Dan Levy Embraces Thrilling New Chapter with Netflix Crime Series
In a recent interview, Dan Levy opened up about his dramatic career shift from the cozy world of Schitt's Creek to the gritty realm of his new Netflix crime comedy, Big Mistakes. The 42-year-old co-creator and star expressed both pride and excitement for this bold new project, which premiered on April 9, 2026.
From Cuddly to Criminal: A Creative Evolution
When asked about transitioning from the heartwarming sweetness of Schitt's Creek to the dangerous territory of blackmail and organized crime, Levy explained his natural curiosity drove this change. 'Schitt's was so warm and sweet and cuddly. My natural curiosity was to go somewhere else and keep some of the warmth of the family dynamic, but kind of dabble into more dangerous territory,' he revealed.
The Emmy-winning actor-writer emphasized the unique challenge of balancing thrills with humor. 'For me, the big challenge was, how do we tell a story that's thrilling but also never not funny? That became the big challenge for our writers room: tell a season of a story that's a big thrill, a rollercoaster ride, but never compromises on the laughs.'
Big Mistakes: A Crime Comedy with Dark Twists
Big Mistakes follows chaotic siblings Nicky (played by Levy) and Morgan (Taylor Ortega) who accidentally steal something precious from a criminal organization. Unaware of its true value, they find themselves coerced into becoming accomplices to atone for their potentially deadly error. Adding to their anxiety-inducing predicament is their neurotic mother Linda, portrayed by Laurie Metcalfe, who constantly monitors their every move.
Levy described the series as 'a unique show that I haven't seen in a very long time, this space of being genuinely thrilling, while also quite funny and a really fantastic ensemble cast. So it was just a dream to write and a thrill ride to perform.' He co-wrote the series with Rachel Sennott, known for her role in Shiva Baby.
Scripted Precision with Room for Improvisation
While the dialogue in Big Mistakes maintains the rapid-fire, ping-pong quality Levy fans recognize from Schitt's Creek, the approach to improvisation differs. Taylor Ortega explained, 'We did improvise, but not as much as you would think. I think the script is written that way. It's very tight, and it doesn't really need improvisation most of the time.'
However, Levy was quick to praise his co-star's improvisational skills. 'I always like to leave room in the script for improvisation. A lot of times it's how you get into a scene, or how you get out of a scene, where we always give a bit of a looseness for the characters to play,' he outlined. 'Fortunately, Taylor is an unbelievable improviser. It was so thrilling to watch. I feel very grateful that the cast is so good at improvising.'
A New Legacy Beyond Schitt's Creek
While fans might miss iconic Schitt's Creek moments like Alexis exclaiming 'Ew, David!' or Moira's cheese-folding instructions, Levy promises Big Mistakes delivers its own brand of comedic chaos. The series represents a significant evolution for the creator, who built his reputation on creating television's most beloved queer love story and a world free from prejudice.
With dark humor, shocking twists, and the familiar warmth of complicated family dynamics, Big Mistakes aims to establish Levy as more than just the co-creator of a cult classic sitcom. The Netflix series demonstrates his range as a storyteller willing to explore dangerous territory while maintaining the comedic sensibility that made his previous work so memorable.
