“Big Mistakes” is a 2026 Netflix crime–cringe comedy led by Dan Levy, following two New Jersey siblings whose impulsive theft drags their dysfunctional family into organized crime. Blending dark humor, moral chaos, and sharp family drama, the series stands out for Levy’s layered performance, a strong supporting cast, and its fearless mix of discomfort and heart, even when the plotting gets messy.
Dan Levy’s new Netflix series Big Mistakes takes the warm, character-driven sensibility he honed on Schitt’s Creek and hurls it into a darker world of crime, bad decisions, and weaponized awkwardness. From the opening minutes, this high-stakes family comedy leans hard into cringe, letting you squirm while you laugh at a suburban clan in free fall. If you’re wondering whether Big Mistakes is worth queuing up, this review breaks down the show’s tone, cast, themes, and who will love (or dislike) its brand of nervy chaos.
In this Big Mistakes review, we’ll unpack why Levy’s performance stands out, where the series soars, where it stumbles, and how its blend of crime and cringe stacks up against today’s crowded streaming landscape. You’ll also find practical guidance on whether to binge it, sample it, or skip it based on your tastes.
What Is Big Mistakes About?
Big Mistakes is a 2026 American crime comedy series created for Netflix by Dan Levy and Rachel Sennott. Across eight episodes, it follows two deeply out-of-their-depth siblings in New Jersey who stumble into organized crime after a small-time theft spirals out of control.
At the center is Nicky Morelli (Dan Levy), a neurotic but well-liked pastor whose church accepts him as a gay man as long as he remains celibate. His sister Morgan (Taylor Ortega) is a frustrated schoolteacher stuck in a long-term relationship and itching for something—anything—to change.
A seemingly impulsive theft of a necklace meant for their terminally ill grandmother pulls Nicky and Morgan into a local crime ring that starts blackmailing them for increasingly dangerous errands. While they try to maintain their “normal” lives, each new job drags them deeper into a world they’re hilariously unequipped to handle.
The Morelli Family Setup
- Linda Morelli (Laurie Metcalf): Overbearing matriarch, hardware store owner, and would‑be mayor of their New Jersey town.
- Nicky (Dan Levy): Anxious pastor juggling faith, family, and a secret boyfriend.
- Morgan (Taylor Ortega): Disillusioned teacher flirting with self-destruction via crime.
- Natalie (Abby Quinn): Highly organized sister managing Linda’s mayoral campaign.
The show pivots on the contrast between the family’s everyday suburban routines and the increasingly unhinged criminal chaos closing in on them.
Tone and Genre: Crime Meets Cringe
If you go into Big Mistakes expecting another cozy, redemptive hangout comedy, you’re in for a jolt. The series deliberately mashes together family sitcom dynamics with a pitch-black crime story, then layers cringe-heavy humor on top.
Critics have described Big Mistakes as uneven but undeniably bold: a show where clever dialogue, sharp character work, and frequent surprises collide with plotting that sometimes strains credibility. The crime elements—blackmail, drug runs, shady gangsters—feel genuinely dangerous, yet scenes often pivot into absurd bickering or painfully awkward encounters.
Cringe Comedy DNA
The cringe in Big Mistakes is rooted less in gross-out gags and more in:
- Social discomfort (church politics, small-town gossip, queer identity in a conservative community)
- Family conflict (adult children stuck in arrested development under a domineering mother)
- Moral compromise (watching Nicky and Morgan justify each new “little” crime)
If you enjoy shows like Fleabag or Barry, where humor and discomfort share the same frame, Big Mistakes feels like a natural next watch—though it doesn’t always reach those shows’ level of narrative precision.
Dan Levy Shines at the Center
Levy doesn’t just co-create Big Mistakes; he stars, showruns, and executive produces, essentially serving as the creative engine behind the series. His performance as Nicky Morelli is the show’s emotional anchor and one of its biggest selling points.
