Originally proposed under the title My So Called Wife, new series Imposters will appear this Tuesday at 10/9c on Bravo. The name change suggests that attention will be given not only to lead actress Inbar Lavi’s character Maddie, but also her team of disguise-wearing, wedding-crashing cohorts. Their goal is to find a target, woo him or her, and make off with the entire contents of their bank account just after he or she and Maddie tie the knot. The trailers make these intentions of Maddie’s clear, but according to TV Guide, Maddie’s victims also engage in their own bit of con-artistry.
Imposters plays on a serious human apprehension: How do you really know if someone loves you? How well do you really know your significant other?
The concept of a woman manipulating the desires of men for financial gain is, of course, not new. Starz’ The Girlfriend Experience, the season finale of which aired last June, has a similar premise. Riley Keough plays Christine, a law firm intern who lives a double life as escort “Chelsea.”
The Girlfriend Experience may be similar to Imposters in topic, but not in tone and style. Imposters will likely deliver the spontaneity and dynamism that the emotional drama of The Girlfriend Experience lacks. However, Imposters and The Girlfriend Experience may have to compete for audiences, as the latter has been renewed for a second season premiering at an undecided date, according to Variety.
It’s easy to root for Christine/Chelsea of The Girlfriend Experience as she stumbles forward without a specific devious plan, but with curiosity and practicality. The difference for Imposters seems to be that the audience doesn’t know which team root for. Con-woman Maddie (if that is her real name) is in the position of protagonist: pursued, charming, exciting. Her team of imposters will drive the plot through a series of disguises and schemes of varying ridiculousness.
But the conned are sympathetic, funny, and have the moral high-ground. In a variation on the “buddy cop” routine, two ex-husbands – Ezra and Richard – and ex-wife Jules team up to track down their wife. Possibly they will be the most compelling element of Imposters, and are featured heavily in the trailer. If the trailer isn’t enough to satisfy your interest, check out the twelve minute preview of the first episode on Bravo. (Though you’ll have to watch the full episodes to see Uma Thurman’s guest-star appearance.)
One of the appeals of Imposters is the level of awareness of how ridiculous Maddie’s journey can be. Variety quoted Jeff Wachtel calling the future show “humorous, smart and sexy,” more lighthearted and fun than the average dark comedy.
Imposters may be just the right blend of silly, serious, sexy, and suspenseful to catch the attention of viewers who may have found the first season of The Girlfriend Experience lacking. Critical reception from TV Guide and Variety has been positive, but you’ll have to decide for yourself whether Imposters‘ unique mix of mystery, heartache, and humor works as well as Maddie’s many wigs.