Dan Levy's Netflix Comedy 'Big Mistakes' Receives Stellar 95% Rotten Tomatoes Score
The creator of the beloved sitcom Schitt's Creek, Dan Levy, has returned to television with a new Netflix comedy series that is already garnering impressive critical acclaim. Big Mistakes, which premiered on the streaming platform on Thursday, April 9, has achieved a near-perfect 95 percent positive score on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.
Premise and Cast of the New Series
In Big Mistakes, Levy stars alongside Taylor Ortega as two hopelessly incapable siblings, Nick and Morgan, who find themselves blackmailed into the dangerous world of organized crime. The series also features acclaimed actress Laurie Metcalf in the role of their mother, Linda, adding depth and comedic timing to the ensemble.
The show was co-created by Rachel Sennott, who was originally slated to play Levy's sibling but had to withdraw due to her HBO comedy I Love LA being picked up for a series. Additional cast members include Jack Innanen, Boran Kuzum, and Abby Quinn, rounding out a talented lineup that has captivated both audiences and critics alike.
Critical Reception and Reviews
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the series has received 18 positive critics' scores with only one negative review, solidifying its status as a critical darling. Jenna Scherer of The AV Club praised the collaboration between Levy and Sennott, noting that their combined sensibilities create "a compelling blend of dark family comedy, crime caper, and character study."
Rachel Aroesti of The Guardian awarded the series three stars, highlighting the brilliance of the cast. She wrote, "Metcalf swings masterfully between steely authority and papery fragility, Levy is predictably charming and Ortega is downright hilarious."
Further acclaim came from NPR's Glen Waldon, who heaped praise on Laurie Metcalf's performance. "Metcalf's already earned four golden Emmy statuettes; she doesn't need yet another. But that doesn't change the fact that the work she's putting in on every episode of Big Mistakes is pure comedy gold," raved the critic.
Kathryn VanArendonk of Vulture offered insight into the show's tone, stating, "Even when it's not being sweet, or when Nicky and Morgan are sincerely terrified about what's happening to them, the criminal, drug-kingpin-related trappings around them are so heightened and silly that Big Mistakes can't help but come across as mostly a fun time."
Levy's Career and Legacy
Big Mistakes marks Dan Levy's second original scripted series following the monumental success of Schitt's Creek, which ran from 2015 to 2020 and won nine Emmy Awards across its six seasons. That series starred Levy alongside his father, Eugene Levy, the late Catherine O'Hara, and Annie Murphy as a dysfunctional wealthy family forced to live in a motel after losing their fortune.
Recently, Levy addressed the possibility of a Schitt's Creek sequel in light of O'Hara's passing in January at age 71 from a pulmonary embolism. In an interview with CBS News, he stated, "No. We can't. I was thinking about it. Yeah. It's tough. It's tough going back." He reflected on the memories of the show, adding, "It's an amazing thing to be a part of something that she loved so much. You know, it feels very special. It's what you have to hold onto, is the memories of it all."
With Big Mistakes now streaming on Netflix, audiences can enjoy Levy's latest comedic venture, which promises to deliver laughs, suspense, and heartfelt moments in equal measure, backed by a stellar cast and overwhelmingly positive reviews.
