Saagar Kote
Created by David E. Kelley, ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ follows the struggles of Margo Millet (Elle Fanning), a college dropout who dreams of becoming a writer. She suddenly finds herself dealing with an unexpected pregnancy after a relationship with her professor. With bills piling up and few options, she looks for a way to support herself. Ultimately, she chooses to sell her content on the adult website, “OnlyFans,” which gives her the money she needs. Margo reconnects with her estranged father, Jinx Millet (Nick Offerman), a former wrestler whose unusual life advice influences her choices.
She also struggles with her complicated bond with her mother, Shyanne Millet (Michelle Pfeiffer). As Margo tries to build a stable life, she begins to question whether her decisions are truly helping her or creating new problems. The engaging Apple TV comedy-drama series is based on Rufi Thorpe’s novel of the same name and is a commentary on familial bonds. In this list, we bring you shows similar to ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ that examine deeply layered characters and their choices.
12. Starstruck (2021-2023)
BBC’s ‘Starstruck’, created by Rose Matafeo, is about the life of Jessie (Rose Matafeo), a young woman living in East London. She struggles to balance multiple jobs while sharing a small flat with her best friend, Kate (Emma Sidi). Her life takes an unexpected turn after a hookup with Tom Kapoor (Nikesh Patel), a famous actor. Despite coming from completely different worlds, Jessie and Tom keep crossing paths. As they try to figure out their feelings, their relationship goes through ups and downs, including breakups and reunions. The complex bond between the two shapes their lives in unexpected ways. The British comedy series, akin to ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles,’ is a moving story about a young woman whose intimate encounter with a man alters the course of her life.
11. I’m Sorry (2017-2019)
‘I’m Sorry’ or ‘I’m Sorry.’ deals with the trials and tribulations of Andrea Warren (Andrea Savage), a writer, wife, and mother living in suburban LA. While she appears confident to others, her life is often shaped by her awkwardness and overthinking, leading to humorous situations. Alongside her calm husband, Mike Harris (Tom Everett Scott), and daughter, Amelia Harris-Warren (Olive Petrucci), Andrea tries to manage work, family, and social life. However, her tendency to create problems for herself makes even simple situations complicated. As she navigates various life experiences, she gains new perspectives and must confront her own insecurities. Created by Andrea Savage, the comedy series complements ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ through its focus on the intricacies of the female experience, the lessons of life, and the value of familial bonds in a person’s reality.
10. Motherland (2016-2022)
BBC’s ‘Motherland,’ created by Sharon Horgan, Graham Linehan, Helen Serafinowicz, and Holly Walsh, is a British sitcom set in West London. It follows the life of Julia Johnstone (Anna Maxwell Martin), a working mother who is suddenly forced to take on more parenting duties when her own mother steps back from helping. Julia forms an unlikely friendship with Liz (Diane Morgan) and Kevin Brady (Paul Ready), both of whom have their own issues. As Julia tries to balance work and family life, she often feels overwhelmed, especially due to the negligence of her frequently absent husband, Paul (Oliver Chris). With life taking unexpected turns, she must find a way to survive everything, most importantly, the insecurities of her own soul. The show explores the struggles of a working mother, her desperation, relationships, and uncertainties, much like ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles.’
9. Casual (2015-2018)
Created by Zander Lehmann, Hulu’s ‘Casual’ is a comedy-drama show that delves into the struggles of Valerie Meyers (Michaela Watkins), a recently divorced mother who moves in with her bachelor brother, Alex Cole (Tommy Dewey), along with her teenage daughter, Laura Meyers (Tara Lynne Barr). As they adjust to living together, the siblings begin helping each other navigate modern dating and relationships. While Valerie tries to rebuild her life, Alex continues his carefree lifestyle, and Laura starts exploring her own relationships. Their shared home becomes a space full of awkward moments and personal growth. The three of them learn more about each other as they support their family members through life’s crises. Akin to ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles,’ the narrative is a poignant exploration of the troubles of being a single mother, navigating family relationships, and finding meaning.
8. Workin’ Moms (2017-2023)
CBC’s ‘Workin’ Moms’ is a Canadian comedy-drama show set in Toronto, and follows the experiences of Kate Foster (Catherine Reitman), a PR executive trying to balance her career with the demands of motherhood. She shares a complex bond with her close friend Anne Carlson (Dani Kind), a psychiatrist dealing with her own family struggles. Through a parenting group, they meet Frankie Coyne (Juno Rinaldi), a woman facing personal challenges, and Jenny Matthews (Jessalyn Wanlim), who is still figuring out her identity as a new mother.
As the women form an unlikely bond, they support each other through the ups and downs of life, all while trying to be authentic individuals with a strong sense of identity and self-respect. Created by Catherine Reitman, the story is similar to ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ in that it narrates a deeply moving tale of motherhood, career prospects, and the element of women supporting each other.
