SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers from the first season of “No Good Deed,” which is currently streaming on Netflix.

In the gripping series “No Good Deed” on Netflix, the concept of home becomes particularly haunting, as it serves as the very site of a murder. Despite this dark history, the new owners of the Derby Drive residence are undeterred and move in, ready to begin their new lives. This juxtaposition of home and horror is a recurring theme that highlights the complexities of what a home represents—safety, warmth, and unfortunately, sometimes tragedy.

As the season finale unfolds, viewers witness a significant turning point for parents-to-be Sarah (Poppu Liu) and Leslie (Abbi Jacobson). Their successful bid for the Los Feliz home comes after a series of unexpected events triggered by Leslie’s overzealous lawyer instincts. This inadvertently leads sellers Lydia (Lisa Kudrow) and Paul (Ray Romano) to confront the painful truth behind their son’s death. The long-held secret they believed was a tragic accident—where they thought their daughter Emily (Chloe East) had accidentally shot her brother Jacob (Wyatt Aubrey)—is not the complete story. In fact, the fatal shot was delivered by their neighbor Margo (Linda Cardellini), who was entangled in a scandalous affair with Jacob, complicating the narrative of betrayal and loss.

On that fateful evening, Margo discovered Jacob in her bedroom, dressed in a ridiculous burglar outfit complete with a ski mask, attempting to reclaim stolen jewelry he had previously given her. Unwilling to let go of her lavish lifestyle, Margo confronted Jacob, demanding he keep silent about their affair. When he refused to comply, she shot him in a moment of desperation. Tragically, her bullet struck him before Emily’s shot, which was fired in pure panic as she thought a burglar was breaking into their home, further complicating the narrative of guilt and innocence.

The revelation of the true events brings a profound sense of relief to Emily’s parents, who have been grappling with overwhelming grief since that tragic night. While the loss of their son Jacob remains a heart-wrenching reality, discovering that Emily was not responsible for his death allows them to begin the long process of healing. This newfound understanding motivates them to move on and sell the house to Sarah and Leslie, despite the fact that they were not the original buyers intended by creator Liz Feldman. The first couple that viewers meet as they explore the home had actually been the initial winners in the bidding war.

As Feldman reveals, there was a brief cameo in the pilot featuring her dear friend Vanessa Bayer, who played a couple referred to in the script as the “bougie couple.” These characters were designed to be unlikable, as viewers could sense their emotional detachment from the home-buying process. Initially, Feldman envisioned a storyline where the house ended up with this couple, conveying the idea that it was merely a transaction—a change of ownership devoid of emotional significance. This was the rationale behind casting Bayer in that role, illustrating the contrast between the superficiality of this couple and the depth of the story surrounding the house.

However, as the narrative evolved, Feldman and her team began to see the home on Derby Drive as a character in its own right, deserving of a fulfilling resolution. “In order to give the house that happy ending, we felt that handing it over to Leslie and Sarah allowed the home to heal in a sense,” Feldman explains. “They understand the full story and the truth about what transpired there. Often, we associate darkness with a home where tragedy has occurred, but once we come to terms with the truth, it can bring light back into that space.”

The narrative of secrets extends beyond Paul and Lydia’s household. Margo’s increasingly desperate attempts to maintain her extravagant lifestyle and false identity ultimately catch up to her. After a particularly reckless incident where she attempts to portray herself as a victim in a domestic abuse case, her estranged husband JD (Luke Wilson) retaliates by setting their house ablaze while she relaxes in a bubble bath upstairs. Miraculously, Margo escapes the inferno, showcasing her resilience. Feldman describes this outrageous ending as fitting, considering Margo’s history of unfortunate mishaps involving fire. However, despite the dramatic conclusion—where Margo is left with severe burns reminiscent of a certain iconic comic book villain—Feldman was cautious not to let her character slip too far into caricature.

“Linda is such a talented actress that I wanted to ensure the role retained its depth and complexity, avoiding a simplistic portrayal,” Feldman remarks. “In fact, we frequently joked about avoiding ‘moustache-twirling’ moments in the writers’ room, which became our code for when a scene crossed into absurdity.”

