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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.
This character guide is part of our ongoing Imperfect Women coverage, which includes recaps, reviews, and episode breakdowns.
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Character(s) Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 1
For full context, see our recap and review of 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
Nancy (Kate Mara) – Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 2 
Teen Nancy (Maggie Weible) in Imperfect Women Season 1 Episode 4 © AppleTV+
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Davide is an artist with whom Nancy was allegedly having an affair, and is accused of being her killer.
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Marcus is Mary’s eldest, who is on probation and has a gambling addiction.
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Character(s) Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 2
For full context, see our recap and review of Season 1, Episode 2
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.
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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
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
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Character(s) Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 4
For full context, see our recap and review of Season 1, Episode 4
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
- Birthday (S1E8): 3/6/1968
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
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
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Character Summary
David was a bartender at one of Nancy’s New Year’s Day parties, who was from a similar background to hers.
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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
Character Summary
Harlan is the Hennessey family’s money manager.
Character Details
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Character(s) Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 6
For full context, see our recap and review of Season 1, Episode 6
Character Summary
Jenny is Howard’s first wife, with whom he didn’t have any kids, and Jenny was also Mary’s mentor. From the way Howard put it, Jenny was mentally unstable, and he left her to be with Mary. Jenny, however, has a different take on the dissolution of the marriage.
Character Details
- Length of Marriage to Howard (S1E8): 8 years
Character(s) Introduced in Season 1/ Episode 8
For full context, see our recap and review of Season 1, Episode 8
Character Summary
Constance is Eleanor’s mother, with whom she has a tense relationship. Mainly due to her feeling like Constance is never on her side, but it might just be that, like Eleanor’s brother, Constance isn’t for enabling Eleanor and holds her accountable.
Character Details
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