With “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” and “Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed,” a trend is emerging on Apple’s streaming service.
Apple TV is generally known for its science fiction shows and feel-good sitcoms, but it is now exploring new themes. These two popular shows delve into the world of OnlyFans creators and cam models. As one show ends (“Margo’s Got Money Troubles”), another begins (“Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed”), creating a timely sequence. David J. Rosen, the creator and showrunner of “Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed,” suggests the timing reflects a cultural moment. “There’s just more and more acceptance of finding companionship and friendship through our screens,” he says.
Though they share thematic connections, the shows are distinct in tone and viewpoint. “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” based on Rufi Thorpe’s novel, is a dramedy with Elle Fanning as Margo, a college student and aspiring writer who becomes an OnlyFans creator after an affair with her professor leads to pregnancy. Despite her challenging situation, the show brings humor and addresses the industry’s realities, like dealing with stigma and facing doxxing in the real world. The series finale focuses on Margo’s custody battle for her child.
Meanwhile, “Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed” revolves around a subscriber’s experience rather than a creator’s. Paula, played by Tatiana Maslany, is a single mother who finds companionship on an OF-like service, forming a bond with a cam boy (Brandon Flynn) that turns into a tense thriller when she gets scammed. Creator Rosen shares that the inspiration came from the rise of video calls and virtual relationships during the pandemic, emphasizing the theme of loneliness rather than focusing on the cam industry itself.
While HBO’s “Euphoria” has also tackled similar stories, Apple TV’s shows stand out due to the company’s history with stringent censorship policies. Despite such a reputation, the burgeoning popularity and mainstream integration of platforms like OnlyFans make these subjects hard to overlook. Rosen believes this trend will continue, adding, “It’s one of the biggest industries in the world, or at least online… it will become more and more a part of our storytelling.”