The new series Big Mistakes asks viewers to recalibrate expectations. Fans who loved the gentle warmth of Schitt’s Creek will find a very different energy here: the show is a brisk, often suspenseful crime comedy that centers on two siblings who tumble into an illegal world they are ill-equipped to navigate. Co-created by Dan Levy and Rachel Sennott, and led on screen by Levy and Taylor Ortega, the series leans into chaos, dark humor and the collision between small-town life and criminal escalation.
At the heart of the series is the uneasy mix of family obligations and unexpected danger. Nicky Dardano (played by Dan Levy) and Morgan Dardano (played by Taylor Ortega) become entangled with a sprawling criminal network after a mistake that spirals out of control. Promotional materials call it ‘disorganized crime,’ and that phrase captures the show’s appetite for frantic improvisation, strange alliances and a tone that balances laughs with real peril. The result is a show that feels both reckless and carefully composed.
Family dynamics and the personal stakes
The Dardano family anchors the series’ emotional core even as the plot hurtles into darker territory. Linda, the grieving matriarch played by Laurie Metcalf, tries to keep her children tethered while campaigning to become mayor, a storyline that raises the stakes for every household choice. Natalie (played by Abby Quinn) is the dutiful, favored child whose closeness to Linda creates friction with her siblings. Morgan is a tired schoolteacher reconsidering a longtime relationship with her high school boyfriend, Max (played by Jack Innanen), and Nicky is a pastor who has publicly said he is gay but describes himself as nonpracticing, a compromise that complicates both his public role and his private relationship with Tareq (played by Jacob Gutierrez).
When the siblings fall into criminal activity, their ordinary familial tensions become amplified by genuine mortal danger. The show intentionally contrasts the mild anxieties of suburban adulthood—career stalls, parental approval, romantic uncertainty—with the life-or-death consequences of the underworld they inadvertently join. That contrast creates a steady current of surprise, where tender moments are earned and often undercut by sudden peril.
Tone, influences and genre choices
Big Mistakes deliberately moves away from the cozy tonal palette of earlier Levy work and embraces a darker, edgier voice. The series is still a comedy, but its humor often arrives through discomfort, timing and the absurdity of characters who are out of their depth. Influences from classic dark comedies are present, but the show forges its own identity by pairing fast-paced criminal plotting with close attention to character psychology. Those small human moments—a glance, a hesitant confession—punctuate the chaos.
Finding sweetness in unexpected places
Where many comedies are built on warmth, this show reserves emotional sweetness for rare, significant beats. These moments land more powerfully because they are scarce: when characters reveal vulnerability, the effect feels earned. As one of the creators framed it, the aim was to keep a strand of tenderness alive even as the series pursues thrills, ensuring the audience remains invested in who these people are beyond their mistakes.
Creation, casting and on-set chemistry
The creative partnership that shaped Big Mistakes brought complementary viewpoints to the table. Dan Levy developed the initial concept and sought a distinct female perspective for Morgan, leading to a collaboration with Rachel Sennott. On set, casting choices were guided not only by fit for the role but also by the performers’ ability to build a strong ensemble dynamic; the chemistry among the cast reads as effortless and was described by the creators as nearly fated. For the leads, that organic rapport translates into a believable sibling relationship with plenty of friction and affection.
Laurie Metcalf’s catalytic presence
The presence of Laurie Metcalf as the family matriarch had a catalytic effect on the production. Her commitment to the role pushed writers and actors to sharpen dialogue and performances. Metcalf’s ability to toggle between comic precision and emotional weight raised the stakes for every scene she inhabited, encouraging other cast members to elevate their work in response.
Beyond the performances, the show also uses the idea of being partially out as a thematic thread. Nicky’s status—open in some circles but constrained by expectations in others—allows the series to explore a modern iteration of the closet that is conditional rather than absolute. That exploration unfolds across the first season as Nicky negotiates faith, identity and honesty. For those curious about the tonal shift and the cast’s chemistry, Big Mistakes is streaming on Netflix April 9, offering a fresh, risky take on what a family comedy can become when it collides with organized chaos.