Laurie Metcalf is balancing two very different Netflix roles that both center on complicated mothers, and both tap into the intensity she has long brought to stage and screen. In Netflix’s “Big Mistakes,” she plays Linda Morelli, a loud, forceful, mayoral candidate whose overbearing presence complicates the lives of her children, Nicky, played by Dan Levy, and Morgan, played by Taylor Ortega. Metcalf said she knew from the start that she was stepping into a meaningful role, telling Levy early on that she understood the pressure of being his “second TV mom,” a clear nod to Catherine O’Hara’s beloved performance as Moira Rose in “Schitt’s Creek.” While she did not want to imitate that dynamic, she hoped to bring the same kind of support and emotional force to Levy’s character, even as the new show pushed its own faster, more chaotic energy.
At the same time, Metcalf appears in Netflix’s “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” as Augusta Gein, the deeply religious mother of serial killer Ed Gein, played by Charlie Hunnam. It is one of the darkest roles of her career, and she said she did not want the character to be a simple portrait of evil. Instead, she and Hunnam worked to find traces of humanity and connection in the mother-son relationship, even while showing how Augusta’s influence helped shape Ed’s descent into darkness. Metcalf described the role as a responsibility, because the character is tied to the emotional and psychological forces behind the story rather than existing as a one-note villain.
Metcalf said both projects appealed to her because they gave her the kind of extended, performance-driven scenes she enjoys most. She compared the work to theater, saying long scenes let actors find momentum, rhythm and traction with one another. On “Monster,” she worked closely with director Max Winkler and Hunnam in a tight setting that allowed for experimentation and collaboration. On “Big Mistakes,” Levy and co-creator Rachel Sennott’s script gave her plenty of space for overlap, interruptions and physical movement, which helped the family dynamic feel immediate and alive.
She also reflected on earlier work, including her memorable turn in “Scream 2” as Debbie Salt, and said she remains drawn to highly opinionated characters who commit fully to every moment. That instinct, she suggested, still defines much of her work today. From comedy to horror, Metcalf continues to embrace roles that are messy, commanding and emotionally layered, making her one of the most distinctive performers working in film, television and theater.
