Inspired by childhood experiences, the Netflix series dives into sibling dynamics and organized crime
Category: Arts & Culture
Dan Levy has returned to television with his new Netflix series Big Mistakes, a darkly comic crime thriller that draws heavily from his childhood experiences with his sister, Sarah Levy. The show, co-created with Rachel Sennott, marks Levy's first major project since the acclaimed sitcom Schitt's Creek concluded in 2020.
In Big Mistakes, Levy plays Nicky Dardano, who, along with his sister Morgan (played by Taylor Ortega), finds themselves embroiled in organized crime after Morgan steals a necklace from a postal store to bury with their dying grandmother. This seemingly innocuous act spirals into a chaotic series of events involving grave robbing, drug running, and accessory-to-murder charges, forcing the siblings to navigate a world they never anticipated.
Levy, now 42 and the son of actor Eugene Levy, explained that the show was inspired by the early days of his relationship with Sarah. "I would probably say the early days of me and my sister. We're in a far greater place now that we're older and wiser. But drawing on... anyone who has a sibling, I think, will recognize themselves in the show," he told People.
He elaborated on the essence of the show, stating, "It was really about authenticating the experience of that sibling dynamic and just exacerbating all of the bickering in the light of, like, intense criminal activity." His hope is that the show resonates with anyone from a loud family or those curious about sibling relationships.
Levy expressed a desire to replicate the passion and excitement he felt during the production of Schitt's Creek. "When I left Schitt's, I really wanted to make sure that the next thing I did in TV gave me that same sense of inspiration and excitement and love and affection for the people I was working with, and it did," he said. He praised his co-stars, including Laurie Metcalf, who plays Linda, the siblings' mother and an accidental mayoral candidate, and Elizabeth Perkins, who plays Annette, the crime boss revealed in a shocking twist at the end of the first season.
The season finale of Big Mistakes left viewers with a jaw-dropping reveal: Annette is not only orchestrating the chaos but is a savvy businesswoman with ties to the local political scene. This unexpected twist prompts viewers to reconsider earlier episodes, searching for clues that hinted at her true role.
Levy has described the show as balancing the absurdity of organized crime with the mundane struggles of family life, particularly through Linda's mayoral campaign. "Families in times of insane crisis — that can be the funniest times. I'm often laughing in times of insane crisis, so I'm endlessly fascinated by it," he said, emphasizing the comedic potential of familial dynamics.
As the siblings descend into their criminal escapades, they find themselves unexpectedly thriving in their new roles. "The worse they were, the more they got at their jobs," Levy noted, highlighting how their failures paradoxically lead to greater success within the crime world. This dynamic is central to the show's narrative, illustrating how circumstances can drastically change a person's character.
The show also explores the theme of being blackmailed into crime, a concept that Levy finds personally terrifying. "A random person finding themselves blackmailed into crime is just endlessly entertaining," he said, adding that the fear of such a scenario has haunted him for years. This fear is woven into the fabric of the show's plot, making the stakes feel real and relatable.
As for the future of Big Mistakes, Levy has already mapped out a potential second season, hinting at the challenges that Nicky and Morgan will face as they become increasingly entrenched in the criminal world. "A Season 2 would just be: There's no way out now," he teased, indicating that the siblings' situation will become even more precarious.
Levy's collaboration with Sennott has been a key element in shaping the show's tone. They spent six to eight months developing the series before presenting it to Netflix, where it was quickly picked up. Levy admires Sennott's comedic style, noting that their voices overlap yet remain distinct, allowing them to explore a unique blend of chaos, comedy, and suspense.
As the first season of Big Mistakes is now streaming on Netflix, viewers can expect a mix of laugh-out-loud moments and gripping tension. With its blend of crime and comedy, the series promises to keep audiences engaged, especially as it examines into the intricacies of sibling relationships under extraordinary circumstances.
In the end, Levy's goal is to create a show that resonates with viewers on multiple levels, whether they come from a loud family, have siblings, or simply enjoy a good crime story. As he puts it, "I love these people so much. I'm so proud of this cast and crew. People are working at, like, 110 percent. All I did was set the table for these people, and they ate." With the show's potential for multiple seasons, fans can look forward to more stories from the Dardano family and their wild adventures in the criminal underworld.