Elle Fanning on the Close Connection Between Margo and Her Mom in ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’
Apple TV’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles Explores Complex Mother-Daughter Dynamics
The initial three episodes of Apple TV’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles, inspired by Rufi Thorpe’s novel, delve into the intricate relationship between the lead character, Margo, portrayed by Elle Fanning, and her mother Shyanne, played by Michelle Pfeiffer. Shyanne, who once worked as a waitress at Hooters, is now in a relationship with a devout man named Kenny, portrayed by Greg Kinnear.
From the onset, the series introduces viewers to Margo’s unique viewpoint, shaped by her parents’ unconventional lives. Her father, a professional wrestler known as Jinx, was largely absent during her upbringing, leaving Shyanne to raise Margo alone. The narrative takes a poignant turn when Margo unexpectedly becomes pregnant by her college professor Mark, played by Michael Angarano, reopening emotional wounds for Shyanne reminiscent of her own past experiences.
As Margo embraces motherhood, she finds herself often stepping into a parental role alongside Shyanne. This shift is vividly illustrated in a second episode scene where Shyanne brings baby Bodhi to Margo’s workplace, a restaurant reminiscent of Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour, despite her original commitment to babysitting.
Reflecting on their shared chemistry, Fanning recently discussed how her connection with Pfeiffer enhances their portrayal of Margo and Shyanne’s bond. “The cycle, and at times how it flip flops, of who’s the child, who’s the parent, and at times even just best friends… there’s a lot of shifting dynamics in even the course of one scene,” she explained. Fanning emphasized the deep trust that allowed them to explore these emotions organically: “We came in with this chemistry… we would surprise each other and be spontaneous.”
Pfeiffer has previously collaborated with both Fanning sisters, starting with I Am Sam in 2001. The actress and Elle later reunited for Maleficent: Mistress of Evil in 2019, where Pfeiffer played Queen Ingrith, a key antagonist to Angelina Jolie’s character.
In discussing the chemistry between them, Pfeiffer remarked, “I’m not someone that thinks, ‘Oh, you have to have off-the-charts chemistry for something to work,’ but in this case, I do think that the chemistry really translates, and that’s Michelle and Elle, and it translates to Shyanne and Margo.”
The first three episodes of Margo’s Got Money Troubles are currently available for streaming on Apple TV, with new episodes set to release weekly on Wednesdays.
