Elle Fanning, nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Sentimental Value, will attend the Oscars with boyfriend Gus Wenner and her mother, calling it a “family affair” while promoting her new Apple TV+ series Margo’s Got Money Troubles with sister Dakota Fanning—a project born from shared resilience and literary adaptation.
Elle Fanning’s first Oscar nomination for Sentimental Value has become a celebration of personal ties. At SXSW in Austin on March 12, 2026, the actress announced she’ll attend the Academy Awards on March 15 with her boyfriend, Gus Wenner, and her mother—a decision she framed as “a family affair,” underscoring how foundational relationships fuel her success [1].
This nomination represents a culmination of strategic career choices. Fanning specifically credited director Mike Mills, whom she worked with on 20th Century Women, for recommending her to Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value. “He actually suggested me to (director) Joachim Trier. So without doing that film, I don’t think I’d be in that movie,” she explained, highlighting how mentorship and trust within the industry directly shape iconic roles [1].
Amid Oscar preparations, Fanning is also spearheading her most ambitious personal project yet: Margo’s Got Money Troubles, an Apple TV+ series where she stars and serves as executive producer alongside her sister, Dakota Fanning. The show, adapted from Rufi Thorpe’s novel, follows college student Margo as she navigates an affair with a professor, an unexpected pregnancy, and financial desperation that leads to content creation on OnlyFans [1].
Fanning’s passion for the character is palpable. She described Margo as “resilient” and “optimistic,” noting, “When life throws her something hard, she really overcomes it in an unexpected way.” This emotional connection mirrors the real-life bond with her sister, making the series a rare on-screen partnership that fans have long hoped for [2]. Their collaboration has been deeply moving; Fanning admitted to getting “really emotional” while watching scenes with Dakota, a testament to their shared creative journey [2].
Key elements driving Margo’s Got Money Troubles include:
- Based on Rufi Thorpe’s bestselling novel, acquired after a competitive bidding war.
- Elle Fanning’s dual role as lead actress and executive producer, assembling a team including David E. Kelley, A24, Nicole Kidman, and Michelle Pfeiffer.
- Dakota Fanning’s co-starring and producing role, marking another chapter in the sisters’ screen partnership.
- Provocative themes exploring modern parenthood, financial instability, and digital entrepreneurship via OnlyFans.
- Premiering on Apple TV+, leveraging streaming platforms for serialized storytelling.
The convergence of Fanning’s Oscar nod and this family-driven series spotlights a deliberate career pattern: leveraging close-knit collaborations to tackle complex material. Her path from 20th Century Women to Sentimental Value—cemented by Mills’ referral—mirrors how she assembled the team for Margo’s Got Money Troubles, emphasizing loyalty and creative synergy. This approach resonates in an industry where franchise often dominates, proving that intimate, character-driven stories can achieve mainstream acclaim.
For fans, this dual moment fuels excitement for potential future collaborations between Elle and Dakota, building on their shared history in projects like The Great and now this bold new series. The narrative of “family first” extends beyond blood relations to include mentors like Mills and partners like Wenner, painting a picture of an actress who navigates fame through trusted circles rather than solo pursuits.
As the Oscars approach, Fanning’s story reaffirms that critical recognition and personal fulfillment can coexist when rooted in authentic connections. Her journey from nominated supporting actress to executive producing a sister-led drama embodies a modern entertainer’s blueprint: balance high-art accolades with projects that reflect one’s values and relationships.
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