It’s always fascinating to see someone create a show and star in it. Tina Fay famously did that with 30 Rock, while Donald Glover and Phoebe Waller-Bridge did it with Atlanta and Fleabag, respectively. The examples are endless, and now another great Hollywood talent has done the same (again). Dan Levy, best known for his role in Schitt’s Creek, is the boss and lead actor in Big Mistakes, a new comedy crime thriller on Netflix.

Levy is the right person to make a show and also star in it, as he has quite an impressive track record and resume. He is one of the few people to win Emmys for writing, directing, and acting. Dan Levy also knows what it takes to manage a show, having co-created Schitt’s Creek with his brother Eugene Levy and the cooking competition series, The Big Brunch. So what’s his new show about, and what makes it special?

Two Siblings Struggle Get Trapped in the Jaws of Blackmail in ‘Big Mistakes’

Nicky (Levy) is a closeted gay pastor in Big Mistakes. He has no intention of letting his congregants know about his sexuality, as he knows such a revelation will ruin the perfect career he has going. His sister, Morgan (Taylor Ortega), is an elementary school teacher who tends to self-destruct more often than the average person. Things get more interesting when their mother, Linda (Laurie Metcalf), an overbearing store owner running for mayor, orders them to buy a necklace for their grandmother since it’s her dying wish.

To simplify the matter, Morgan steals a diamond necklace from a local jewelry shop. It turns out the item is tied to a local crime syndicate, and it doesn’t take long for its members to link the crime to the siblings. Consequently, Nicky and Morgan get blackmailed into carrying out a series of dangerous criminal tasks. They are obviously not good at crime, and their incompetence often leads to a series of chaotic misadventures.

Big Mistake’s other characters include Natalie (Abby Quinn), Nicky, and Levy’s younger sibling, who is helping their mom launch her mayoral campaign. There’s also Elizabeth Perkins’ Annette, a no-nonsense local real estate mogul, Morgan’s immature boyfriend, Max (Jack Innanen), and Nicky’s secret boyfriend, Tareq (Jacob Gutierrez). He is a local handyman, quickly growing frustrated with being forced to hide their relationship.

The show, which premiered on Apr. 9, 2026, has turned out to be a global hit, peaking at position 7, per FlixPatrol. TelevisionStats further reveals that the eight-episode series is now the #1 most popular Netflix show, and has also taken top spot in the crime and comedy categories across the board. On Netflix, the series is closely followed by Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, Peaky Blinders, and One Piece.

Will ‘Big Mistakes’ Hit the Heights of ‘Schitt’s Creek’?

Not only has Big Mistakes become one of the most-watched shows of 2026, but it has also been received extremely well by viewers and critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has scored 80% on the critics’ meter and 73% on the Popcornmeter, proving that everyone is in agreement about its quality. Several critics note that the show is full of snappish dialogue that will blow your mind and that it’s one of the finest LGBTQ themed shows ever. They also praised Levy for understanding his audience (regarding storytelling) and for having great chemistry with his co-star. Some critics have called it out for being slow in some stretches, but these are the minority.

Given its great performance, Big Mistakes will likely be renewed for a second season. It’ll also be frequently compared to Levy’s other hit show, Schitt’s Creek. Whether it measures up remains to be seen. That particular comedy was nominated for a whopping 19 Emmys and still maintains a cult following. It was also awarded numerous other trophies, including two Screen Actors Guild Awards and 18 Canadian Screen Awards.

Netflix has been extremely successful with shows that blend crime and religion. Narco Saints, about a drug lord moonlighting as a preacher, is one of the best gangster shows you’ll see. Messiah, about a mysterious man whose followers claim him to be the eschatological return of Jesus, is excellent, too. Now all eyes are on Big Mistakes. Whether it surpasses Levy’s earlier work or not, his fans will forever appreciate him for sticking to what he knows… kinda like Taulor Sheridan. Levy is openly gay and has continued to address LGBTQ-related challenges.