Nicky is a bundle of contradictions: a pastor who genuinely cares for his congregation but lies constantly, a man clinging to a moral code while ferrying contraband for gangsters. Levy leans into Nicky’s anxiety and self-awareness, creating a character who is both complicit and painfully conscious of his own hypocrisy.
Why Levy’s Performance Works
- Relatable vulnerability: Nicky’s panic attacks, half-baked plans, and awkward attempts at diplomacy feel painfully human.
- Sharp comedic timing: Levy’s dry line deliveries and reaction shots cut through some of the show’s more chaotic plotting.
- Emotional core: In quieter scenes with Morgan, their grandmother, or his boyfriend, Nicky grounds the story in genuine tenderness.
Even reviewers who find Big Mistakes structurally messy often single out Levy as the element that consistently works.
Supporting Cast and Standout Performances
Big Mistakes benefits from an unusually strong supporting cast, which helps sell its more outrageous twists.
Laurie Metcalf as Linda
Laurie Metcalf brings ferocious energy to Linda, the overextended matriarch trying to juggle her mayoral campaign, the family hardware store, and a terminally ill mother while suffocating her adult children. She can turn on a dime from heartfelt concern to cutting tirades, giving the show some of its most memorable moments.
Taylor Ortega as Morgan
Morgan might be the show’s most volatile character, and Ortega plays her with a mix of sarcasm, recklessness, and surprising competence once the crimes escalate. As the siblings’ criminal “handler” realizes she’s a natural at planning schemes, Morgan shifts from liability to unlikely asset—and Ortega makes that evolution believable.
Other Notable Players
- Abby Quinn as Natalie, the campaign-managing sister who treats local politics like a presidential race.
- Boran Kuzum and others as elements of the criminal underworld, alternating between menacing and bumbling.
- Judith Roberts as the caustic grandmother whose looming mortality pushes the family into worse decisions.
The ensemble’s chemistry, especially the bickering yet loyal dynamic between Nicky and Morgan, is one of Big Mistakes’ consistent strengths.
Writing, Structure, and Pacing
Big Mistakes is built as an eight-episode binge, with each 30-ish minute installment pushing Nicky and Morgan into deeper trouble. But how well does that structure hold up?
Some reviewers describe the show as uneven—a “mess” that’s still surprisingly watchable thanks to its cast and dialogue. The plotting can feel overstuffed, with new schemes, double-crosses, and subplots sometimes introduced faster than they can pay off.
Strengths in the Writing
- Clever, caustic dialogue that keeps even exposition scenes lively.
- Strong character beats that reveal family history and emotional stakes through arguments, not monologues.
- Tonal swings that create genuine surprise; a heartfelt moment can snap into a disaster in seconds.
Weak Spots
- Plot holes and logic gaps that become more noticeable if you’re watching with a scrutinizing eye.
- Repetition of the “middle-class millennials in way over their heads” joke, which can feel familiar by the later episodes.
- Occasional pacing lulls in mid-season when the show seems unsure whether to steer more into crime thriller or family dramedy.
If you’re willing to ride out the chaos rather than dissect every twist, the dialogue and performances will likely outweigh the structural flaws.
Themes: Family, Faith, and Failure
Underneath the crime capers and cringe humor, Big Mistakes is fundamentally about how ordinary people rationalize terrible decisions. Instead of following a path of redemption like Schitt’s Creek, the series charts a family descending into moral compromise.
Family Loyalty vs. Self-Preservation
- Nicky and Morgan repeatedly choose to protect each other, even when it makes their situation worse.
- Linda’s need to control her children clashes with her political ambitions and image management.
- The grandmother’s illness becomes both a genuine emotional weight and a twisted justification for escalating crimes.
Faith, Identity, and Hypocrisy
Nicky’s position as a pastor in a church that accepts his sexuality only under celibate conditions creates a persistent tension. His secret relationship and criminal behavior force him into constant compartmentalization, raising questions about:
- What genuine faith looks like under social pressure
- How institutional religion treats LGBTQ+ people
- The mental toll of leading a double life
The show doesn’t offer tidy answers, but it uses Nicky’s crisis to deepen the cringe—from awkward sermons to near-confessions that stop just short of honesty.
