Michelle Pfeiffer spent decades carrying major Hollywood movies, but she no longer wants the responsibility of being the central star of one.
“I never want to star in another movie, I swear to God,” the 68-year-old actor said during The Hollywood Reporter and Apple TV’s Leading the Narrative: The Women of Apple TV event in Beverly Hills on August 2nd.
Pfeiffer immediately explained that she now prefers ensemble projects, which she finds more enjoyable. Her comment did not rule out appearing in another film in a supporting or shared role.
The change follows her starring and executive-producing work on Margo’s Got Money Troubles and The Madison, two television ensembles that arrived after more than four decades of acclaimed film performances.
Pfeiffer Only Wants to Work in Ensemble Projects
“I only want to do ensemble pieces,” Pfeiffer said. “It’s so much more fun. I love it so much.” She made the declaration while appearing alongside fellow Emmy nominees Elle Fanning, Dale Dickey, Karolina Wydra, Rhea Seehorn and Jessica Williams.
Pfeiffer also praised the range of complicated female characters currently appearing on television. “I’ve just been so bowled over by the female performances on television, and honestly, they’re just really owning TV,” she said, according to PEOPLE. Her film career includes Scarface, Dangerous Liaisons, The Fabulous Baker Boys, Batman Returns, Dangerous Minds and the Ant-Man franchise.
She earned Academy Award nominations for Dangerous Liaisons, The Fabulous Baker Boys and Love Field. Her latest awards recognition came from television. Pfeiffer received a 2026 Emmy nomination for supporting actress in a comedy series for Margo’s Got Money Troubles.
‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ Gave Her a Long-Awaited Role
Pfeiffer plays Shyanne, the outspoken mother of Elle Fanning’s Margo, in Apple TV’s adaptation of Rufi Thorpe’s novel. Margo is a recent college dropout and new mother struggling with mounting bills after the professor who fathered her child leaves. She eventually begins creating online content to support herself and her baby.
Pfeiffer told TIME that she immediately recognized Shyanne’s Southern California world. “I know Fullerton,” she said. “I grew up in Orange County. I know this woman. In some ways, I’ve been longing to play this part.” Pfeiffer praised the series for allowing its characters to confront the difference between the lives they expected and the circumstances in which they eventually found themselves.
“I love how complicated and flawed all these characters are,” she said during the Apple TV panel, adding that she was proud to be part of the series. Apple TV renewed Margo’s Got Money Troubles for a second season before its first-season finale aired.
Elle Fanning Became ‘Family’ During Production
Working in an ensemble also allowed Pfeiffer to develop a close friendship with Fanning, who stars in and executive-produces the series. Fanning told PEOPLE that Pfeiffer became “family” while they played a mother and daughter with a complicated relationship.
Pfeiffer described Fanning as a performer who could complete an emotionally difficult scene and immediately switch into producer mode to address problems behind the camera. “She’s just the consummate professional,” Pfeiffer said. “She’s able to just wholeheartedly slip into character, do this emotional scene, do three takes, come out of it and handle issues as a producer.”
Pfeiffer said the two also laughed constantly between takes and continued spending time together away from the set. Their production included at least one unexpected encounter with police. Fanning revealed that she and Pfeiffer were nearly arrested while filming a limousine scene on the Las Vegas Strip.
The actors were standing through the vehicle’s sunroof when an officer ordered them to get down. Although the production had arranged permission and a police escort, Fanning said one officer apparently did not know the sequence had been authorized.
‘The Madison’ Offered a Darker Family Ensemble
Pfeiffer’s second major television project placed her at the center of a much darker family story without making her the only character carrying it. In Taylor Sheridan’s The Madison, she plays Stacy Clyburn, a wealthy New Yorker attempting to rebuild her life in Montana following the death of her husband, Preston, played by Kurt Russell.
The Paramount+ drama follows Stacy’s grief alongside the damaged relationships among her children and grandchildren. Pfeiffer told Entertainment Weekly that she stars in and executive-produces both The Madison and Margo’s Got Money Troubles.
The Madison completed production on its second season before Paramount+ renewed the series for a third. Release dates for Seasons 2 and 3 have not been announced.
Still Acting, But Done With Months of Prep
Pfeiffer has previously taken extended breaks from acting, particularly while raising her daughter, Claudia, and son, John, with her husband, television writer and producer David E. Kelley.
She said during a 2025 appearance on the SmartLess podcast that she still loved acting but no longer wanted to disappear into months of preparation at the expense of the rest of her life. “I don’t have time nor the desire to go that deep for that long and not be present,” she said.
Pfeiffer also revealed during the interview that she had become a grandmother in 2024. “If I had known that I was going to be a grandmother, I wouldn’t have taken on so much work,” she said. “But I’ve enjoyed everything, and I’m really grateful.”