Dan Levy, the Emmy-winning creator and star of the global hit “Schitt’s Creek,” is stepping back into the world of episodic comedy with a new project that trades small-town charm for the high-stakes tension of organized crime. Currently filming on location in New Jersey, Levy is preparing for the release of “Big Mistakes,” a sitcom co-created with Rachel Sennott for Netflix.
The series marks a significant creative pivot for Levy, who is leaning into a personal anxiety to drive the narrative. He describes the premise as being born from a “fear that I have of being trapped,” noting that he deeply values his own freedom. In “Big Mistakes,” that fear is externalized through a New Jersey pastor and his sister, a teacher, who identify themselves accidentally entangled with a criminal organization.
Levy’s approach to the new series is rooted in self-deprecation. He noted that if he were actually tasked with assisting a criminal syndicate, he would be “the biggest liability,” a realization he found to be a “very funny place to start” for a comedic premise.
Casting and the Pressure of a “Crown Jewel”
Building the ensemble for “Big Mistakes” involved a mix of fresh chemistry and seasoned talent. Taylor Ortega stars as the sister to Levy’s pastor, a pairing Levy attributes to an innate professional spark. He described Ortega as “brilliant,” stating that chemistry is an essential element that “you either have with somebody or you don’t.”
However, Levy views the addition of Laurie Metcalf to the cast as his most significant casting achievement. Bringing Metcalf on to play the siblings’ mother provided a layer of security for the production. Levy expressed confidence in the veteran actress’s abilities, remarking that “even if everything else fails, she will be great.”
This new venture comes after the unprecedented success of “Schitt’s Creek,” which swept all seven major comedy awards at the Emmys during its final season. For many creators, such a peak would create an oppressive standard for future work, but Levy has consciously decided to ignore the comparison. He believes It’s necessary to “lock the door” on the success of his previous work to avoid the trap of trying to outdo a “crown jewel.” For Levy, the priority for this new series is creating something that makes him “feel good” rather than something that merely satisfies a legacy.
From MTV Canada to Showrunning
While “Schitt’s Creek” established him as a writer-performer, Levy’s path to showrunning was unconventional. Before writing for television, he spent eight years as a VJ for MTV Canada in Toronto. Despite the public-facing nature of the role, Levy recalls struggling with social anxiety and nervousness, which led him to believe he was not a “good VJ” because his primary job was to interview others.
However, those years provided a practical education in the mechanics of production. Levy credits his time at MTV for teaching him how to write for himself, edit, produce, and handle the camera. He views this period as the foundational training that “prepared me for the totality of what it is to demonstrate-run.”
That preparation eventually led to the development of “Schitt’s Creek” alongside his father, Eugene Levy. The show’s provocative title was a point of contention for many in the industry, but it was a non-negotiable for the Levy family. Eugene Levy, along with Martin Mull, helped solidify the name. Dan Levy recalls that while many people advised against it, he and his father remained adamant, arguing that any alternative, such as “Family Misfortune,” would have been far less entertaining.
A Bittersweet Return to Goodwood
The legacy of “Schitt’s Creek” remains tied to the town of Goodwood, Ontario, where the series was filmed. In a recent return to the town—which has a population of 689—Levy reflected on the initial risk of naming a fictional town “Schitt’s Creek” while filming in a real community. He noted that despite the potential for offense, the residents were overwhelmingly welcoming.
The town has since embraced its role in television history. The location once used as the Rose Apothecary has transitioned into the Goodwood Mercantile, selling local crafts and souvenirs from the show. However, the atmosphere of the town has been tempered by the loss of Catherine O’Hara, who died suddenly in January. O’Hara played the unforgettable Moira Rose, a role that Levy described as “awe-inspiring.”
The loss of O’Hara has effectively ended any possibility of a “Schitt’s Creek” sequel. Levy confirmed that while he had considered the idea, the absence of O’Hara makes it impossible. Recalling her impact, Levy noted that O’Hara possessed a natural ability to create “meme-able” moments, specifically citing the viral nature of the fruit wine commercial as a highlight of the series.
As Levy moves forward with “Big Mistakes,” he carries the lessons of his past successes and the grief of losing a close collaborator. The shift from the heartfelt, familial bonds of the Rose family to the chaotic, criminal entanglements of his new characters suggests a creator eager to explore new comedic territories while remaining grounded in his own personal anxieties.
Netflix has not yet announced a formal premiere date for “Big Mistakes,” but production continues in New Jersey. Further updates regarding the release schedule are expected as the series enters post-production.
Do you think “Big Mistakes” can capture the same magic as “Schitt’s Creek”? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
