David E Kelley's new series 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' is an eight-part comedy-drama adapted from Rufi Thorpe's 2024 novel. Directed by Dearbhla Walsh, it stars Elle Fanning as Margo, a young single mother who turns to creating sci-fi OnlyFans content to make ends meet. Michelle Pfeiffer plays her mother Shyanne, who also had a child young after a one-night stand with a professional wrestler, Jinx (Nick Offerman).
Pfeiffer delivers a powerful performance in a scene where she reacts to Margo's pregnancy, capturing grief and resignation. However, the series remains firmly in Kelley's trademark light, bright style, never allowing the drama to become too serious. Despite tackling themes of sex work and family dysfunction, the punches are carefully pulled, and the trajectory of characters like Jinx and Shyanne is never really in doubt.
Nicole Kidman appears as a former wrestler turned lawyer, bringing a rare grin. The show is best enjoyed as a cosy commentary on family and mistakes, with charm and endearment that may appeal to those not allergic to schmaltz. Yet with talents like Fanning, Pfeiffer, and Kelley involved, it could have been so much more.
