Dan Levy’s return to television has arrived with a bang—literally and figuratively. After the runaway success of Schitt’s Creek, Levy has teamed up with comedian Rachel Sennott for Big Mistakes, an eight-episode Netflix series that premiered in early April 2026. The show, set in suburban New Jersey, offers viewers a raucous blend of dysfunctional family comedy and organized crime caper, all wrapped in the warmth and wit that have become Levy’s signature.
At the heart of Big Mistakes is the Geller family, whose members are as flawed as they are fiercely loyal. Siblings Nicky (played by Levy), Morgan (Taylor Ortega), and Natalie (Abby Quinn) are drawn home by the impending death of their grandmother. Their mother, Linda (Laurie Metcalf), is juggling grief, the family hardware store, and a spirited campaign for mayor of their hometown, Glenview. It’s a setup that might sound familiar to fans of Levy’s earlier work, but the show quickly veers into new territory when a seemingly simple errand goes spectacularly awry.
The trouble begins when Linda, hoping to fulfill her dying mother’s last wish, asks her children to find a necklace like the one she cherished in her youth. Nicky and Morgan’s search leads them to a local shop, where Morgan spots the perfect piece. When the shopkeeper, Yusuf (Boran Kuzum), refuses to sell it, Morgan impulsively pockets the jewelry. Unbeknownst to her, she’s just stolen a diamond tennis necklace that’s the property of a local crime syndicate—a decision that will entangle the siblings in a series of increasingly dangerous and absurd situations.
As reported by TIME, the necklace’s true value becomes apparent only after it ends up around their grandmother’s neck—just in time for her funeral. With the jewelry now buried and the criminals demanding its return, Nicky and Morgan find themselves coerced into running illegal errands for the gang. The show’s comedic energy is fueled by this fish-out-of-water scenario, as the siblings attempt to navigate the criminal underworld while maintaining their respectable day jobs. Morgan, it turns out, has a knack for crime, much to the delight of the bumbling gangsters, while Nicky is a nervous wreck, reluctantly dragged along by his sister’s recklessness.
Levy’s character, Nicky, is a pastor at the local church—a well-liked figure in the community, but with his own secrets. He’s been hiding his relationship with his boyfriend, Tareq (Jacob Gutierrez), from both his congregation and his family. The church accepts Nicky as a gay man, but only under the condition that he remains celibate. This tension adds another layer to the show’s exploration of identity and belonging, as Nicky struggles to reconcile his faith, his job, and his love life. According to TIME, Tareq is growing impatient, urging Nicky to find a more progressive community, while Nicky remains torn between his commitments.
Morgan, meanwhile, is a teacher whose life hasn’t quite gone according to plan. After a failed attempt to make it big in New York, she’s settled for a stable, if unexciting, relationship with her high school sweetheart, Max (Jack Innanen). Yet, as the events of the series unfold, Morgan’s desire for excitement leads her further down a path of crime and chaos—a journey that reveals both her resourcefulness and her self-destructive tendencies. Ortega’s performance, shaped by Sennott’s comedic sensibility, brings a sharp, unpredictable energy to the role, making Morgan one of the show’s standout characters.
Linda, played with characteristic brilliance by Laurie Metcalf, is the family’s anchor. She’s a force of nature, balancing her mayoral campaign with the demands of her family and the emotional weight of her mother’s decline. Critics have praised Metcalf’s performance, noting that she “absolutely nails the vibe of someone in a local election.” Her dynamic with her children—particularly her hovering presence and subtle manipulations—adds depth to the family’s interactions, grounding the show’s more outlandish moments in genuine emotion.
Not all characters are equally fleshed out, however. Natalie, the youngest sibling and Linda’s campaign manager, remains something of an enigma by the season’s end. While Abby Quinn delivers a solid performance, reviewers have noted that Natalie’s character lacks clear direction, serving more as a plot device than a fully realized individual. There’s hope, though, that future seasons will give Natalie more room to grow, as the show continues to develop its ensemble cast.
Big Mistakes has drawn comparisons to Schitt’s Creek for its focus on family and small-town dynamics, but it distinguishes itself with its embrace of crime-comedy tropes. The series keeps viewers guessing, building suspense and delivering laughs in equal measure. Each episode escalates the stakes, as the siblings’ attempts to extricate themselves from the criminal world only dig them deeper into trouble. While some critics have taken issue with the plausibility of the gangster plot—citing generic villains and unresolved questions about the siblings’ ongoing servitude—the show’s real strength lies in its character-driven humor and heartfelt moments.
As TIME observes, “Big Mistakes can be perceptive and funny when it focuses on the chaotic family unit, especially when Metcalf is present. Nicky and Morgan’s banter is great.” The show shines brightest when it leans into the messiness of family life, using the crime storyline as a backdrop for exploring the bonds that hold the Gellers together. Whether it’s Nicky and Morgan’s bickering in the back of a kidnapper’s truck or Linda’s campaign against an obnoxious rival, the series finds humor and humanity in the most unlikely situations.
Despite its flaws, Big Mistakes has been warmly received by critics and audiences alike. The first season’s finale hints at a potential second season, one that might better integrate the crime and family elements and further develop its supporting characters. For now, though, Levy and Sennott’s creation stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of stories about imperfect families making the best of bad situations. As one reviewer put it, “Dan Levy is ridiculously talented at writing some messed up family dynamics, while keeping a tenderness that you don’t always expect.”
With its blend of sharp writing, memorable performances, and genuine heart, Big Mistakes is a worthy addition to the Netflix comedy lineup—and a reminder that even in the midst of chaos, family comes first.