The Seven Shocking Secrets Of Margo Starling: Linda Cardellini’s Dark Turn In Netflix’s No Good Deed

The world of suburban dark comedy has a new queen of manipulation, and her name is Margo Starling. The highly anticipated Netflix series, No Good Deed, which premiered globally on Thursday, December 12th, has reunited Emmy-nominated actress Linda Cardellini with *Dead to Me* creator Liz Feldman, and the result is a twisty, binge-worthy exploration of real estate, marriage, and murder. This article dives deep into the character of Margo Starling, the fresh plot details, and the latest speculation surrounding the show's massive success and a potential second season.

The series, billed as a black comedy, immediately captivated audiences by blending outright slapstick humor with painful family tragedy, all centered around a seemingly simple real estate transaction. Linda Cardellini's performance as the perfectly coiffed, status-seeking Margo is a masterclass in portraying a character who is both deeply flawed and compellingly watchable. Her shift from the grieving, complex Jen Harding in *Dead to Me* to the ruthlessly ambitious Margo Starling proves once again why Cardellini remains one of Hollywood's most versatile talents.

Linda Cardellini: A Biographical Profile of Versatile Talent

Linda Edna Cardellini has built a distinguished career on her ability to inhabit complex, often conflicted characters across multiple genres. Before diving into the dark world of *No Good Deed*, she was already a household name thanks to a string of iconic roles. Here is a brief look at the life and career of the actress who now embodies Margo Starling.

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• Birth Name: Linda Edna Cardellini
• Date of Birth: June 25, 1975
• Place of Birth: Redwood City, California, United States
• Profession: Actress, Producer, Voice Artist
• Early Career Breakthrough: Her breakout role was as the disillusioned, straight-A student Lindsay Weir in the critically acclaimed but short-lived NBC series, Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000).
• Notable Television Roles:
  • Samantha Taggart in the long-running medical drama ER (2003–2009).
  • Sylvia Rosen in the period drama Mad Men (2013–2015), which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
  • Judy Hale in the dark comedy Dead to Me (2019–2022), which solidified her partnership with Liz Feldman.
• Notable Film Roles:
  • Velma Dinkley in the live-action Scooby-Doo films (2002, 2004).
  • Cassie in the Oscar-winning drama Brokeback Mountain (2005).
  • Laura Barton in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films, including Avengers: Age of Ultron and Avengers: Endgame.

The Dark Plot of No Good Deed: Margo Starling's Web of Secrets

The core premise of No Good Deed is deceptively simple: three families compete to purchase a stunning, Spanish-style villa in Los Angeles from a couple, Lydia and Paul (played by Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano). However, as the bidding war escalates, a dark secret the sellers have been hiding for years comes to light, turning the real estate transaction into a full-blown murder mystery.

Linda Cardellini’s Margo Starling is one-half of one of the competing families. She is married to JD (Luke Wilson), a struggling former soap opera star. Margo is introduced as a high-society, "perfectly coiffed" status seeker whose primary motivation is climbing the social ladder.

The series quickly reveals that Margo’s desire for the dream home is tied to a much deeper, more manipulative agenda. Her character is a "social climber" with "buried secrets to spare," someone who "knows how to get what she wants." The narrative arc for Margo is one of escalating chaos, as her manipulative ways and excessive spending cause her marriage to JD to completely fall apart by the season finale.

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The show’s creator, Liz Feldman, has openly discussed how the superficial and existential fixation on "home" planted the seeds for the series, using the real estate setting as a backdrop to explore themes of loss and the secrets people keep to maintain a perfect facade. Margo Starling is the embodiment of this facade, a character whose polished exterior hides a morally ambiguous interior, making her one of the most compelling figures in the ensemble cast.

Why No Good Deed Is a Must-Watch for Linda Cardellini Fans

For fans of Cardellini’s previous work, particularly her Emmy-nominated role in *Dead to Me*, *No Good Deed* offers a fascinating continuation of her partnership with Liz Feldman. Their creative reunion was a major draw for the series, with Feldman noting that she was inspired to create the show after scrolling on Zillow and contemplating the secrets hidden behind perfect homes.

The show is a vehicle for Cardellini to further explore the "badass bitch" archetype she expressed a desire to play after *Dead to Me*. Margo Starling is a departure from the emotionally vulnerable Judy Hale, offering a performance that is sharper, more calculating, and driven by external validation.

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The Ensemble Cast and Liz Feldman's Signature Style

The series benefits from an all-star cast that elevates the dark comedy. Alongside Cardellini, the ensemble includes:

• Lisa Kudrow (as Lydia)
• Ray Romano (as Paul)
• O-T Fagbenle
• Abbi Jacobson
• Luke Wilson (as JD Starling)

Feldman’s signature blend of humor and emotional depth is evident throughout the eight 30-minute episodes. The show masterfully juxtaposes the high-stakes drama of a murder with the petty, superficial concerns of high-end real estate, creating a unique and often queasy blend of tones that keeps viewers hooked.

Season 2 Speculation: Will Margo Starling Return?

Following the show's successful premiere and its immediate popularity on the streaming service, the most pressing question for fans is whether a second season of *No Good Deed* will be greenlit. The first season’s ending left several key plot threads unresolved, fueling intense speculation for a continuation of the story.

The finale, which provided a resolution to the central murder mystery—revealing who truly killed Jacob and who ultimately gets the Morgans' house—also introduced new loose ends. Specifically, the issue of a $5 million check and a mysterious text message from Dennis’s father-in-law were left hanging, suggesting that creator Liz Feldman intentionally set the stage for more drama.

While no official announcement has been made regarding *No Good Deed* Season 2, the overwhelming positive reception and the creator's history of multi-season hits like *Dead to Me* make a renewal highly probable. Should the series return, fans are eager to see the next chapter in Margo Starling’s life, particularly how she navigates the fallout of her marriage and her relentless pursuit of status. Linda Cardellini's portrayal has cemented Margo as a character with endless potential for future dark comedy storylines. The wait for official news continues, but the show has already proven to be a must-watch for anyone who enjoys a twisty, character-driven narrative with a sharp comedic edge.