Feldman previously collaborated with Cardellini on her earlier series “Dead To Me,” where her character Judy often exhibited selflessness to her own detriment. During the filming of one particularly poignant scene in Season 3, Feldman recalls Cardellini expressing her desire for a change in roles.

“We were mid-scene where Judy was engaged in a typically selfless act, likely putting herself in danger for someone else, when Linda suddenly declared, ‘The next character I play needs to be a badass bitch,’” Feldman recalls fondly. “I adore Linda, and we have a fantastic working rapport, so I thought it would be exciting to create a character that embodies this fierce energy within the Los Angeles real estate scene.”

However, Feldman is quick to clarify that she doesn’t categorize Margo as a traditional villain. “I dislike the term ‘villain,’ although there are certainly elements of psychopathy present in certain individuals in Los Angeles. It was thrilling to explore those darker aspects of human nature and delve into how low someone might stoop.”

In the wake of these shocking revelations, Paul and Lydia manage to reconnect after a season of navigating their profound grief over Jacob’s death. In the series’ final scene, they join Emily at one of her musical performances, where she plays a heartfelt song composed by Jacob, with lyrics crafted by her. This moment marks a poignant reunion, as Lydia takes her place at the piano once more, symbolizing their return to a semblance of normalcy and togetherness.

“We believed it was essential for them to achieve catharsis,” Feldman explains. “They needed to confront their deepest frustrations and truths about each other’s grieving processes rather than continuously shielding one another’s feelings, which only stifled their own emotions. In crafting a near-happy ending for them, it became imperative for them to address the aspects of one another that had been most troubling, which ultimately stemmed from how each was coping with the tragic loss of their son.”

However, Feldman cautions that while the Morgans may have found a path toward forgiveness, it does not necessarily equate to forgetfulness. “If they were to reappear in the future, that unresolved tension could certainly resurface,” she hints, leaving the door open for future storylines.

In an insightful discussion with Feldman regarding the season, it becomes evident that she has already contemplated the next chapter of this intricate story, even though Netflix has yet to confirm a second season. When asked about potential future residences for Paul and Lydia, she coyly responds, “That’s an intriguing question, but I won’t divulge specifics, as you never know what may arise in a Season 2.”

The same vagueness applies to the future of Dennis (O-T Fagbenle) and Carla (Teyonah Parris). They opted not to purchase the Morgans’ home and are now focused on constructing a new residence on the lot previously occupied by the now-demolished home of JD and Margo. With their son’s arrival, Dennis working on his second book, and coming to terms with his complicated family history, they appear to be settling into a comfortable routine. However, tensions arise as Dennis secretly accepts a $5 million check from Carla’s wealthy father, complicating their lifestyle choices and inviting potential conflict.

“We often become the traits in our parents that we resent the most, ultimately bringing us closer to understanding them,” Feldman reflects. “This could be perceived negatively, but it may also represent a way for Dennis to connect with his mother through shared experiences and mistakes.”

The finale certainly sets the stage for exciting developments in a potential Season 2. JD finally lands a role in a project reminiscent of “Yellowstone,” aptly titled “Teton Territory.” Observant viewers may even spot Feldman in a brief cameo as the show’s director. Meanwhile, Paul’s brother Mikey (Denis Leary) reunites with his police officer son Nate (Kevin Alves), who happens to be the one to arrest Margo in the season’s climactic moments. Additionally, Greg the realtor (Matt Rogers) is all smiles with a lucrative commission from the Morgans, and the inquisitive neighbor Phyllis (Linda Lavin, a character specifically crafted for her by Feldman) has plenty of gossip to share with the new residents.

“I will say that I always envisioned a Season 2, and I believe this show has the potential for longevity if executed thoughtfully,” Feldman asserts. “I am eager to discuss plans with Netflix, as they are aware of my ideas. I genuinely believe this show has more stories to tell, and I hope we get the opportunity to explore them.”
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