Levy's 'big mistakes' aims high after 'schitt's creek' reign
Dan Levy, the creative force behind the Emmy-sweeping “Schitt’s Creek,” is back, and this time he’s stumbling – intentionally – into organized crime. His new Netflix sitcom, “Big Mistakes,” born from a surprisingly relatable fear of being utterly useless, premieres April 9th, and promises a different kind of comedic chaos.
A fear of liability fuels the plot
The premise, as Levy explained during a recent interview, is delightfully absurd: a New Jersey pastor and his sister, a teacher, unwittingly become entangled with a criminal organization. “I just know that if I ever were tasked with helping a criminal organization, I would be the biggest liability,” he chuckled, the foundation of the show’s humor rooted in this very vulnerability. Taylor Ortega co-stars as his sister, a pairing Levy described as “chemistry—you either have it or you don’t, and she is brilliant.” But the real coup, he admits, was securing Laurie Metcalf for the role of their mother, a move he declared a guaranteed win, “even if everything else fails, she will be great.”
Beyond 'schitt's creek': a deliberate detachment
The shadow of “Schitt’s Creek,” a show that redefined television comedy and secured a historic seven Emmys in a single night, looms large. Yet, Levy was resolute in his approach to this new project. “No. I wouldn't let it in,” he stated firmly. “You really have to lock the door on that and almost accept the fact that, if that is the big crown jewel, fabulous. Everything else has to be something that makes me feel good.” It’s a refreshing perspective, a refusal to be chained to past success, and a testament to Levy’s creative independence.
From mtv vj to showrunner: a circuitous path
Levy’s journey to television prominence wasn’t linear. Before “Schitt’s Creek,” he spent eight years at MTV Canada, a period he now views as invaluable. “I was an MTV VJ!” he exclaimed, with a wry smile. “I don’t think I was a good VJ.” The anxiety and self-doubt that plagued his on-screen persona ultimately proved a crucible for his writing, editing, and producing skills. “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.”
A fond farewell and lasting legacy
The production of “Big Mistakes” unfolded against the backdrop of profound loss. The recent death of Catherine O’Hara, Levy's beloved colleague and the iconic Moira Rose from “Schitt’s Creek,” has effectively ended any consideration of a sequel. “No. We can’t,” Levy said, visibly moved.