How Cringe Is Big Mistakes Really?
If you’re sensitive to secondhand embarrassment, the level of cringe in Big Mistakes may be a key deciding factor. The series frequently leans into scenes that are designed to make you squirm.
Examples include:
- Church situations where Nicky lies on the fly to cover criminal activity.
- Family blowups during campaign events, turning public appearances into emotional car crashes.
- Crime jobs that go sideways because Nicky and Morgan are too busy arguing to stay focused.
However, the show tempers this discomfort with sweeps of dark humor and flashes of genuine warmth, so the cringe rarely feels gratuitous. It’s more about watching people in emotional free fall than humiliating them for sport.
If you could handle the most awkward episodes of The Office but wished for higher stakes and more emotional complexity, Big Mistakes might hit the right balance.
Who Will Love Big Mistakes (and Who Won’t)
To help you decide if Big Mistakes belongs in your watchlist, here’s a quick at-a-glance guide.
Ideal Audience
You’re likely to enjoy Big Mistakes if you:
- Loved Schitt’s Creek but are open to a darker, edgier tone.
- Enjoy crime comedies like Barry or Good Girls where regular people get dragged into illegal schemes.
- Appreciate character-driven shows with strong sibling dynamics and messy families.
- Don’t mind some narrative looseness as long as the dialogue and performances are sharp.
Probably Not for You If…
You may want to skip Big Mistakes if you:
- Prefer tidy plotting and airtight logic in crime stories.
- Dislike cringe comedy or secondhand embarrassment.
- Want another feel-good comfort show rather than something morally murky and emotionally fraught.
- Are sensitive to dark humor involving illness, death, or religious institutions.
Where to Watch and Release Details
Big Mistakes is a Netflix original series and is currently available to stream worldwide on the platform. The show premiered on April 9, 2026, with all eight episodes released at once, making it binge-ready from day one.
Key details:
- Network: Netflix
- Season 1 episodes: 8
- Genre: Crime comedy / Dark family dramedy
- Created by: Dan Levy and Rachel Sennott
For official updates, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content, you can check the show’s page on Netflix Tudum and coverage on major entertainment outlets such as TIME and The Hollywood Reporter.
Pro Tips and Expert Insights
To get the most out of Big Mistakes, it helps to approach it with the right expectations and viewing strategy.
Pro Tips for Viewers
- Start with at least two episodes: The pilot sets up tone and stakes, but episode two better showcases the show’s rhythm and sibling dynamic.
- Treat it as a dark dramedy, not a comfort comedy: This reduces disappointment if you come in expecting another Schitt’s Creek.
- Watch with someone who likes to analyze character choices: The fun often comes from debating whether Nicky and Morgan’s latest decision was inevitable or avoidable.
For Fans of Dan Levy
If you’re watching specifically for Levy:
- Pay attention to the quieter scenes in the church or at home; they showcase his range far beyond his more flamboyant turns as David Rose.
- Compare how Big Mistakes handles themes of identity and family versus Schitt’s Creek and Levy’s film Good Grief.
For Cringe Comedy Enthusiasts
Big Mistakes rewards viewers who enjoy layered discomfort:
- The cringe often reveals character truths, especially around how the family avoids hard conversations until they explode.
- When scenes feel almost unbearable, notice what they’re saying about small-town expectations, religious pressure, and millennial stagnation.
FAQ: Big Mistakes
1. What is Big Mistakes about?
Big Mistakes follows siblings Nicky and Morgan Morelli, who are blackmailed into working for gangsters after a seemingly minor theft, forcing them to juggle criminal errands with their “respectable” lives.
2. Who created Big Mistakes?
The series was created by Dan Levy and Rachel Sennott, with Levy also serving as showrunner and executive producer.
