The actress spoke to PEOPLE at the 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' premiere at SXSW Film & TV Festival on March 12
Credit: Rick Kern/WireImage
NEED TO KNOW
- Elle Fanning created an OnlyFans account to research her role as Margo in Margo’s Got Money Troubles
- The Apple TV series is based on Rufi Thorpe’s bestselling 2024 novel and premieres April 15
- The show features a star-studded cast including Michelle Pfeiffer, Nicole Kidman and Nick Offerman
Ellie Fanning is revealing how she prepared for her role in Margo's Got Money Troubles.
Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the movie premiere at SXSW Film & TV Festival on Thursday, March 12, the actress, 27, revealed she created an OnlyFans account to get into the character of Margot Millet.
“You know, there was, there were a lot of things,” she tells PEOPLE of her preparation.
“I mean, obviously, you know, I am an Instagram user, a TikTok user. I got to look at that,” Fanning says. “I mean, also, you know, we had to dive into OnlyFans a little bit. We did create an account for the writer's room and for me and so I could kind of check out how the website is.”
Based on Rufi Thorpe’s bestselling 2024 novel with the same name, Margo's Got Money Troubles tells the story of Margo who is faced with financial difficulties after dropping out of college and aspiring to be a writer.
She is also "forced to make her way with a new baby,” as she leans on her mom Shaynne Millet (Michelle Pfeiffer), a former Hooter's waitress and father Jinx Millet (Nick Offerman), ex-pro wrestler, for support.
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Credit: Gary Miller/FilmMagic
The eight-episode Apple TV series created by Pfeiffer’s husband David E. Kelley, also stars Nicole Kidman, who also serves as executive producer.
Other cast members include Thaddea Graham, Marcia Gay Harden, Greg Kinnear, Michael Angarano, Rico Nasty and Lindsey Normington.
In December, Fanning opened up to Deadline about how she had "the most wonderful experience" working with her costars.
"I hope people really enjoy the show. It’s a family drama, but there’s also, again, it’s very heartwarming and Margo is such a hopeful character," she said.
Credit: Travis P. Ball/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty
"She’s dealt these hardships in life, but somehow she always is able to overcome them," Fanning said of her character. "And I think she was really inspiring to play because of that and, and the world is just very specific and very fun.”
Fanning described the original novel as "so brilliant and heartwarming."
Margo’s Got Money Troubles premieres April 15, 2026 on Apple TV.
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