Levy's 'big mistakes': a netflix gamble after 'schitt's creek'?
Dan Levy, the creative force behind the Emmy-sweeping Schitt's Creek, is back – and this time, he's navigating the treacherous waters of organized crime in New Jersey. His new sitcom, Big Mistakes, arrives on Netflix April 9th, and the question on everyone's mind is whether Levy can recapture the magic that made his previous series a cultural phenomenon.
The premise: a pastor, a teacher, and a criminal underworld
The show's concept, as Levy explains, stems from a rather relatable fear: “a fear that I have of being trapped. I like my freedom!” Big Mistakes centers on a New Jersey pastor and his sister, a teacher, who find themselves unexpectedly entangled with a criminal organization. Levy, known for his self-deprecating humor, jokes, “I just know that if I ever were tasked with helping a criminal organization, I would be the biggest liability.” He’s clearly aiming for a darkly comedic exploration of responsibility and the absurdities of unexpected circumstances.
Taylor Ortega plays Levy’s sister, a casting choice he describes with characteristic enthusiasm: “It’s just chemistry. You either have it with somebody or you don’t, and she is brilliant.” But the true coup, according to Levy, was securing Laurie Metcalf to portray their mother. “Even if everything else fails, she will be great,” he quipped, a testament to Metcalf’s enduring appeal.
From small town charm to streaming giant
The shadow of Schitt’s Creek looms large, naturally. Asked whether he felt pressure to live up to its legacy, Levy was unequivocal: “No. I wouldn't let it in. I don't think you can. And you really have to lock the door on that and almost accept the fact that, if that is the big crown jewel, fabulous. How wonderful! Everything else has to be something that makes me feel good.” This assertive stance suggests a conscious effort to forge a new path, even while acknowledging the success of his previous work. The six-season run of Schitt’s Creek culminated in a historic Emmy sweep, marking Levy's first foray into television writing – a remarkable trajectory from his MTV VJ days, a period he characterizes as “nervous” and marked by “social anxiety.”
Those years at MTV Canada, however, proved surprisingly formative. “I learned to write for myself. I learned to edit. I learned to produce. I learned to be in front of the camera. It prepared me for the totality of what it is to show-run.” The show’s name itself sparked a series of eyebrow-raising reactions. “Everybody did!” Levy laughed, recalling the initial skepticism surrounding “Schitt’s Creek.” His father, Eugene Levy, was equally insistent: “I think my dad was the one that was like, it's this or nothing.”
A fond farewell and lingering memories
The recent return to Goodwood, Ontario – the real-life town that served as Schitt's Creek – brought a wave of emotion. The Rose Apothecary, a beloved fixture in the show, now operates as Goodwood Mercantile, selling crafts and – appropriately – Schitt’s Creek souvenirs, alongside a condolence book for the late Catherine O'Hara, whose sudden passing in January has effectively ended any discussion of a sequel. Levy, visibly moved, shared, “We had the best time. We had the best time. She had the best time… It's an amazing thing to be a part of something that she loved so much.” Her memorable “fruit wine commercial” clip, he admitted, was a moment of prescience: “I knew when we shot that, that even if the show was a disaster, please let that clip go viral.”
Levy’s career has proven to be a masterclass in self-defined success, from the awkward MTV VJ to the celebrated creator of two highly acclaimed comedies. Whether Big Mistakes can replicate the cultural impact of Schitt's Creek remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Dan Levy is not afraid to take risks – and that's a quality that consistently yields compelling television.