Netflix’s New 8-Part Comedy Gives Laurie Metcalf Her Official The Conners Replacement

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This article includes minor spoilers for Big Mistakes season 1!

While Laurie Metcalf is famous for her role in the comedy The Conners, she now has another excellent show: a new crime-comedy on Netflix. She first became well-known playing Jackie Harris on Roseanne from 1988 to 1996. She reprised that role in 2018 for what was planned as a revival of the show. However, due to issues with Roseanne Barr, the series faced cancellation.

After Roseanne’s exit, other characters on The Conners had a chance to stand out. With less focus on the former main character, people like Jackie received more screen time and development. When the show concluded in 2025, many wondered what Jackie’s future held.

Most people know Metcalf from her work in comedy shows, so it was unexpected to see her take on such diverse roles recently. She’s played a wide range of mothers – Ed Gein’s mother in Monster, the mother of a gifted musician in Everybody Digs Bill Evans, and even a murderous mother in Scream 7.

Laurie Metcalf is known for her talent in every role, but viewers of The Conners have especially missed seeing her in a funny role. Fortunately, her new show, Big Mistakes, delivers just that. The series centers around two flawed siblings, Morgan and Nicky, who are forced to work for a criminal after being blackmailed. Metcalf plays their unpredictable mother, Linda, in this darkly humorous show, and fans of The Conners are sure to love her performance.

Laurie Metcalf’s Performance Is The Best Part Of Netflix’s Big Mistakes

While I had many criticisms of the show Big Mistakes in my review for ScreenRant, I did really appreciate the actors. The entire cast is talented, but Boran Kuzum and Laurie Metcalf were particularly impressive – one is a rising star, and the other is a well-established acting icon.

Dan Levy realized he needed to improve the writing when Laurie Metcalf joined the cast. He explained that her presence elevates everyone’s work, saying, “She makes you better. She’s incredibly talented, and as a writer, it pushed me to make sure the script was as good as it could be. You want everything to be perfect when someone like Laurie Metcalf is involved.”

While the story as a whole might not have fully succeeded, the character of Metcalf was definitely a success.

Linda, played by Laurie Metcalf, is a mother who’s often harsh and tends to create conflict between her kids. Most actors would make her unlikable, but Metcalf’s brilliant comedic skills and ability to convey genuine emotion make Linda a surprisingly compelling and enjoyable character to watch.

Linda is hilarious and quick with a funny comeback, always able to perfectly respond to the craziness around her. There’s even a scene where she fiercely defends her son, throwing a punch while still wearing face paint from a kids’ party!

Additionally, Laurie Metcalf delivers a powerful scene near the end of Big Mistakes that elevates her character, Linda, from simply funny and endearing to someone deeply empathetic and complex. As her past is unveiled, her imperfections become much more understandable.

Laurie Metcalf Has A History Of Playing Comedically Dysfunctional Characters

Linda is deeply flawed and often struggles in her role as a mother, but she consistently rises to the occasion when her children need her most. Laurie Metcalf brilliantly portrays these struggles with a comedic touch, and this kind of character isn’t unfamiliar territory for her.

Laurie Metcalf excels at playing flawed and complex characters. Her role as Jackie Harris in Rosanne and The Conners perfectly embodies insecurity and neurotic behavior. She consistently brings a comedic touch to even the most troubled characters, as seen in Lady Bird. And in Getting On, her portrayal of Dr. Jenna James is both selfish and entertaining.

It really frustrates me that Laurie Metcalf doesn’t get the awards recognition she deserves for her comedic work, except when it comes to Hacks and Roseanne. I truly believe she’s a comedic genius and should be celebrated much more!

Laurie Metcalf Makes The Most Unlikable Characters Into Fan-Favorites

Despite her many talents, what truly makes this actor special is her ability to make even the most unpleasant characters lovable. I was initially put off by her character’s harshness in Big Mistakes, but she quickly won me over. Similarly, though Debbie Salt is a truly awful villain in Scream, she’s become a fan favorite as Ghostface.

Though Mary Cooper could be overbearing and intensely religious, Laurie Metcalf portrayed her in a way that made fans still enjoy her appearances on The Big Bang Theory. Similarly, Marjory McCarthy plays a mother who clearly favors one child over another, but she’s a scene-stealer. Overall, Big Mistakes proves that, even after nearly 50 years in the industry, she continues to deliver fantastic performances.

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2026-04-10 18:41