to be underestimated. Despite seeming fragile, when she is passionate about something, she is something fierce, and her way with words often leaves an impression on her friends.

Character Details

  • Quote (1.1): Anger isn’t the opposite of love. Sometimes it’s the truest expression of it.
  • Name of Children (1.2): Marcus, Artemis, and Junie
  • Marriage Origin (1.3): Her marriage was born through an affair – it isn’t made 100% clear, however, who cheated on whom.

Robert (Joel Kinnaman) – Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 1

Character Summary

Robert is Nancy’s husband, the son of a hedge fund founder, and he is often seen in one of two ways: Cold and a bit emotionless, or notably angry. It all depends on which side of him he wants you to be exposed to.

Character Details

  • Where Did He Grow Up (1.1): Pasadena, California

Jordan (Rome Flynn) – Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 1

Character Summary

Jordan is a project manager at Eleanor’s company, and he is also one of her lovers. He clearly wants more than she is willing to give, which complicates their relationship.

Character Details

  • Length of Relationship With Eleanor (1.3): 6 months

Howard (Corey Stoll) – Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 2

Character Summary

Howard is Mary’s husband, who has strong opinions that Mary sometimes doesn’t agree with, but she picks and chooses her battles when it comes to him.

Character Details

  • Employment (1.2): Mary makes it appear that Howard is unemployed.
  • Possible Former Position (1.4): Howard was a professor with a focus on Greek Mythology, but his class load got repeatedly cut due to his not chasing trends with his subject matter
  • Upbringing (1.5): In conversation with Nancy, he notes he didn’t grow up with money, partly due to his father having MS.

Kit (Jill Wagner) – Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 1

Character Summary

Kit is Robert’s infamous sister, who, while Robert may often not display emotion, at least he makes an effort. Kit, on the other hand, is someone who represents the worst stereotypes of the rich and is callous, snarky, and says the type of things that make you want to witness karma finally collect what is overdue.

Character Details

  • Why Kit Doesn’t Like Nancy (1.4): Kit doesn’t like Nancy since she sees her as too transactional

Cora (Audrey Zahn) – Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 1

Character Summary

Cora is Nancy’s daughter and only child. Nancy made a notable effort to bond with Cora, but despite her efforts, Cora and Nancy didn’t have a close relationship, as Cora found her mom shallow or superficial. But with her mom now gone, she mourns the time they lost.

Character Details

  • Age (1.2): She is turning 17 soon

Davide (Theo Bongani Ndyalvane) in Imperfect Women: Season 1 Episode 2 © AppleTV+

Character Summary

Davide is an artist with whom Nancy was allegedly having an affair, and is accused of being her killer.

Character Details

Marcus (Jackson Kelly) – Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 1

Character Summary

Marcus is Mary’s eldest, who is on probation and has a gambling addiction.

Character Details

Character(s) Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 2

For full context, see our recap and review of Season 1, Episode 2

Donovan (Leslie Odom Jr.) listening to his sister chew him out in Imperfect Women: Season 1 Episode 2 © AppleTV+

Character Summary

Donovan is Eleanor’s older brother, who works with their mom in the family business, and is very protective of his little sister. Sometimes to the point of being overbearing.

Character Details

  • What’s Yours Is Mine (1.2): Donovan may have a history of using his sister’s work and adventures to attract women.
  • Ex-Wife (1.3): Her name is Amanda

Detective Bethany Ganz (Ana Ortiz) having a conversation with Eleanor and asking about Eleanor’s car in Imperfect Women: Season 1 Episode 2 © AppleTV+

Character Summary

Detective Ganz is the lead detective on Nancy’s murder case, who has an appreciation for nice cars and maybe some suppressed animosity towards those involved with the case.

Character Details

Character(s) Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 3

For full context, see our recap and review of Season 1, Episode 3

Zoe (Sherri Saum) – Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 3

Character Summary

Zoe is Eleanor’s right hand regarding running her non-profit, and while not friends like she is with Mary and Nancy, she is probably the closest non-sexual relationship she has, outside of those two.

Character Details

  • (SE)

Character(s) Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 4

For full context, see our recap and review of Season 1, Episode 4

Scott (Wilson Bethel) in Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 4 © AppleTV+

Character Summary

Scott is Nancy’s stepfather, Patty’s partner, who financed Nancy’s pursuit of dance when she was younger. Unfortunately, he sought intimacy with her in return, and Nancy got blamed for what happened throughout their relationship, rather than Scott for being a predator.

Character Details

  • (SE)

Phil Delavigne (Cheyenne Jackson) with Nancy in Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 4 © AppleTV+

Character Summary

Phil is the artistic director at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Ballet, who is known for choosing people’s names over remembering the ones on their birth certificates. But, despite this part of his personality, he is quite beloved.

Character Details

  • Next Production (S1E4): Ariadne

Patty (Jaclyn Hales) in Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 4 © AppleTV+

Character Summary

Patty is Nancy’s mom, who was an alcoholic, abusive, basically tried to kill her daughter, and from what it seems, she is part of why Nancy tries to be completely disconnected from who she once was and where she grew up. To the point, Cora knows nothing about her grandmother or her mother’s background.

Character Details

  • (SE)

David (Connor Duermit) in Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 4 © AppleTV+

Character Summary

David was a bartender at one of Nancy’s New Year’s Day parties, who was from a similar background to hers.

Character Details

  • (SE)

R.L. Hennessey (Keith Carradine) in Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 4 © AppleTV+

Character Summary

R.L. is not the one who developed the family wealth, as his family was rich due to oil at least two generations before him. However, he is the patriarch of the family currently and controls the distribution of not only wealth and assets, but also opportunities.

Character Details

  • Family Wealth (S1E4): Came from his grandfather’s oil friends and orange groves

Harlan (Yanis Kalnins) in Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 4 © AppleTV+

Character Summary

Harlan is the Hennessey family’s money manager.

Character Details

  • (SE)

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Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been reviewing media since 2010. He approaches each production with hope, rooting for every story to succeed, and believes criticism should come from unmet potential, while praise is reserved for work that meets or exceeds expectations.