You know that feeling when a "character actor" finally gets the keys to the kingdom? That’s what we’re looking at right now with Margo Martindale. Most people know her as the terrifying Mags Bennett from Justified or the legendary "Esteemed Character Actress Margo Martindale" from BoJack Horseman. But in 2026, she's moving into a whole different neighborhood.
The big buzz right now is about The Age of Innocence, the new show featuring Margo Martindale that’s currently filming in the stunning, snowy streets of Prague. It’s a Netflix limited series, and it isn't your typical stuffy period drama. Based on Edith Wharton’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, this version is being steered by Emma Frost—the mind behind The White Queen.
Honestly, it’s about time.
What is The Age of Innocence actually about?
If you missed the 1993 Scorsese movie (or the book in high school), here’s the gist. It’s 1870s New York. High society is basically a shark tank, but everyone is wearing silk and drinking tea. The story follows Newland Archer (Ben Radcliffe), a guy who has his whole life planned out until he falls for the "wrong" woman—the scandalous Countess Ellen Olenska (Camila Morrone).
Margo Martindale plays Mrs. Manson Mingott.
👉 See also: Billie Eilish Therefore I Am Explained: The Philosophy Behind the Mall Raid
Now, this isn't just a "grandma" role. In the book, Mrs. Mingott is the matriarch to end all matriarchs. She’s described as "scurrilous, defiant, and greedy." She’s so large she can’t leave her house, so she literally rules the New York elite from a velvet armchair. Netflix is leaning into this, describing her as "entertaining" and "stubborn." Basically, it’s the kind of role Martindale was born to play.
Why this role is a massive deal
We’ve spent years watching Margo play handlers, killers, and tough-as-nails moms. Seeing her as a Gilded Age queen who controls the social lives of the ultra-wealthy is a pivot. It's smart. It's unexpected.
It’s also part of a larger "Margo-issance." Just last year, she anchored The Sticky on Prime Video—that weirdly brilliant show about a maple syrup heist. If you haven't seen it, go watch it. She plays Ruth Landry, a farmer who turns to crime because the government tries to take her land. It’s essentially Breaking Bad but with syrup and way more Canadian accents.
The Netflix 2026 Power Moves
Netflix is clearly betting big on Martindale this year. Beyond the corsets of The Age of Innocence, she’s also popped up in the cast list for Run Away, the new Harlan Coben thriller.
✨ Don't miss: Bad For Me Lyrics Kevin Gates: The Messy Truth Behind the Song
If you’ve watched any Netflix lately, you know Coben is their golden boy. These shows are always "binge-them-in-one-night" hits. Martindale is joined there by Jennifer Coolidge and Richard Kind. It’s a powerhouse cast for a story about a father searching for his runaway daughter, only to find a dark underworld.
What to expect from Margo Martindale’s new show
Prague is currently doubling for 19th-century New York. Why? Because New York looks nothing like the 1870s anymore, and Prague’s neo-Gothic architecture—specifically the Basilica of St. Ludmila—is perfect for those high-society wedding scenes.
Expect a lot of:
- Subtle shade thrown across dinner tables.
- Martindale stealing every single scene she’s in.
- Extravagant costumes that make you wonder how anyone breathed back then.
- A surprisingly modern take on "cancel culture" (which is basically what 1870s social exile was).
There’s no firm release date yet for The Age of Innocence, but with filming wrapping up in March 2026, we’re likely looking at a late 2026 or early 2027 release.
🔗 Read more: Ashley Johnson: The Last of Us Voice Actress Who Changed Everything
Why you should care
Margo Martindale doesn't miss. From her Emmy-winning turns to her voice work, she brings a gravity to projects that most actors can't touch. Whether she’s playing a manipulative Soviet handler or a maple-syrup-thieving farmer, she makes you believe the stakes are life and death.
In The Age of Innocence, she’s the anchor for a younger cast. She’s the gatekeeper of a world that’s about to disappear. It’s a perfect fit for an actress who has spent her career being the most interesting person in the room.
Actionable steps for the Margo-Obsessed
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on Margo Martindale's latest projects, here is what you need to do:
- Watch The Sticky on Prime Video. It’s six episodes. It’s fast. It’s her first real "leading lady" moment in years and shows exactly why she’s being trusted with these big Netflix roles.
- Add The Age of Innocence to your Netflix "Remind Me" list. Once the landing page goes live, hit that bell. Period dramas with this much talent usually drop with a lot of fanfare.
- Look for Run Away later this year. Harlan Coben shows usually drop in the "dead zones" of the TV calendar (like January or August) and become massive hits overnight.
- Revisit Justified Season 2. If you want to see why she’s a legend, her performance as Mags Bennett is still the gold standard for TV villains.
Margo Martindale’s new show isn’t just another project; it’s a victory lap for one of the hardest-working actors in the business. Keep your eyes on the Prague production—it's going to be something special.