Elle Fanning and Michelle Pfeiffer on survival, judgment and the cost of living
Elle Fanning and Michelle Pfeiffer sat down in West Hollywood to talk about their new series Margo's Got Money Troubles, a dark comedy that has earned eight Emmy nominations. The show, adapted by David E. Kelley from Rufi Thorpe's novel, follows a young mother who turns to OnlyFans to escape debt. For the two actresses, the story hits close to home in ways that go beyond the screen.
What is Margo's Got Money Troubles about?
Elle Fanning plays Margo, an aspiring writer who drops out of college after her professor gets her pregnant. With a baby to feed and bills piling up, she starts an OnlyFans account, posting alien cosplay and neon makeup content that draws subscribers and tips. Her family, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, Nick Offerman, Greg Kinnear and Nicole Kidman, is messy but loving, and each character carries their own battles.
How did the actresses relate to the money struggles?
Elle admitted she has only ever known acting as a job, starting in films at age three. Her parents taught her and her sister Dakota to be financially independent. She said the cost of living today is so high that many people can relate to Margo's desperation. For her, OnlyFans is not a scandal but a lifeline for a struggling single mother.
Michelle Pfeiffer, who plays Margo's mother Shyanne, grew up in a family that lived paycheck to paycheck. She started working at 13, selling brushes door to door, stocking groceries and working retail. She recalled that in her youth, a supermarket job could support a decent apartment. Today, she said, that is much harder.
What does the show say about judgment and stereotypes?
Elle reflected on how quick people are to judge women who turn to sex work, even digital only. She quoted Robin Williams: Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. She said the show is about living with contradictions and understanding that every choice has a story behind it.
Michelle praised her husband David E. Kelley for his writing, which sets up cliches only to shatter them. She noted that characters like Kenny the youth minister or Jinx the ex-wrestler seem predictable at first, but reveal unexpected depth. There is no clear villain, only flawed people trying to survive.
How did the project come together?
Elle and her sister Dakota, through their production company Lewellen Pictures, optioned the book before it was published. They brought in David E. Kelley, Nicole Kidman and A24, and pitched the project to Apple TV. From the start, Elle insisted Michelle had to play Shyanne.
Michelle admitted she was hesitant to work with her husband, saying their marriage felt sacred and they had a rule against collaborating. But she fell in love with Shyanne's fire and rawness. She said the part was small in the book, but the impact was huge, and she said yes.
What was it like playing a young mother?
Elle said she wanted authenticity in depicting motherhood, even though she is not a mother herself. She insisted on having real babies on set, which she said added texture to every scene. The babies, she laughed, loved Michelle so much they would smile when they were supposed to cry.
Elle described Margo as complicated and flawed, like every character in the show. At its heart, she said, the series is about a family that fights hard but is bound by enormous love, even when they are at odds.
Margo's Got Money Troubles has already been renewed for a second season.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch Margo's Got Money Troubles?
The series streams on Apple TV+ and is produced by A24.
How many Emmy nominations did the show receive?
The show earned eight Emmy nominations, including Best Comedy Series and acting nods for Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer and Nick Offerman.
Is the show based on a book?
Yes, it is adapted from Rufi Thorpe's novel of the same name, which Elle Fanning's production company optioned before publication.