Dan Levy just dropped his first major TV release since Schitt’s Creek ended six years ago. Big Mistakes, now streaming on Netflix, reunites him with his signature storytelling magic, following two deeply dysfunctional siblings dragged into the criminal underworld. With a jaw-dropping 95% Rotten Tomatoes score, it’s already becoming one of Netflix’s fastest-climbing hits.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Release Date: Premiered April 9, 2026 on Netflix
- Episode Count: 8 episodes, TV-MA rating
- Critical Score: 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 7.1/10 on IMDb
- Trending Status: Already 4th most-watched show on Netflix after one day
The Plot That Started with a Necklace Gone Wrong
Nicky is an uptight pastor. His sister Morgan, a public school teacher, steals a necklace as a gift for their dying grandmother. That single act of petty theft spirals into chaos when blackmailers force them into the world of organized crime. Meanwhile, their overbearing mother Linda (played by legendary Laurie Metcalf) is mounting a run for mayor of their suburban New Jersey community.
What makes Big Mistakes genuinely genius is how Dan Levy balances high-stakes crime thriller elements with laugh-out-loud moments. The show proves Levy can handle dramatic action while keeping audiences rooted in the family dysfunction at its core. According to the official Netflix synopsis, this marks a completely new creative direction from his Emmy-winning work on Schitt’s Creek.
A Star-Studded Cast Brings Chaos to Life
Dan Levy stars, executive produces, and serves as showrunner on the series, co-created alongside writer Rachel Sennott. Taylor Ortega delivers a breakout performance as Morgan, finally getting her moment to showcase her full range as an actress. The ensemble rounds out with Canadian actor Jack Innanen and Turkish superstar Boran Kuzum in his first major American role.
Laurie Metcalf anchors the entire show as Linda, the gravitational center pulling everyone into her orbit. In interviews, Levy praised her as the key to making the series work, describing her as someone who brings such singular talent to every scene. Her performance elevates what could have been a standard mother figure into something genuinely compelling.
What Early Critics and Viewers Are Saying
| Metric | Score |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 95% (Critics) |
| IMDb User Rating | 7.1/10 (2,300+ votes) |
| Netflix Ranking | 4th most-watched after 1 day premiere |
| Release Window | All 8 episodes available now |
NPR called it a hilariously caustic comedy that drags viewers into organized crime chaos. Critics praised how Big Mistakes shifts seamlessly between dark humor and genuine stakes, proving that Levy’s creative vision extends well beyond Schitt’s Creek. The show has been described as grounded, human, and unpredictable, with performances that elevate every scene.
“It’s so different from Schitt’s Creek, and scratches such a different itch, but at the same time it’s an exploration of family. They’re both explorations of family, just in very different ways. And I like to describe this show as kind of like a different book on the same shelf.”
— Dan Levy, Creator and Star
Why This Show Matters for Dan Levy’s Career Right Now
Six years passed between Schitt’s Creek’s finale and Big Mistakes’ premiere. During that time, Levy directed his first film Good Grief, joined Sex Education’s final season, and hosted the Emmy Awards with his father Eugene Levy. Yet all along, he was waiting for an idea that sparked the same passion as his earlier work. Big Mistakes is that project. It represents Levy taking bold creative risks, moving beyond heartfelt family drama into crime thriller territory while maintaining his signature emotional depth.
The show’s success on Netflix proves that audiences are hungry for Levy’s next chapter. With 95% critical acclaim and strong viewer engagement, Big Mistakes confirms he’s not a one-hit wonder. He’s an evolving storyteller who refuses to repeat himself.
Is Season 2 Already on the Horizon for Big Mistakes?
As of the April 9 premiere, Netflix has not yet renewed Big Mistakes for Season 2. However, the show already ranks among the platform’s most-watched launches this year, and creator Dan Levy has teased darker directions the story could take if greenlit. He’s mentioned there’s truly no way out now for these characters going into a potential second season.
Given the critical praise and early audience numbers, renewal discussions are likely underway behind the scenes. Fans should expect an announcement within the next few weeks if Netflix wants to capitalize on this momentum. Either way, Season 1’s complete 8-episode story works as a satisfying standalone arc that introduces these characters perfectly.
Sources
- Netflix Tudum: Official Big Mistakes creator interview and show details
- NPR: Critical review of Big Mistakes premiered April 9, 2026
- The Independent: Rotten Tomatoes 95% critical score reporting
