Who is Marianne in The Girlfriend? Details from the Prime Video series explored

Prime Video’s The Girlfriend, adapted from Michelle Frances’s novel, sets up a battle of wits between Laura Sanderson, a wealthy London gallery owner played by Robin Wright, and her son’s new girlfriend Cherry, portrayed by Olivia Cooke. While the series focuses heavily on their psychological rivalry, one character on the sidelines raises more questions than answers. That character is Marianne.

In The Girlfriend, Marianne appears connected to Howard, Laura’s husband, and her presence complicates the already messy family dynamic. Early in the premiere, viewers learn that Howard seems to be maintaining a sexual relationship with Marianne, despite remaining married to Laura. The twist is that Laura knows about it, accepts it, and even believes their marriage functions better this way.

This detail in The Girlfriend makes Marianne far more than a casual affair; she represents a deliberate choice in how Howard and Laura structure their relationship. The show hints that Howard might be ready to leave Marianne to focus fully on his wife, but Laura’s reaction suggests she prefers keeping the balance as it is.

That tension leaves the door open for Marianne to become a pivotal figure, potentially aligning with Cherry, and turning the domestic drama into a deeper exploration of loyalty, control, and betrayal.

The Girlfriend: Why Marianne could become Cherry’s unexpected Ally

Marianne’s role in The Girlfriend is small in screen time but large in impact. She is first introduced at Laura’s gallery opening, where her relationship with Howard becomes obvious. Instead of keeping things discreet, she is comfortable enough to openly grope him at a public event.

This small moment makes it clear she is not a hidden secret but someone who operates with a level of confidence, knowing Laura is aware of her presence. Howard does not brush her off either, confirming that this arrangement has been going on for a while and that it is something he has allowed to exist alongside his marriage.

What makes Marianne stand out is how normal she acts in a situation most people would find scandalous. The show hints that Howard has been seeing her steadily, not as a fling but as a parallel partner. His willingness to continue with her suggests real attachment, even if he later tells Laura he is ready to give her up.

The bigger surprise is Laura’s perspective. Rather than feeling betrayed, she explains that the setup somehow makes their marriage work. That odd acceptance turns Marianne into a mirror for Laura’s complicated control over her home life.

The possibility of Marianne crossing paths with Cherry is what gives her storyline weight. Both women are outsiders in the Sanderson family structure, both are willing to bend boundaries, and both could threaten Laura’s position.

It is entirely possible that Cherry and Marianne could eventually collaborate against Laura, which would tilt the power dynamic of the series. For now, Marianne is not portrayed as malicious, but her openness and comfort in the Sandersons’ orbit make her unpredictable.

The decision to include Marianne shows how the series wants to explore more than just Laura versus Cherry. She adds another layer to Howard and Laura’s marriage, pushing questions about why Laura prefers keeping her husband’s affair in place rather than reclaiming him fully.

Whether Marianne remains a background complication in The Girlfriend or becomes actively involved in the psychological warfare remains to be seen. What’s clear from the pilot is that her existence destabilizes the idea of a traditional marriage and gives the audience another angle to watch as loyalties shift.

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