Dan Levy Returns With New Fish-Out-of-Water Comedy After Schitt’s Creek

After making television history with the sweeping success of Schitt’s Creek, Dan Levy is returning to the scripted series format with a sharp pivot in genre and setting. The Emmy-winning actor, writer, and producer is currently bringing a fresh vision to life in Big Mistakes Netflix series, a project that trades the quaint charm of a small Ontario town for the gritty, high-stakes streets of New Jersey.

The upcoming sitcom marks Levy’s first scripted series since the conclusion of Schitt’s Creek in 2020. Co-created with Rachel Sennott for Netflix, the demonstrate is described as a fish-out-of-water comedy that plunges its protagonists into a world they are fundamentally ill-equipped to handle: the realm of organized crime.

For a creator who has turn into a symbol of warmth and familial growth, Big Mistakes represents a daring departure. By blending the absurdity of religious and academic life with the danger of the mob, Levy is exploring a different kind of tension while maintaining the character-driven comedy that defined his previous work.

A New Jersey Nightmare: The Plot of “Big Mistakes”

At its core, Big Mistakes is a story of accidental entanglement. The narrative centers on a New Jersey pastor and his sister, a teacher, who find themselves unexpectedly trapped in a relationship with a criminal organization. The premise leans heavily into the “liability” factor, playing with the inherent contrast between the protagonists’ professional roles—servants of faith and education—and the ruthless nature of the mob.

Levy has been candid about the personal inspiration behind the series, noting that the concept grew from a visceral fear of confinement. “The idea for the show ‘came from a fear that I have of being trapped. I like my freedom!'” Levy explained. He further noted that the humor stems from his own self-perception of incompetence in a criminal setting, stating, “I just know that if I ever were tasked with helping a criminal organization, I would be the biggest liability. So that, to me, felt like a very funny place to start.”

Casting the Chaos: From Laurie Metcalf to Taylor Ortega

Building a comedy of this nature requires precise chemistry, and Levy has assembled a cast capable of balancing the show’s dark undercurrents with genuine wit. Taylor Ortega has been cast as the pastor’s sister, a role Levy describes as a result of natural synergy. “It’s just chemistry. You either have it with somebody or you don’t, and she is brilliant,” Levy said of Ortega.

Perhaps the most significant casting addition is the legendary Laurie Metcalf, who will play the mother of the two siblings. Levy viewed landing Metcalf as a major victory for the production, expressing a high level of confidence in her ability to anchor the show. He remarked that he knew “even if everything else fails, she will be great.”

Beyond the “Crown Jewel” of Schitt’s Creek

Following the unprecedented success of Schitt’s Creek—which became the first series to win a Primetime Emmy Award in all four major comedy acting categories in a single year—the pressure to replicate that magic could be overwhelming. Though, Levy has intentionally locked the door on those expectations to preserve his creative freedom.

When asked if he felt the need to live up to his previous work while writing Big Mistakes, Levy replied, “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 mindset reflects a broader evolution in Levy’s career. While Schitt’s Creek was his first time writing for television, he credits his early years as an MTV Canada VJ for providing the foundational skills necessary for showrunning. Despite his self-deprecation regarding his time as a host—citing social anxiety and nervousness—he acknowledges that those eight years in Toronto were invaluable for learning how to write for himself, edit, and produce.

A Multi-Hyphenate Evolution

The development of Big Mistakes is part of a larger trajectory for Levy, who has steadily expanded his portfolio as a “multi-hyphenate” talent. Since the end of his sitcom era, he has ventured into film, taking a supporting role in the 2020 romantic comedy Happiest Season and writing, directing, and starring in the 2023 drama Good Grief. His professional journey is documented as spanning from his birth in Toronto on August 9, 1983, to his current status as a Hollywood mainstay verified by Wikipedia.

To further institutionalize his creative output, Levy recently launched his own film and television production company, Not a Real Production Company. This venture allows him to maintain tighter control over the stories he tells, ensuring that projects like Big Mistakes align with his specific comedic sensibilities and personal interests.

Key Details of “Big Mistakes”

As production continues in New Jersey, the industry is watching closely to witness how Levy translates his knack for heartfelt, character-driven humor into the high-tension world of organized crime. While the stakes are higher and the milieu is darker, the core of the show remains rooted in the human experience of feeling completely out of place.

There is currently no official release date for Big Mistakes, but the project remains in active development following its recent filming phases. Stay tuned for further updates on casting and the official Netflix premiere date.

Do you think Dan Levy’s shift to a crime comedy is the right move after Schitt’s Creek? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or share this article with your fellow comedy lovers.