Dan Levy is finally back on our screens, and honestly? It’s about time.
The Schitt’s Creek mastermind has reunited with Netflix for a brand-new family crime comedy titled Big Mistakes, and the first trailer just dropped. If you’ve been craving the kind of witty, dysfunctional family chaos that Levy does better than almost anyone, this show looks like it will deliver in spades. Set to premiere on April 9, the eight-episode series follows two wildly incapable siblings who get blackmailed into the world of organized crime after a misguided theft for their dying grandmother goes terribly wrong.
But who is bringing this chaotic story to life? Levy has assembled an ensemble cast that blends comedy heavyweights, rising stars, and a few familiar faces that will make you do a double take. Let’s break down who’s playing whom in what might just be Netflix’s next big comedy obsession.
Dan Levy as Nicky: The Reluctant Criminal
Leading the charge is, of course, Levy himself, playing one half of the incompetent sibling duo. He stars as Nicky, who alongside his sister Morgan, finds himself tumbling down a rabbit hole of increasingly dangerous assignments that they are hilariously ill-equipped to handle .
This feels like a natural evolution for Levy. While David Rose was anxious about personal relationships and high-end customer service, Nicky is anxious about, you know, accidentally angering actual gangsters. Levy has described the sibling dynamic in Big Mistakes as “equally dysfunctional” as David and Alexis’ relationship, just with higher stakes. “Different book, same shelf,” he told Andy Cohen, which is honestly the best possible news for fans .
Taylor Ortega as Morgan: The Partner in Crime
If Levy is the brains of the operation (debatable), Taylor Ortega is the slightly unhinged heart. Ortega, who you might recognize from Welcome to Flatch or Ghosts, takes on the role of Morgan, Nicky’s sister and partner in accidental crime .
Levy has been incredibly vocal about his excitement for Ortega, boldly declaring that she is “going to become a household name” . If the trailer is any indication, her comedic timing is absolutely razor-sharp, and her chemistry with Levy feels immediate and natural. She brings a chaotic energy that perfectly balances Levy’s more restrained (but still panicked) performance.
Laurie Metcalf as Linda: The Mother of All Problems
Here’s where things get really exciting. Three-time Emmy winner Laurie Metcalf joins the cast as Linda, the mother of Nicky and Morgan . Metcalf is a living legend for a reason—whether you know her from Roseanne, Lady Bird, or her recent scene-stealing work in Hacks, she brings a specific blend of Midwestern grit and emotional vulnerability that few actors can match.
Levy himself put it best when he said, “It’s been my life’s mission to get to call Laurie Metcalf ‘mother’” . The idea of Metcalf playing the matriarch to these two disaster siblings is almost too perfect. Expect her to deliver some of the show’s most grounded moments—and probably its funniest deadpan reactions.
The Supporting Cast: Who Else Is in on the Chaos?
While the family trio forms the core of the show, the supporting cast is stacked with talent that suggests Big Mistakes will have depth to spare.
Jack Innanen (Adults, The Office Movers) joins as Max, a series regular whose role hasn’t been fully detailed yet, but given Innanen’s improv background, expect plenty of comedic relief .
Boran Kuzum, a Turkish actor known for Thank You, Next, plays Yusuf. His casting adds an interesting layer to the ensemble, hinting that the criminal underworld Nicky and Morgan stumble into might be more diverse—and more dangerous—than they realize .
Abby Quinn (Knock at the Cabin, Hell of a Summer) rounds out the main regulars as Natalie. Quinn has a knack for playing characters who are slightly off-kilter, which should fit right into Levy’s world .
Elizabeth Perkins (Weeds, Sharp Objects) has a recurring role as Annette. Perkins is a master of playing wealthy, slightly intimidating women, so it’s easy to imagine her as either a rival to the family or perhaps a figure from their past .
The cast also includes Jacob Gutierrez as Tare, Joe Barbara as Mike, Josh Fadem as Ashley, and Mark Ivanir (Emilia Pérez, Zero Day) as Ivan, plus Ilia Volok and Darren Goldstein in undisclosed roles . Fadem, in particular, is a welcome addition for Better Call Saul fans—his quirky energy is always a scene-stealer.
The Creative Brains: It’s Not Just Levy
One of the most exciting aspects of Big Mistakes is who Levy brought into the writers’ room. The series is co-created by Rachel Sennott, the breakout star of Bottoms and Bodies Bodies Bodies .
Sennott has a very specific brand of humor—irreverent, chaotic, and surprisingly sharp. Her involvement suggests Big Mistakes won’t just be Schitt’s Creek with guns. It will have a younger, more Gen Z-inflected edge to some of the comedy. She also serves as an executive producer, marking her first major TV project as a creator.
Other executive producers include Anne-Marie McGintee for Levy’s Not a Real Production Company, along with Dean Holland, Etan Frankel, and Timothy Greenberg .
What Does the Trailer Tell Us?
The official trailer, released in mid-March, gives us our best look yet at the show’s tone. We see Nicky and Morgan attempting what looks like a bungled jewelry heist, only to immediately find themselves in over their heads with some very scary people .
The visual aesthetic feels classic Levy—warm, stylish, and character-focused—but the stakes look genuinely higher. There are nods to classic crime comedies, but the dialogue snaps with the same wit that made Schitt’s Creek so rewatchable. If the trailer is any indication, Big Mistakes understands that the funniest moments come from characters who are genuinely terrified but trying to maintain their composure.
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Why This Cast Works
What makes this ensemble so promising is the range. You have Metcalf and Perkins representing a certain caliber of seasoned, award-winning talent. You have Levy bridging the gap between indie comedy sensibilities and mainstream heart. And you have Ortega, Quinn, and Innanen bringing fresh, unpredictable energy.
Levy has always had an incredible eye for casting—remember that Schitt’s Creek introduced us to both Annie Murphy and Emily Hampshire in ways that made them stars. It looks like he’s done it again. By the time April 9 rolls around, don’t be surprised if you’re seeing Taylor Ortega’s face all over your social media feeds .
Big Mistakes premieres on Netflix April 9. All eight episodes will drop at once, so clear your weekend accordingly.
