Dan Levy wanted to explore family trauma and dysfunction. So he made ‘Big Mistakes’

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Many fans have been curious about what Dan Levy has been doing since “Schitt’s Creek,” the popular and witty comedy he created and starred in with his father, Eugene Levy, ended six years ago. Surprisingly, his new focus is on portraying a criminal.

Levy’s upcoming Netflix series, “Big Mistakes,” premieres on April 9th and focuses on a complicated family. The show features siblings Nicky and Morgan, their seemingly flawless sister Natalie, and their overbearing mother, Linda.

The story, “Big Mistakes,” begins amidst a chaotic family argument at the hospital as Linda’s mother is dying. Things quickly spiral out of control, and by the end of the first episode, Nicky, a gay pastor, and Morgan, who’s in a frustrating relationship, find themselves in serious trouble. They’re forced into a delivery truck at gunpoint by criminals.

Despite its unusual premise, the series – created by Jenny Levy and Rachel Sennott – is actually a funny look at typical family relationships, how past traumas affect us, and why we stick with the people who drive us the most crazy. The show really lets veteran comedic actress Laurie Metcalf (known from shows like “Roseanne” and “The Big Bang Theory”) and rising star Jenna Ortega (who’s been in “Succession” and is shining in her first leading role) truly showcase their talents.

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“Big Mistakes” offers a glimpse into how Eugene Levy’s creative vision has developed, and what ultimately led him to return to television series work. He had taken a six-year break because he wanted to create something he was passionate about—a show with the potential for multiple seasons and ongoing stories. He realized that in the fast-paced entertainment industry, this concept had a lot of promise and felt genuinely engaging.

Towards the end of March, Levy, Metcalf, and Ortega met at Netflix’s New York office to discuss their new show. What follows are highlights from that discussion, lightly edited for clarity.

Nicky (Dan Levy), far left, and sister Morgan (Taylor Ortega) become enmeshed with criminals.

Laurie Metcalf plays Linda, the siblings’ domineering mother. (Spencer Pazer/Netflix)

After the experience of making “Big Mistakes,” do you feel like you’ve bonded as a group?

Taylor Ortega: It wasn’t traumatizing.

Dan Levy explained that creating the cast for the show felt very natural. He always prioritizes how well people will get along with each other during casting, because he dislikes large egos on set – they can really harm team spirit. He was thrilled with how easily and joyfully the cast came together.

I’ve never experienced a group that came together so quickly and worked so well as an ensemble. They really clicked right away.

When was the first time that the three of you all met together?

Ortega: We did a rehearsal at the hospital with Abby and us that was really fun.

With a completely new cast, it was crucial to have rehearsal time to explore how we moved in the space and interacted as a group. The pilot episode doesn’t have any direct explanations of who the characters are; everything is shown through action. As actors, we needed to establish each character’s personality and relationships before filming began, so the audience would immediately understand who everyone is.

That was really helpful. When we arrived at the location two days later, we immediately understood the scope and speed of the situation. I had a good sense of how large it could become. [Laughter]

Levy explained that the rehearsal was a real pick-me-up for everyone. Seeing it go well and sharing a laugh made a huge difference. Without it, the first day would have been much harder and more stressful.

Ortega told Metcalf that the idea involving the nurse was hilarious and really helped everyone feel relaxed and open to working together.

Did that feel like a risk, to pitch ideas on Day 1?

Metcalf: Yeah, I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do. It felt like we were all thrown into something new and just expected to start working.

I’ve been hearing from Dan Levy about how he chooses the actors for “Big Mistakes,” and it’s really interesting. He said he always pays close attention to how well people will get along, because he really doesn’t like having anyone with a big ego on set. It’s cool that he prioritizes a good vibe and teamwork!

Honestly, I’ve been a fan of Laurie Metcalf for years, and I was reading an interview where she talked about working with this particular cast. She said she’d never experienced a group that connected so instantly – they just really clicked as an ensemble, and she was amazed by how quickly it happened.

What was the genesis of this show, anyway?

Levy: I have a completely unfounded fear of being trapped in an organized criminal situation.

Ortega: That’s totally reasonable.

I’ve seen many documentaries about organized crime, and it’s clear that once someone gets involved, it’s incredibly difficult to leave. The thought of being indebted to a criminal group, especially knowing I wouldn’t be able to handle it, is frightening.

Ortega: And how righteous and justice-oriented.

I really don’t want to break the law – I’m a rule-follower. As I learned more about the situation, I started to wonder how a close-knit family would handle it. That’s why I reached out to Rachel, because she also doesn’t seem like someone who’s comfortable doing anything illegal.

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Laurie, how were you approached to be part of it?

I was back from a trip to L.A. when I received an email asking me to take a look at a script from Dan Levy. I immediately said yes. When I read it, I was excited to see my character had the first three lines – all in capital letters and set in a hospital room. I knew I could deliver the energy that role needed.