3. Where can I watch Big Mistakes?
Big Mistakes is available exclusively on Netflix as a streaming original series.
4. How many episodes does Season 1 have?
Season 1 consists of eight episodes, each roughly 30 minutes long.
5. Who stars in Big Mistakes?
The main cast includes Dan Levy as Nicky, Taylor Ortega as Morgan, Laurie Metcalf as Linda, and Abby Quinn as Natalie, among others.
6. Is Big Mistakes a straight comedy or a drama?
It’s a crime comedy with strong dramedy elements, blending dark humor, emotional family moments, and crime-thriller tension.
7. How “cringe” is Big Mistakes?
The show leans into cringe via social discomfort, family blowups, and moral compromises rather than shock humor, so expect frequent secondhand embarrassment with emotional stakes attached.
8. Is Big Mistakes similar to Schitt’s Creek?
It shares Levy’s focus on flawed families and character-driven humor but is much darker, more chaotic, and less overtly feel-good than Schitt’s Creek.
9. Is Big Mistakes LGBTQ+ inclusive?
Yes. Nicky is a gay pastor navigating a conservative church’s expectations and a secret relationship, and the show uses his story to explore identity, hypocrisy, and acceptance.
For broader context on LGBTQ+ representation in media, resources like GLAAD’s reports provide useful background.
10. Is Big Mistakes suitable for families?
Because of its crime themes, language, and mature subject matter, Big Mistakes is better suited to adult audiences rather than family viewing.
11. Is Big Mistakes based on a true story?
No, Big Mistakes is a fictional series, though it draws on familiar tropes of suburban crime and dysfunctional families.
12. Will there be a Season 2?
As of now, Netflix has not officially confirmed renewal or cancellation; viewers should watch for updates via Netflix’s official news channels and entertainment press.
13. How have critics responded to Big Mistakes?
Critical reception is mixed to positive: many praise the cast, dialogue, and bold tone but note plot holes and tonal unevenness. Aggregate review sites like Metacritic offer a snapshot of current scores.
14. Is Big Mistakes binge-worthy?
If you enjoy dark, character-driven comedies and can tolerate a degree of narrative messiness, it’s a very bingeable eight-episode run.
15. How long is each episode?
Episodes run around 30 minutes, making the season approachable in a weekend or even a long evening binge.
16. Who should absolutely watch Big Mistakes?
Fans of Dan Levy, lovers of crime comedies with emotional depth, and viewers who enjoy cringe-heavy, morally complicated family stories should give it a try.
17. Is the show internationally available?
As a Netflix original, Big Mistakes is generally available in most regions where Netflix operates, though availability can vary by territory and licensing. For regional details, Netflix’s Help Center at help.netflix.com provides up-to-date availability information.
18. Does Big Mistakes address real social issues?
Yes, it touches on themes like LGBTQ+ acceptance in religious communities, small-town politics, and economic stagnation, though always through the lens of dark comedy rather than issue-driven drama.
19. Are there content warnings I should know about?
The show includes criminal activity, strong language, discussions of illness and death, and emotionally intense family conflicts, which some viewers may find challenging.
Conclusion: Should You Watch Big Mistakes?
Big Mistakes is not a flawless series, but it is a memorable one: a bold crime‑family cringe comedy that showcases Dan Levy at his most daring and emotionally layered. The writing sometimes stumbles and the plotting can be messy, yet the combination of a stellar cast, sharp dialogue, and thematically rich discomfort makes it stand out in an overcrowded streaming landscape.
If you’re open to a darker, more chaotic evolution of Levy’s work—and you can handle watching characters spiral through terrible decisions—Big Mistakes is absolutely worth at least a two-episode trial run.
For more entertainment stories around offbeat, fan‑favorite performers, you may also enjoy this deep dive on Aubrey Plaza’s personal life and career: Aubrey Plaza & Chris Abbott Relationship Timeline: From Co-Stars to Parents-to-Be.