"Motherhood is such a big theme of the show, and I'm not a mother myself, but we had many mothers on set who I could always ask for advice," she tells PEOPLE
Credit: Travis P. Ball/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Elle Fanning had a special prop on set of Margo’s Got Money Troubles to help her play a new mother
- “Motherhood is such a big theme of the show, and I’m not a mother myself, but we had many mothers on set who I could always ask for advice,” she tells PEOPLE at the show’s premiere at SXSW Film & TV Festival
- Margo’s Got Money Troubles premieres April 15, 2026 on Apple TV
Elle Fanning learned a lot about motherhood on the set of Margo’s Got Money Troubles.
The actress, 27, had a special prop to help her play a new mother in the Apple TV adaptation of Rufi Thorpe’s bestselling 2024 novel.
"Motherhood is such a big theme of the show, and I'm not a mother myself, but we had many mothers on set who I could always ask for advice, like, 'Well, does this look real?' " she tells PEOPLE at the show’s premiere at SXSW Film & TV Festival on March 12.
Credit: Apple TV
Fanning continues to say that she was challenged particularly in the scenes of her character, Margo Millet, breastfeeding her baby who has colic.
"I had prosthetic breasts in the show at times that would actually squirt out milk so there were a lot of things going on," Fanning says.
Overall, the Girl from Plainville actress says it was "exciting" to be part of the comedy-drama series.
"It really feels like a slice of life. It's so heartwarming but also there's a lot of dramatic and tragic bits. The way Margo handles them is with such optimism… I loved seeing her find her agency and resilience throughout the show and getting to build upon that," she says.
Michelle Pfeiffer, Thaddea Graham, Nick Offerman and Nicole Kidman also star in the series. Pfeiffer’s husband, David E. Kelley, serves as the showrunner with Eva Anderson.
The show follows Margo (Fanning) as she faces financial difficulties after dropping out of college to raise her new baby. The aspiring writer leans on her mom Shaynne Millet (Pfeiffer), a former Hooter's waitress, and father Jinx Millet (Offerman), ex-pro wrestler, for support.
Fanning spoke more about starring in Margo’s Got Money Troubles, which she also produced with her sister, actress Dakota Fanning, during a panel after the premiere screening of the first three episodes.
“It's a gift to get to play someone like Margo,” she said. “You watch Margo grow. She has this kind of naivete. At every turn, you think she's going to go right, but then she chooses left and it's the harder pathway.”
Credit: Eric Charbonneau/Apple TV via Getty
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"Through that, she has this bravery and courage and optimism. I loved getting to play a character who had that spirit. She made me a lot more brave and courageous through her choices. It's a really special ensemble to be a part of and a really special woman to play,” Fanning continued.
Margo’s Got Money Troubles premieres April 15 on Apple TV.
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