Apple TV has laid its claim as the premier destination for prestige television, going toe-to-toe with the juggernaut HBO. 2026 has already started off strong for the streamer with Season 3 of the Emmy-nominated series Shrinking and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2, and it is looking to continue its momentum by collaborating with A24 for Margo’s Got Money Troubles.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles is based on the 2024 novel of the same name, written by Rufi Thorpe. The show was created by David E. Kelley, who was behind hits like The Lincoln Lawyer, Presumed Innocent, Big Little Lies, Love & Death, and more.
What Is ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ About?
Margo’s Got Money Troubles follows Margo Millet (Elle Fanning), a college student with a promise to become a great writer, who falls into an affair with her college professor, Mark (Michael Angarano). In classic, dramatic TV fashion, Margot gets pregnant, but since Mark has a wife and kids of his own, he wants nothing to do with Margo and his illegitimate child.
Margo’s parents aren’t much help financially either. Her mom, Shayanne (Michelle Pfeiffer), works at Bloomingdale’s, and her dad, Jinx (Nick Offerman), is a recently retired professional wrestler who hasn’t been very present in Margo’s life. The real question is—does a story like this belong in the current age of storytelling that the streaming era has cultivated?
While the story of a young girl getting pregnant at a pivotal time in their life is the same basic premise as Juno, Margo’s Got Money Troubles gives the audience a modern lens of what it’s like to be a young, single mother in the digital age.
‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ Is a Modern Flair to a Common Story
The series is also unafraid to show the hardships of motherhood while still highlighting the miracle of life. The best part of the series is how it showcases the physical and mental toll of having a child, as well as how it changes relationships in Margo’s life. The show is just as much about consequences as it is about the resolve to provide.
Friends abandon you, but sometimes, people come back into your life when you need them most. While Shayanne is distant from Margo’s baby because she feels she’s repeating the same mistakes she made when she was younger, Jinx, after a stint in rehab, re-enters Margo’s life at a pivotal time.
As money becomes tight and jobs become hard to navigate, Margo turns to OnlyFans to solve her money troubles, eventually becoming a creative outlet, allowing her to tell stories through her sexuality for profit. Margo does not pull off this OnlyFans transformation alone. Jinx helps her cultivate her vision with his pro wrestling background; her roommate, Susie (Thaddea Graham), becomes her in-house photographer and costume designer; and her rise to fame skyrockets through collaborations with two established OnlyFans models with massive followings.
Family is More Than Blood
Unfortunately, Margo’s new success comes at a cost. Fame, even on a social media level, changes how people perceive you, whether it be a stranger, a lifelong friend, or even a family member. Sex work is a respected profession to some, but certainly not to all. Margo’s Got Money Troubles does an incredible job of showing the pros and cons of this line of work.
At the end of the day, Margo does what’s best to provide for her and her son. Part of that is deciding who is in her inner circle, whether it be family by blood or people who have stepped up in her life. This, of course, means sometimes keeping those you love at arm’s length to do what’s best for your child. The tug-of-war of life depicted in the series is anchored by the incredible performances from Fanning and Offerman, who navigate these emotional ranges effortlessly on screen.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles is a beautifully messy journey of perseverance, self-discovery, and family. The series is a great depiction of the reality of life and how fast it can come at you, while exploring how people come and go, and how important the ones who stick around truly are. The series is another great addition to the incredible catalogue Apple TV has produced, and plus, who doesn’t want to see Nick Offerman as a wrestler!?
The first three episodes of Margo’s Got Money Troubles debut on Apple TV on April 15. Follow Agents of Fandom socials for all the latest entertainment news and reviews
'Margo's Got Money Troubles' Review
'Margo's Got Money Troubles' ReviewThe Good
- An overused narrative is bolstered with a modern take.
- Elle Fanning and Nick Offerman deliver emotionally complex performances.
- The series provides a relatable perspective on the hardships life can throw at you.
The Bad
- Margo's social media fame comes a little too easy.
