Big Mistakes Netflix Review: Dan Levy's Crime Comedy

Netflix's Big Mistakes: Everything You Need to Know About Dan Levy's New Crime Comedy

Netflix dropped a brand-new crime comedy on April 9, 2026, and the internet is buzzing. Big Mistakes, co-created by Schitt's Creek Emmy-winner Dan Levy and rising comedy star Rachel Sennott (I Love L.A.), promises sibling chaos, Russian gangsters, and small-town New Jersey dysfunction — all wrapped up in eight half-hour episodes. But does the show live up to the pedigree of its creators and cast? Critics have weighed in, and the verdict is... complicated.

Here's a complete breakdown of what Big Mistakes is, who's in it, what critics are saying, and whether it's worth adding to your Netflix queue tonight.

What Is Big Mistakes About?

At its core, Big Mistakes is a crime comedy about two New Jersey siblings whose ordinary lives spiral into extraordinary danger after one ill-fated act of shoplifting. The story centers on Nicky (played by Dan Levy), a pastor quietly hiding his relationship with his boyfriend Tareq (Jacob Gutierrez) from his family and congregation, and his sister Morgan (Taylor Ortega), an elementary school teacher who makes the fateful decision to steal a necklace.

The problem? That necklace isn't just any trinket — it turns out to be real and valuable, belonging to a menacing Russian gangster named Ivan (Mark Ivanir). When Ivan discovers what's happened, he forces the siblings to become his reluctant criminal minions, setting off a chain of increasingly chaotic events.

Adding another layer of dysfunction to the mix is their mother Linda (Laurie Metcalf), who is simultaneously running for mayor of their New Jersey town, and their youngest sister Natalie (Abby Quinn), who is managing Linda's mayoral campaign. As The Guardian notes, the show leans into cringe comedy with gusto, building its humor from the collision of family drama, political ambition, and organized crime.

The Cast: A Stacked Lineup From Top to Bottom

One thing critics across the board agree on: the cast of Big Mistakes is exceptional. Dan Levy, who turned 42 this year, brings the same warmth and neurotic charm that made his work on Schitt's Creek so beloved. His portrayal of Nicky — a man living a double life while trying to keep his family from imploding — gives the show its emotional anchor.

But it's Laurie Metcalf as the politically ambitious Linda who steals scenes. An Emmy-winning legend known for her work on Roseanne and The Big Bang Theory, Metcalf brings gravitas and comedic timing to a role that could have easily been one-dimensional. Taylor Ortega holds her own as Morgan, the impulsive sister whose bad decision ignites everything, and Abby Quinn adds another dimension as the campaign-managing youngest sibling.

Rounding out the ensemble is Elizabeth Perkins, a multiple Emmy nominee for Weeds, in a supporting role that adds further star power to an already impressive lineup. As Variety observes, the assembled talent here is undeniable — which is precisely what makes the show's shortcomings more frustrating.

What Critics Are Saying: A Brilliant Cast, a Bumpy Ride

The critical consensus around Big Mistakes is one of admiration tinged with disappointment. Nearly every review praises the performances while expressing reservations about the plot's coherence and emotional depth.

Variety called it a case of a "perfect cast" being wasted on a "lacking plot," pointing to the show's chaotic narrative as its central flaw.

Yahoo Entertainment echoed this sentiment, describing the series as offering "plenty of mayhem but too little logic or heart." The review acknowledges the fun energy the cast generates but suggests the plot stretches credulity to a breaking point, undermining the emotional stakes the show seems to be reaching for.

Not everyone is so reserved, however. The Boston Globe was more enthusiastic, arguing that Big Mistakes "keeps the big laughs coming," suggesting that for viewers who value comedic energy over narrative tidiness, the show delivers real entertainment value.

Mashable found a middle ground, praising the "wild sibling hijinks" and calling the cast's chemistry a genuine pleasure to watch, even as it acknowledged the story's implausibility.

The throughline in nearly every review: if you love these actors, you will find things to enjoy. If you need your crime comedies to make logical sense, you may come away frustrated.

