No Good Deed underscores a well-known reality: the Los Angeles housing market is fiercely competitive. Imagine not only grappling with a mortgage or upkeep on a stunning Spanish-style mansion, but also dealing with a site of a horrific crime, a sinister secret room, or bizarre neighbors. Potential buyers of the spacious, sunlit home on Derby Drive, owned by Paul (Ray Romano) and Lydia Morgan (Lisa Kudrow), face these added challenges. In the captivating premiere episode, as guests drift through during an open house, the couple secretly observes the visitors from a secluded room, munching on popcorn and eager to find the perfect family who can preserve the home and keep their dark secrets hidden.

At first, the series presents an enticing blend reminiscent of Desperate Housewives and Liz Feldman’s earlier project, Dead To Me, especially as several keen buyers become deeply involved in the Morgans’ lives, much like Judy’s involvement with Jen in DTM. Additionally, No Good Deed boasts a talented cast, including Dead To Me alumna Linda Cardellini, who delivers another robust performance. However, despite these elements, Feldman’s new Netflix series gradually disintegrates into a yawn-inducing affair, with underdeveloped scripts, a lack of tension, disjointed storylines that converge too late, and shallow character exploration.

This is particularly disappointing given Feldman’s proven talent for weaving dark personal narratives with a uniquely humorous touch. Dead To Me was both heartfelt and humorous, exploring the deep friendship between two women amidst personal trauma. No Good Deed struggles significantly to achieve a similar atmosphere, with the script failing to develop the emotional depth or sharp wit needed for an impactful delivery. Kudrow and Romano work hard to add complexity to their characters’ troubled marriage, but it’s not enough to save the faltering narrative.

The series tentatively explores Paul and Lydia’s deteriorating relationship following the death of their son three years prior. Through the act of selling their cherished home, No Good Deed examines Paul’s eagerness to leave and Lydia’s inability to relinquish the memories tied to the place where their children grew up. This emotional tug-of-war, coupled with their grief and myriad deceptions, has created a chasm between them that only a fresh start might bridge. Occasionally, the show succeeds in portraying how Paul and Lydia cope, but it often gets sidetracked by brief flashbacks and convoluted twists.

The supporting cast also seems underutilized, as each character scrambles to secure the desirable Derby Drive property. We meet persistent Leslie (Abbi Jacobson) and Sarah (Poppy Liu), who envision raising a family in their “dream home”; an expectant Carla (Teyonah Parris) and her new husband Dennis (O-T Fagbenle), who face similar aspirations hindered by his meddling mother (brilliantly portrayed by Anna Marie Horsford); and JD (Luke Wilson), a fading soap opera star looking to downsize and possibly enter the Yellowstone sphere.

While the performances are decent, Linda Cardellini shines as Margo, JD’s cunning trophy wife who adeptly uses her attractiveness and flirtation to manipulate those around her. She embodies a character starkly different from Dead To Me’s Judy. Yet, these three couples fail to ignite much excitement as they are burdened with simplistic character sketches. Even their secrets—Sarah’s fertility treatments, Carla’s family issues, Margo’s ulterior motives—fail to deliver dramatic results. Their story arcs feel forced, and the same can be said for No Good Deed’s choppy editing, which struggles to smoothly transition between the different interactions.

No Good Deed‘s greatest flaw, however, lies in its uninspired mystery element. The ongoing suspense surrounding the fate of Paul and Lydia’s son looms over the couple and the narrative. The eventual revelations are both unsatisfying and predictable for anyone closely following the plot. Beneath it all lies a weak commentary on the desire for belonging and establishing roots, even in an unaffordable home. Unfortunately, No Good Deed fails to effectively connect these themes, making it a dubious choice for viewers.

No Good Deed premieres December 12 on Netflix.