Kerry Washington Pursues Complex Female Roles While Prioritizing Creative Control

Kerry Washington, star and executive producer of Apple TV's psychological thriller 'Imperfect Women,' is strategically selecting projects that offer nuanced female characters and creative agency. In a challenging entertainment landscape, Washington emphasized the importance of securing "dream projects" and working with trusted collaborators who enable her artistic growth. The series, based on Araminta Hall's source material, features Washington alongside Elisabeth Moss and allows both actors to explore multifaceted character perspectives across eight episodes.

Washington values producer credits not merely for status but for tangible creative influence. She explained that producing roles grant her a voice in every stage of filmmaking—from department head hiring and casting decisions to editing, writing notes, and marketing strategy. While she occasionally accepts acting-only roles, Washington noted these must involve directors she deeply respects, such as Rian Johnson on 'Knives Out' or Ben Affleck on the upcoming film 'Animals,' where she trusts them to be true collaborators and from whom she can learn.

On 'Imperfect Women,' Washington and Moss operate as "communal partners" rather than hierarchical leaders, with their production companies—Simpson Street and Love & Squalor—jointly driving the project. Washington was drawn to Hall's narrative framework, which shifts perspective between characters, allowing audiences to understand the story through multiple viewpoints. This structural approach resonates with her current worldview, reminding viewers of the importance of standing in others' shoes to grasp the full picture. Washington highlighted how her character, Eleanor, undergoes significant transformation throughout the series, with her self-perception evolving differently depending on whose episode is being depicted, requiring Washington to approach each episode with distinct interpretative strategies.