Jack Innanen Channeled His Inner “Whiny Man-Child” for ‘Big Mistakes’

Actor and former TikTok creator Jack Innanen has detailed his process of channeling a "whiny man-child" to play the role of Max in the new Netflix crime-comedy series 'Big Mistakes,' which premiered in April 2026. The 27-year-old Canadian performer, who gained initial fame through absurdist comedy skits on social media, was cast by co-creator Dan Levy after Levy saw his performance as the charmingly naive Paul Baker in the FX series 'Adults.' Innanen embraced the role of Max, the oblivious boyfriend to Taylor Ortega's character Morgan, by deliberately leaning into the character's lack of awareness to create an endearing, if frustrating, figure within the show's chaotic plot. Innanen's journey to acting was unconventional. Initially studying astrophysics in university, he experienced a crisis in his second year and pivoted to social media content creation, eventually realizing he could build a career from comedy. His breakout role in 'The Office Movers' led to 'Adults,' which in turn caught the attention of Dan Levy. For 'Big Mistakes,' Innanen employed a specific strategy to embody Max's oblivious nature, often limiting his script reading to only his own scenes to maintain the character's genuine confusion about his girlfriend's involvement in organized crime. This method allowed him to authentically portray Max's perspective, where Morgan's erratic behavior seems unprovoked and confusing. The actor highlighted several key scenes he is excited for audiences to see, including a violent penthouse shoot-out and a major plot twist involving his character's mother, Annette, revealed to be a drug cartel leader. Innanen remained coy about whether Max is aware of his mother's criminal empire, suggesting it leaves narrative room for a potential second season. Looking ahead, he expressed a desire to explore darker, more dramatic roles akin to projects by filmmakers like Jordan Peele, while still cherishing his comedic roots. He also confirmed that the upcoming second season of 'Adults' will explore themes of love and relationships in one's twenties, promising even greater humor than the first.