The new Apple TV+ thriller series Imperfect Women arrived on March 18, 2026, bringing with it a carefully curated musical landscape that helps tell the story of three friends caught in a murder mystery. The eight-episode limited series stars Kerry Washington, Elisabeth Moss, and Kate Mara as women whose decades-long friendship shatters after one of them is killed.
Created by Annie Weisman (Physical) and based on the novel by Araminta Hall, the show uses music to enhance its suspenseful atmosphere and emotional moments. From the opening credits to key scenes throughout, the soundtrack plays a crucial role in setting the tone for this psychological thriller.
Who Composed the Music for Imperfect Women
Siddhartha Khosla composed the original score for the series. You might recognize his work from other popular shows—he is the same composer behind Only Murders in the Building, This Is Us, and the Hulu series Paradise. His background in creating music for mystery-driven stories makes him a perfect fit for Imperfect Women.
Khosla’s score blends tension with emotional depth, reflecting the complicated relationships between the three main characters. The music shifts as the series changes perspective, moving from Eleanor’s story to Nancy’s and finally to Mary’s across the eight episodes.
A soundtrack album featuring Khosla’s original score is scheduled for release on March 20, 2026.
Opening Credits Music and Visuals
The Imperfect Women opening titles feature a visual theme inspired by kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Liquid gold pours into the cracks of three porcelain women, symbolizing how the characters deal with their flaws and damage.
Khosla’s main title theme accompanies these visuals, establishing the show’s mood from the very first moments. The music combines delicate elements with underlying tension, preparing viewers for the mystery ahead.
The series opens with a reference to Leonard Cohen‘s song “Anthem,” which contains the lines: “There is a crack, a crack in everything, that is how the light gets in.” This theme of cracks and brokenness runs throughout the series, connecting directly to the kintsugi imagery.
Episode by Episode Music Guide
Eleanor’s Story in Episodes 1 Through 3
The series opens with Eleanor (Kerry Washington) being escorted by police down a long hallway. The swelling music builds tension as her voiceover explains the deep bond she shared with Nancy and Mary.
The first three episodes follow Eleanor’s point of view as she deals with the aftermath of Nancy’s murder and her complicated feelings for Nancy’s widower Robert, played by Joel Kinnaman. The music during these episodes reflects Eleanor’s controlled exterior slowly cracking under pressure.
Nancy’s Story in Episodes 4 and 5
Episodes four and five shift focus to Nancy (Kate Mara), exploring both her past and present. The music during these episodes reflects her background—Nancy comes from Bakersfield, which other characters treat with condescension throughout the series.
Keith Carradine appears as Nancy’s father-in-law, a legendary businessman, and the music in scenes featuring him carries a different tone than the sequences focused on the three women. The score during Nancy’s episodes incorporates warmer elements that contrast with the colder sound of Eleanor’s segments.
Mary’s Journey in Episodes 6 and 7
Episodes six and seven put Mary (Elisabeth Moss) at the center. Mary left a promising academic career to raise children with her husband Howard (Corey Stoll), and the family struggles financially compared to their wealthy friends.
The music during these episodes underscores Mary’s desperation and the custody issues she faces, showcasing Moss’s talent for portraying characters in emotional turmoil. The score becomes more urgent and intense during Mary’s most vulnerable moments.
The Finale in Episode 8
The concluding episode brings all three perspectives together, and Khosla’s score weaves musical themes from each woman’s chapters into a unified whole. The music builds toward the revelation of what really happened to Nancy.
Complete Song List From Imperfect Women
Beyond the original score, the series features carefully selected songs that appear throughout the episodes:
Leonard Cohen – “Anthem” (referenced in the opening, thematically connected throughout)
The series also includes classical pieces during scenes set in wealthy environments, though specific track listings for each episode have not been publicly released. Apple TV+ typically releases full song credits after seasons complete their run.
