How a Netflix crime comedy navigated a major casting shift to find its rhythm
In short: When creators Dan Levy and Rachel Sennott first conceived the crime comedy Big Mistakes, it was designed as a starring vehicle for the duo. However, a scheduling conflict forced a creative pivot. The resulting series, which premiered in 2026, transformed into a sharp, well-received exploration of family and organized crime.
The development of Big Mistakes began in May 2025 when Netflix picked up the project as part of an overall deal with Dan Levy. Initially, Levy and Sennott planned to play the central siblings themselves. This vision shifted when Sennott’s HBO project, I Love LA, was greenlit, making her participation impossible. This necessitated a significant casting search, eventually leading to Taylor Ortega stepping into the sister role by early March 2025.
The show centers on two directionless siblings, Nicky and Morgan, who find themselves coerced into the dangerous world of organized crime. The production, helmed by Levy as showrunner and lead actor, features a sprawling ensemble cast including Laurie Metcalf as the siblings' mother, alongside recurring roles played by actors such as Elizabeth Perkins and Jacob Gutierrez. Principal photography for the series commenced in New Jersey in August 2025, with Dean Holland directing the opening two episodes.
Upon its release on April 9, 2026, the series received a generally positive reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an 80% approval rating based on 55 reviews, with critics praising its witty take on the family crime drama genre. Metacritic reports a weighted average score of 65 out of 100, reflecting generally favorable critical sentiment. Following this successful debut, Netflix officially renewed the series for a second season in May 2026, signaling confidence in the show's future trajectory despite the early development hurdles.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Big Mistakes
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