7. Better Things (2016-2022)
FX’s ‘Better Things’ is about the ups and downs in the life of Samantha Fox (Pamela Adlon), a working actor and single mother. She lives a tough life in LA and raises her three daughters, Maxine Fox (Mikey Madison), Frankie Fox (Hannah Alligood), and Duke Fox (Olivia Edward). While the mother tries to maintain a strong connection with her children, they grow more independent, placing her in uncertainty. At the same time, Samantha cares for her mother, Phyllis Darby (Celia Imrie), whose needs add to her responsibilities. As she balances family life and her career, Samantha also struggles to find time for herself. Created by Pamela Adlon and Louis C.K., the comedy-drama series explores her everyday challenges as she looks for purpose. The courageous spirit and character arc of Samantha capture the essence of Margo’s life in ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles.’
6. Single Drunk Female (2022-2023)
Created by Simone Finch, ‘Single Drunk Female’ revolves around the life of Samantha Fink (Sofia Black-D’Elia), a young woman forced to restart her life after a public meltdown linked to her drinking. She moves back home to Boston to stay with her strict mother, Carol Fink (Ally Sheedy), and commits to staying sober. As Samantha tries to rebuild her life, her past with addiction haunts her, and her complicated relationship with her mother adds to the challenge. Samantha’s life takes an interesting turn when she reconnects with her best friend, Brit (Sasha Compère), and rethinks her choices. Samantha’s experiences in the comedy show are spiritually connected to Margo’s reality in ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles.’ Both characters are young women whose lives are turned upside down by a single incident, forcing them to confront challenges.
5. Shameless (2011-2021)
Created by Paul Abbott, Showtime’s ‘Shameless’ is a comedy-drama show based on the British series of the same name. It follows the chaotic lives of the Gallagher family, led by the messy father Frank (William H. Macy), whose struggles with alcohol leave his children without much help. The eldest child, Fiona (Emmy Rossum), takes on the role of caregiver while trying to build her own future. Her siblings, Philip (Jeremy Allen White), Ian, Debbie, Carl, and Liam, face their own challenges growing up in a tough environment. Blending humor with serious themes, the narrative explores family, survival, and loyalty in difficult circumstances. These themes, along with the visual elements and the character arcs related to survival and redemption, make the show spiritually complementary to ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles.’
4. Fleabag (2016-2019)
BBC’s ‘Fleabag,’ created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, is a British comedy-drama series based on her one-woman show. It follows a woman known only as Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), a sharp and troubled woman navigating life in London while dealing with grief, relationships, and family tensions. Through her witty and often unfiltered narration, she frequently breaks the fourth wall, sharing her thoughts directly with the audience. While she appears confident and detached, her behavior often hides deeper emotional struggles.
One of the major factors in her life is the puzzling bond she shares with her sister Claire (Sian Clifford). As the story unfolds, Fleabag is forced to confront her past, her complicated decisions, and her own vulnerabilities. The narrative, akin to ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles,’ poignantly reflects the convergence of family dynamics, choice, and consequences in a young woman’s reality, while exploring the broader value of life.
3. Maid (2021)
Netflix’s ‘Maid’ centers on the difficult journey of Alexandra Russell (Margaret Qualley). She is a young mother who leaves an abusive relationship to build a safer life for herself and her little daughter, Maddy Boyd (Rylea Nevaeh Whittet). Lacking financial stability and adequate support, Alexandra is forced to take on work as a maid to survive. As she navigates temporary housing and various cleaning jobs, she is confronted with the stark realities of an unequal system and the depths of poverty. Through determination and resilience, Alexandra slowly works toward independence while trying to create a better future for her daughter at any cost.
However, unexpected challenges force her to make difficult decisions. Created by Molly Smith Metzler, the drama series is inspired by the memoir ‘Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive’ by Stephanie Land. The show, much like ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles,’ meaningfully chronicles the difficulties faced by a single mother in a highly competitive and unfair world where every choice can lead to significant consequences.
2. Rain Dogs (2023)
BBC’s ‘Rain Dogs’ is the story of the life of Costello (Daisy May Cooper), a devoted mother trying to build a better life for her young daughter, Iris (Fleur Tashjian). As she struggles to make ends meet, she relies on Selby (Jack Farthing), a wealthy yet troubled friend who acts as a father figure to Iris and Gloria (Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo). Together, they form a family-like unit as they face constant challenges and an unforgiving social structure that makes their journey more difficult. As they try to survive and move forward, they must come to terms with their own insecurities while staying true to their end goals. Created by Cash Carraway, the British comedy series is similar to ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ in that it focuses on the ups and downs of a single mother and her child, who rely on friends and family for emotional support.
1. SMILF (2017-2019)
Showtime’s ‘SMILF’ is a comedy-drama show that follows the journey of Bridgette Bird (Frankie Shaw), a young, single mother in South Boston grappling with limited resources and an unconventional family life. While striving to provide for her son, Larry Bird (Alex Neustaedter), Bridgette frequently makes rash, senseless decisions as she tries to balance her many responsibilities. While the single mother looks to achieve some level of balance in her life, she also struggles to deal with her sexual desires and other ambitions.
Bridgette runs into hilarious, unforeseen circumstances as she seeks meaning amid the chaos around her. Created by Frankie Shaw, the comedy-drama show is an adaptation of her short film. The narrative complements the world and characters of ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ as it explores the emotional challenges of single motherhood through hilarious moments, while also dealing with the complexities of sexual desires. The visual elements and the character dynamics in the shows connect them on a deeper level.
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