Where to Find the Imperfect Women Soundtrack
For viewers who want to listen to the music outside of watching the show, several options are available:
The original score album by Siddhartha Khosla releases on March 20, 2026. This album will contain the instrumental music created specifically for the series.
Apple Music and other streaming platforms typically carry soundtrack albums for Apple TV+ originals. You can search for “Imperfect Women soundtrack” or “Siddhartha Khosla Imperfect Women” once the album drops.
Some streaming services also create playlists featuring songs from popular shows. Check Apple Music for any official Imperfect Women playlist that might include both the score and any licensed songs used in episodes.
How the Music Enhances the Thriller Experience
The music in Imperfect Women does more than just fill the background. Siddhartha Khosla‘s experience with mystery series shows in how the score builds suspense during key moments while pulling back during emotional scenes.
The series changes perspective every few episodes, and the music shifts accordingly. Eleanor’s episodes have a different musical feel than Nancy’s or Mary’s, reflecting their distinct personalities and situations.
The opening credit sequence with the kintsugi imagery and music makes a strong statement about the themes of imperfection and repair. This attention to musical detail continues throughout all eight episodes.
Release Schedule for Imperfect Women
Imperfect Women premiered on Apple TV+ on March 18, 2026. The release follows a weekly pattern:
- March 18, 2026: First two episodes available
- March 25, 2026: Episode 3 releases
- April 1, 2026: Episode 4 releases
- April 8, 2026: Episode 5 releases
- April 15, 2026: Episode 6 releases
- April 22, 2026: Episode 7 releases
- April 29, 2026: Finale episode 8 releases
Viewers around the world can stream the series on Apple TV+. The service is available in over 100 countries and regions, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India. Apple TV+ costs $9.99 per month in the US, with similar pricing in other markets, and is accessible through the Apple TV app on various devices including smart TVs, streaming boxes, game consoles, and mobile devices.
What Critics Say About the Show’s Atmosphere
Early reviews of Imperfect Women mention the show’s polished, glossy look and the performances of its three lead actresses. Kerry Washington plays Eleanor as a confident woman whose certainty about everything proves misguided. Elisabeth Moss brings her trademark intensity to Mary, while Kate Mara handles the challenge of playing a character whose background sets her apart from her wealthy friends.
Leslie Odom Jr. appears as Eleanor’s brother Donovan, and reviewers note that his scenes add sparkle to the series. The music during his appearances reportedly lifts the mood compared to the darker sequences.
Daniel Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter points out that Imperfect Women arrives late in the genre’s lifecycle, making its familiar elements feel more obvious. However, he notes that the show’s glossy presentation and strong cast make it watchable.
The series has been described as “fine”—neither terrible nor exceptional—with the actors giving strong performances throughout. The music helps carry viewers through the eight-hour mystery, even when the plot follows familiar beats from other murder-among-the-wealthy thrillers.
Cast and Characters in Imperfect Women
The series features a strong ensemble cast:
- Kerry Washington as Eleanor, a confident woman whose understanding of her friends proves wrong
- Elisabeth Moss as Mary, a former academic struggling with financial pressures
- Kate Mara as Nancy, the friend whose murder sets the story in motion
- Joel Kinnaman as Robert, Nancy’s widower
- Corey Stoll as Howard, Mary’s husband
- Keith Carradine as Nancy’s father-in-law
- Leslie Odom Jr. as Donovan, Eleanor’s brother
Each character brings their own perspective to the story, and the music shifts to reflect whose point of view dominates each episode.
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Final Notes on the Imperfect Women Soundtrack
For fans of mystery series and television music, Imperfect Women offers another solid entry from composer Siddhartha Khosla. His work on the show continues his collaboration with streaming platforms, following his scores for Only Murders in the Building and Paradise.
The March 20 score release will give viewers a chance to experience the music separately from the show. Until then, watching the episodes as they release each week on Apple TV+ is the only way to hear how Khosla’s compositions support this story of friendship, murder, and imperfect women trying to hold their lives together after tragedy strikes.
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