Dan Levy and Rachel Sennott: The Creative Force Behind the Show

The pairing of Dan Levy and Rachel Sennott as co-creators is one of the most intriguing aspects of Big Mistakes. Levy, of course, is best known for co-creating Schitt's Creek alongside his father Eugene Levy — a show that debuted in 2015 on Canadian network CBC before Netflix picked it up and turned it into a global phenomenon, culminating in a sweep of Emmy Awards including wins for all four lead actors.

Since Schitt's Creek, Levy has continued his relationship with Netflix. In 2023, he wrote and directed the film Good Grief for the platform, a more dramatic and personal project that showcased his range beyond comedy. Big Mistakes represents his return to television and to comedy, and the collaboration with Rachel Sennott — a sharp, fast-rising voice in contemporary comedy — signals a desire to push into edgier, more chaotic territory than Schitt's Creek occupied.

Sennott, known for her work on I Love L.A. and her scene-stealing film appearances, brings a more anarchic sensibility to the creative partnership. Together, the two seem to have set out to make something louder and more unpredictable — though critics suggest the results are uneven.

Is Big Mistakes Worth Watching?

Whether Big Mistakes is worth your time depends almost entirely on what you're looking for from a Netflix comedy. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Watch it if: You're a fan of Dan Levy and want to see him in a different kind of role — more harried, more morally compromised, and more physically comedic than his work in Schitt's Creek.
• Watch it if: Laurie Metcalf is on your automatic "must-see" list. Her performance as the mayor-aspiring Linda reportedly justifies the price of admission alone.
• Watch it if: You enjoy crime comedies in the vein of chaotic, ensemble-driven shows where the situations escalate faster than the characters can manage.
• Skip it if: You need your plots to be airtight and emotionally grounded. The criticism about implausibility is consistent enough across reviews that it's likely to bother viewers who prioritize story logic.
• Skip it if: You're hoping for another Schitt's Creek. This is a deliberately different kind of show — messier, more frenetic, and less interested in heart-warming character arcs.

At eight half-hour episodes, the investment is low. Even mixed reviews suggest the show is at least intermittently funny and consistently well-acted, making it a reasonable bet for a weekend binge.

Frequently Asked Questions About Big Mistakes

When did Big Mistakes premiere on Netflix?

Big Mistakes officially premiered on Netflix on April 9, 2026. Reviews from major outlets including Variety, Yahoo Entertainment, Mashable, The Boston Globe, and The Guardian were published simultaneously around the release date, with The Guardian running its review a day early on April 8.

How many episodes does Big Mistakes have?

The series consists of eight episodes, each running approximately half an hour. This makes it a compact, easy-to-binge watch across one or two sittings.

Is Big Mistakes related to Schitt's Creek?

Not directly — Big Mistakes is an entirely separate show with different characters and a different setting. However, it shares Dan Levy as a co-creator and star. Schitt's Creek debuted in 2015 on Canadian network CBC and later became a global hit through Netflix. Fans of Levy's comedic sensibility will recognize familiar elements in his performance, though the tone of Big Mistakes is considerably more chaotic and crime-focused.

Who plays the Russian gangster in Big Mistakes?

The Russian gangster Ivan is played by Mark Ivanir. His character becomes the central antagonist after discovering that the siblings have stolen his necklace, forcing them into increasingly dangerous criminal situations.

What has Rachel Sennott been in before Big Mistakes?

Rachel Sennott is best known for her work on the comedy series I Love L.A. and has appeared in several critically acclaimed films. She co-created Big Mistakes with Dan Levy and is widely regarded as one of the sharpest emerging comedic voices working in television and film today.

The Bottom Line

Big Mistakes arrives on Netflix as one of the more buzzed-about new comedies of 2026, carried by a genuinely exceptional cast and the creative pedigree of Dan Levy and Rachel Sennott. Critics are divided — some charmed by the wild energy and stellar performances, others frustrated by a plot that prioritizes chaos over coherence — but the conversation around the show is lively and enthusiastic.

For fans of ensemble crime comedies, Dan Levy, or Laurie Metcalf in particular, Big Mistakes is absolutely worth a look. Eight tight episodes means you can form your own opinion quickly, and there's enough talent on screen to make even an imperfect story entertaining. Whether it becomes Netflix's next must-watch hit or a cult favorite for character-performance enthusiasts, one thing is clear: this show is making some very big noise right out of the gate.