Dan Levy’s Netflix Crime Comedy ‘Big Mistakes’ Wastes a Perfect Cast on a Lacking Plot: TV Review

Emmy-winning "Schitt's Creek" creator Dan Levy and "I Love L.A." creator Rachel Sennott have launched their new Netflix crime comedy series "Big Mistakes," which premiered globally on the streaming platform this week, aiming to blend chaotic humor with criminal intrigue but ultimately falling short of its potential. The show follows two siblings who become dangerously entangled in a bizarre criminal underworld, promising a genre-bending mix of comedy and thriller elements from its acclaimed creative team. The series represents Levy's first major project since the conclusion of his beloved sitcom "Schitt's Creek," which earned him multiple Emmys and established him as a master of character-driven comedy. Teaming with rising comedy writer Sennott, known for her sharp, contemporary humor, the collaboration generated significant anticipation among fans of both creators' previous work. Netflix positioned "Big Mistakes" as a flagship original comedy for its summer lineup, banking on Levy's proven track record and the growing popularity of genre-blending series. Despite its promising premise and talented cast, early critical reviews suggest the series struggles to balance its competing tones, with the chaotic narrative structure overwhelming character development and coherent storytelling. While the show delivers moments of genuine humor and features strong performances, particularly from its lead actors, critics note that the plot fails to provide sufficient substance to support the ambitious premise. The result is a series that feels like a missed opportunity, squandering its creative potential and talented ensemble on an underdeveloped storyline that never fully commits to either its comedic or thriller elements. The reception highlights the challenges of transitioning from critically acclaimed sitcoms to more ambitious genre projects, even for proven creators like Levy. As streaming platforms continue to invest heavily in original comedy content, "Big Mistakes" serves as a case study in how strong creative pedigrees and talented casts don't automatically guarantee successful execution when fundamental storytelling elements are neglected in favor of chaotic energy and stylistic experimentation.