Levy explained that the family’s grandmother was central to the show’s authenticity, as it explores how we’re shaped by inherited family patterns and trauma. When Laurie agreed to participate, he realized the show could be something truly special. He believes her depth, curiosity, and ability to find truth and humor in every detail were essential, and without her, the show wouldn’t be the same.

Taylor is hardly a newcomer, but even so, how did you discover her for this show?

Levy: Taylor was the very first person who auditioned for this show, and the last.

Ortega explained that about six months had passed since her last audition, and she was at a different point in her life. When she auditioned for this role, she immediately felt it was a strong match. While it wasn’t a guarantee she’d get the part, she believed she would be the best person for it. She joked that it’s unusual to feel confident you’re the best fit and then actually get the job.

What made you think that?

I really connected with the character because her background feels a lot like my own. I don’t usually pay attention to details like where someone is from, but the way she handles her problems – many of which she creates herself – reminds me of a past, less positive version of myself.

Levy explained that he prefers not to be the first one to audition actors. Seeing so many people – and there were a lot! – can make it hard to remember everyone. He even added a new scene – being stuck in a van in Episode 2 – because he’d seen so many actors perform the initial scenes. He finds it incredibly rewarding to see a hardworking actor, who hasn’t yet had their big break, find a role that’s perfect for them. [He quickly added with a laugh, ‘I probably shouldn’t have said that.’]

Sometimes, after working on something consistently for a long time – like ten or fifteen years – the ideal opportunity finally presents itself. It’s a fortunate turn of events when that happens.

Dan and Laurie, having both been on very popular TV shows with close-knit casts, what are the signs that a group of actors are really connecting and working well together?

Levy believes that chemistry between people isn’t something you can force. It’s an instant connection – you either feel it immediately, or you don’t.

What do you do when it isn’t working? Has that ever happened to you?

I’ve been on teams where I didn’t feel a strong connection or much pride. I just did my job and didn’t feel like a true part of the group, or motivated to really support its success.

When was the first time that the actors got to see the results of their work?

Metcalf told Levy that showing the entire pilot episode to the cast and crew during lunchtime was a great idea. He wasn’t able to attend, but he heard everyone got a chance to watch it.

Levy: Laurie has a five-year rule — she will watch things after five years.

Is that right?

When I act, I always have a clear idea of how my performance will be, but it never turns out that way. It really throws me off, so I need to wait until I’ve completely forgotten the lines before I can move on.

I’m creating this show with the hope that Laurie will watch it in five years. [Laughs] We had to edit the first episode very quickly – just a week after filming – because they test it with audiences to see if the story makes sense and if everything is working well.

Ortega: They were thinking of replacing me with a very little girl.

I was worried about losing my job, as everything felt new to me. With ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ we had complete creative control, and I’m determined to maintain that. I’m confident in the work I do, and I wouldn’t proceed if I wasn’t.

What did you want to say about religion with this show?

From the start of the show, with each character, I always asked myself how we could make the difficult situations caused by crime even worse. This character’s decision to go to church comes from his family and his desire for a stable life. He found comfort in having a clear path – going to school and then getting a job where he knew exactly what was expected of him.

Honestly, I never set out to make fun of religion itself. That’s why we included a gay pastor, Reverend Warren Swenson – he was a really important part of making sure what we were doing felt real and honest. I was super careful about how we portrayed faith, constantly asking myself if someone would actually say ‘Jesus Christ’ in a tough situation. Reverend Swenson helped me understand that, yes, people are human, and they express their beliefs privately. My goal wasn’t to create a stereotype, but to show respect for his convictions, even if they weren’t my own.

The show features a lot of anger, which usually makes sense given what the characters are going through. As a writer and performer, do you find it emotionally releasing to explore those feelings?

Ortega: We all do that really easily.

I tend to really explore characters’ vulnerabilities. I believe people are most likely to commit crimes when they’re already going through difficult and unstable periods in their lives. I like to push them to their limits to see how they react.

Based on what I’ve seen, families either tend to yell at each other, or they don’t. Those who grew up in yelling households will likely relate to what I’m saying immediately, while others might need a moment to see things from that perspective.

Metcalf explained that the trend is mostly limited to certain areas and doesn’t really affect most people. He added that even his own children aren’t impressed by it, and it ultimately doesn’t have much significance.

Ortega: If I yell in my real life, other people will go, “I know you’re upset, but it is funny.”

It hasn’t been long since Catherine O’Hara, your fellow actor from “Schitt’s Creek,” passed away, and people still feel her loss deeply. Would you be willing to share any fond memories you have of her?

I’ll always cherish my memories of her. I’m so thankful I had the chance to work with her on a project she was incredibly proud of. Seeing how much joy the show and her character brought her, and being able to support her for six years as she developed that character, was a true gift. It was a blessing to be a part of such a special time in her amazing career. Beyond all of that, she was simply a kind and wonderful person.

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2026-04-01 13:32