Thomas Storai 
“Liz Feldman has crafted another great series filled with exciting twists and turns. No Good Deed is, at the same time, a fun, dark comedy and a deeply moving story. Lisa Kudrow delivers a sincere performance that deserves recognition.”
After Dead to Me, Liz Feldman is back with a new comedy series on Netflix. No Good Deed stars Lisa Kudrow, Ray Romano, Linda Cardellini, Luke Wilson, O-T Fagbenle and Teyonah Parris. The 8-episode series is now streaming on Netflix.
THE PREMISE
Lydia (Lisa Kudrow) and Paul (Ray Romano) decide to sell their 1920s Spanish-style villa in Los Angeles, but they struggle to hide the dark secrets that their home holds as multiple families race to buy what could be their dream house. The main characters are clearly Lydia and Paul but the story also spends time with the different families who try to buy this house. We get to know each of these characters and their motivation. Like the main couple, these families face their own struggles and secrets too, some have bigger troubles than others.
STORY
If you loved Dead to Me, you will undoubtedly love No Good Deed as well. They’re similar in so many ways. It’s a completely different story but the approach to tell it is the same. Feldman and her team of writers excel at dark humour and they know when to throw a good punchline. It’s not the type of comedy that will make you laugh out loud but it’s the kind of humour that will make you giggle. Sometimes, you will even be surprised at what is going on. Feldman doesn’t hold back on what she can do with these characters.
Moreover, this series is about a mystery – the dark secrets that linger inside Lydia and Paul’s house. This calls for some twists and surprises. Feldman knows exactly how to deliver on that. These are exciting surprises that definitely stick the landing. The twists affect the characters and the story in different ways. Because the characters have to face their own struggles, this series is not just about dark humour. Indeed, it’s actually a deeply moving story.
With Dead To Me, Feldman explored grief in a meaningful and heartfelt way. She does the same with No Good Deed. Grief is never easy, it can take many forms. It really impresses me how Feldman is able to write something that feels so genuine without going melodramatic. There is a good balance between the humour and the emotional side of the story. The series knows exactly when to hit you with the feels and when to lighten the mood.
CAST
Feldman has assembled a talented ensemble cast lead by Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano. Undoubtedly, we will always think of Phoebe in Friends when we think of Lisa Kudrow. It’s an iconic series and it was the role of a lifetime for her. But, we need to look at Kudrow’s performance in No Good Deed. It truly deserves recognition. She delivers her most serious performance to date while also being really funny. In fact, she has the best punchlines. The way she feels, the way she hurts, the way she delivers her lines, it all feels so natural and authentic. Lisa Kudrow is outstanding in this role.
Ray Romano delivers a more nonchalant performance which is where the humour comes from with his character. Furthermore, Luke Wilson is the right fit to play a failed soap opera actor. You can tell he had a lot of fun playing this role. Finally, Linda Cardellini excels at playing intense characters.
VERDICT
Liz Feldman has crafted another great series filled with exciting twists and turns. No Good Deed is at the same time a fun dark comedy and a deeply moving story. Lisa Kudrow delivers a sincere performance that deserves recognition.
No Good Deed is now streaming on Netflix.
Collectables and Anime Editor for Future Of The Force.
Star Wars expert and Japan connoisseur.
