The first three episodes of Apple TV’s “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” dropped and I immediately pounced.

Having just finished the 2024 novel by Rufi Thorpe that the series was adapted from, I was only too eager to see Nick Offerman play Margo’s WWE icon dad, Jinx. In addition, my childhood fave Michelle Pfeiffer—the writer has seen “Grease 2” no less than 30 times (Cool Rider!) and counts another Pfeiffer star vehicle, “Dangerous Liaisons” as her favorite movie—plays her former Hooters waitress mother, Shyanne. 

Of course, there’s also the prolific, tireless Elle Fanning, the voice behind the “Margo” audiobook and the star of pretty much every upcoming film (“Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” “The Nightingale,” etc.).

Fanning is being cast in every film and show for a reason. She is a compelling star who draws you in. Her Margo, who starts off charmingly naive, is a pleasure to watch as she grows into her confidence.

So far, the adaptation leans into the novel’s chaos in a way that mostly works—thanks in large part to its cast.

Like the novel, the story has a unique tone—a dramedy, with a bit of the absurd thrown in.  It follows college student Margo, who, like most people in their early 20s, makes a bad romantic decision. However, hers is a doozy—she starts sleeping with her married English professor, Mark (Michael Angarano), becomes pregnant and without much thought to her living situation, finances, etc., decides to keep the baby.

Mark assumes she will abort the baby and Margo is mad that he assumed that was the plan and tells him she is keeping the child. Furious, she drops out of college.

Once baby Bodhi is in the picture, Margo tries to go back to life as usual, but learns that is just not possible. 

Margo tries to go back to her job at a restaurant and asks her mom to babysit. Mid-shift, Shyanne shows up with Bodhi and says she can’t do it.  

Margo comforts her mother, who sobs and says: “I’m an awful grandmother…. I’m just terrible at everything except being pretty.”

Pfeiffer plays Shyanne as vain and plotting, but also with a heart of gold. 

Afterwards, Margo’s boss, Tessa (Laura San Giacomo from “Just Shoot Me!” and “Sex, Lies and Videotape”—where have you been, bud?!), fires her in a kind way, but says she needs someone she can count on. 

Things continue a downward spiral as two of her roommates move out, leaving just Margo and her roommate Susie (Thaddea Graham) to cover rent. 

This messiness in the show finds humor in the overwhelm without losing Margo’s humanity. 

She visits Mark with their child to demand financial help. For reasons involving Mark’s mom, played by the fabulous Marcia Gay Harden, things become more complicated.

Fresh from rehab, Margo’s father Jinx shows up at her door and moves in. When Margo says yes, there is a tender moment where Jinx cries. Though tough in appearance, Offerman brings a sweetness to Jinx that keeps the character from tipping into caricature. 

Jinx tells a story about a wrestler who makes big bucks on OnlyFans, which gets Margo’s wheels turning on a way to make money and stay home with her baby.

Episode 4 premieres this week. The unique characters and Margo, who you start to root for the more you witness her kindness and creativity, have compelled me to continue watching the series. 

Although there are some small changes from the book, the story is mostly the same. Author Thorpe is involved in the series—she serves as one of the executive producers. David E. Kelley, creator, showrunner, executive producer and writer of successful adaptations “Big Little Lies” and “The Undoing,” is helming this Apple TV miniseries as well. 

If the series continues to balance its absurdity with real emotional stakes, it could be one of the more interesting adaptations of the year.

About the writer

S Lynn. Bonanno has been a features writer for 25+ years. She is a fan of absurdity and loves a humorous story and an amazing, dreamy ensemble cast in a series.