Who is the real Maggie in Three Women? Everything we know so far

Three Women season 1 episode 1 premiered on September 13, 2024, on Starz. Maggie’s character, as portrayed in the series, is based on a real person who was lured into a relationship with her high school teacher when she was 17. She is the only person in the book who insisted on using her real name. Her story shows how hard it was to get justice.

The plot of Three Women revolves around Gia, a writer struggling to continue her book project. She embarks on a road trip, hoping to gather inspiration. Along the way, she meets three women with different stories of love, desire, and relationships. These stories form the foundation of Gia’s book, which she decides to center around the complex experiences of these women.

In Three Women, Maggie is portrayed by Welsh actress Gabrielle Creevy. After having a relationship with her married high school teacher Aaron when she was a teenager, the character has to deal with the effects of their relationship.

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Maggie from Three Women: A brave stand

Maggie’s real-life story is an important part of Three Women. At the age of 17, she was involved with her high school English teacher, Aaron, who was married and had children. It took years for Maggie to find the courage to tell her parents and report Aaron’s inappropriate actions.

Her decision to speak out reflects her bravery and desire to protect other young women from experiencing similar situations. This fight for justice is a central theme in her character’s journey in the series.

In Three Women, despite the dark subject matter surrounding her past, Maggie is portrayed with a sense of innocence, which is largely because of Gabrielle Creevy’s portrayal.

Creevy brings Maggie's lingering attachment to her former teacher to life, even though she is now a 23-year-old waitress. The painful memories of her high school experience, including the complicated relationship with Aaron, still define much of her emotional state.

In preparing for the role, Creevy immersed herself in Maggie's world. She first read Lisa Taddeo’s book Three Women, where Maggie’s real-life story was shared. To get deeper into the character, Creevy spoke with the real Maggie and the show’s creators, Laura and Lisa.

Creevy shared in an interview with ELLE that they made a conscious decision not to meet Maggie in person right away, as the focus was more on understanding Maggie’s emotional journey rather than mimicking her physical mannerisms.

As per the interview, Greevy mentioned,

"Maggie is amazing. The first thing I did was read the book. It was helpful. And then I went down the rabbit hole of Google and spoke with Laura and Lisa, and we [decided] I didn’t need to be in a room with Maggie, because that wasn’t the point."

Creevy was guided primarily by voice notes Maggie had left, which helped her capture how Maggie sounded and her emotional tone.

The in-person meeting between Creevy and Maggie took place later in Hawaii, which Creevy described as a magical and unforgettable moment. They shared a heartfelt hug, symbolizing the deep connection between the actor and the real person whose life she was portraying.

For Creevy, the most important aspect of playing Maggie was not about reviews or critical acclaim. It was about ensuring that Maggie herself was happy with how her story was told. Throughout filming, Creevy reminded herself that the driving force behind her performance was Maggie, and doing justice to her journey.

Upon asking how it felt to play Maggie in the show, Creevy mentioned,

"The biggest thing was that Maggie was happy and okay with it. And I feel like she is, so I feel like my job was done. Everyone in the room might disagree. But that was it for me."

Ultimately, Maggie's story in Three Women is about giving a voice to a real-life woman whose experiences reflect the complexities of relationships, vulnerability, and the lasting impact of trauma. Creevy’s portrayal aims to honor Maggie’s journey, ensuring that it is told in a way that respects her past and her resilience.

Three Women is currently streaming on Starz.