Kerry Washington, known for her iconic portrayal of Olivia Pope in the hit TV series Scandal, has been a trailblazer in the entertainment industry. As the first Black woman to lead a TV show in nearly 40 years, she has paved the way for more diverse representation in Hollywood. Now, she's back with a new project, Imperfect Women, a starry thriller that explores the complexities of female friendship and the pressures of conforming to societal expectations.
Washington's latest role is a testament to her dedication to playing complex, multi-dimensional women. In Imperfect Women, she stars alongside Elisabeth Moss and Kate Mara as three old college friends navigating the challenges of adulthood. The show has drawn comparisons to other prestige dramas like Big Little Lies and The White Lotus, but Washington believes that Imperfect Women brings a unique perspective to the table. As she notes, "In the world we live in, there is so much pressure for women to look a certain way, behave a certain way, to please, to conform, so when we break the rules, when we get messy, it's riveting."
Imperfect Women has already generated buzz for its portrayal of flawed, relatable female characters. Washington's character, Eleanor, is a philanthropist from a wealthy family, while Mara's character, Nancy, is a woman from humble beginnings who has married into high society. Moss's character, Mary, is a stay-at-home writer and mom with a professor husband. The show's exploration of their relationships and the secrets they keep is both captivating and thought-provoking. As Washington explains, "When something goes viral, it's so overwhelming," highlighting the fear of losing control and the pressure of being constantly observed.
Breaking Down Barriers
Washington has been at the forefront of creating more opportunities for women in Hollywood, particularly women of color. As an executive producer on Imperfect Women, she has used her platform to promote diversity and inclusion. She believes that the increase in complex female roles is a result of women taking matters into their own hands and becoming producers themselves. "We're not sitting at home waiting to be invited to the party. We're throwing our own parties and our parties centre us," she says.
However, Washington acknowledges that there is still much work to be done. She notes that the industry has become more inclusive, but there is also a backlash against diversity and equity initiatives. "A little, but there's also tremendous backlash. There's a denial of DEI and reversal of policy, so though I think it had gotten better, there's a lot of pulling in and retreating from inclusivity," she explains.
Washington's own experiences have informed her approach to creating more diverse and inclusive storytelling. She recalls that the character of Olivia Pope was initially based on a real-life Black woman, Judy Smith, and that this was a key factor in the network's decision to keep the character as a Black woman. However, she believes that the industry has made some progress since then, even if there is still a long way to go.
Centring Marginalized Voices
Washington has been vocal about the need to centre marginalized voices in storytelling. She believes that this is not a political act, but rather a creative one. "To say to artists of colour that centring ourselves is an inherent political act as opposed to a creative one feels unfair," she says. Instead, she sees it as a way to honour her own humanity and tell stories that reflect her experiences.
Washington has also been involved in party politics, campaigning for the Democrats and encouraging voter registration. She believes that everything is political, including the stories we tell and the characters we centre. "When we centre white characters, that's also political from my point of view. Encouraging empathy and compassion – which I think the show does – is political. I just don't think the burden should be put only on women or artists of colour who do that. Everyone who's telling a good story is doing that political act," she explains.
The Power of Emotions
Washington is known for her expressive acting style, which has been immortalized in various reaction GIFs and memes. She believes that emotions are essential to her job as an actor and that expressing feelings is important, especially in an age where women are often encouraged to suppress their emotions. "Feelings are good. I like having feelings. I mean, I am not afraid of a dermatologist, I love a laser and I think being proactive about ageing gracefully is a beautiful thing. But I also know my job is to have feelings," she says.
Imperfect Women is now available on Apple TV, offering a fresh perspective on female friendship and the complexities of adult relationships. With its talented cast and thought-provoking storytelling, it's a must-watch for anyone interested in exploring the human experience. As Washington notes, "It's an exercise in empathy and sympathy – and a service" to centre marginalized voices and tell stories that reflect the diversity of human experience.
