Schitt’s Creek creator and star Dan Levy has opened up about the differences between the hit show and his new sitcom Big Mistakes.
Dan Levy wanted to leave “warm” and “cuddly” Schitt’s Creek behind for his new show.
The 42-year-old star, who co-created and starred in the hit sitcom with his dad Eugene Levy, is back with new Netflix series Big Mistakes – which was co-created by Rachel Sennott – and he wanted to make sure there could be no comparisons between the two.
Speaking to media in a virtual press conference, he said: “I had six seasons of a warm, cuddly show, and I wanted to go in a completely different direction.”
That was also part of the decision to wait six years after Schitt’s Creek ended to unveil his new project.
He explained: “It’s been six years since Schitt’s ended. Because I loved what we did on Schitt’s so much I wanted to wait.
“Over that time I was thinking when I get back in TV, what is the premise? And Big Mistakes just clicked.
“The more I explored, the more fascinating the world got. When you’ve got a thread that keeps unravelling you know you have legs.”
In Big Mistakes, Dan plays semi-closeted Christian pastor Nicky who has a hidden boyfriend.
The cast also includes Nicky’s sarcastic sister Morgan (Taylor Ortega) and their imposing mother Linda (Laurie Metcalf).
Dan noted he “wanted really human characters”, while he liked the idea of exploring “the world of crime” in the show, which begins with Morgan stealing a cheap necklace for her grandmother, only for a gun-wielding gangster to remand its return.
Meanwhile, Dan recently confirmed he has shelved any plans to bring back Schitt’s Creek after co-star Catherine O’Hara tragically died aged 71 in January this year.
The show followed the Rose family, who lost their fortune and had to relocate to the titular Schitt’s Creek and had to get used to a very different lifestyle surrounded by a cast of quirky and lovable characters.
Asked if he would make more episodes, he told CBS’ Sunday Morning: “No, not now. We can’t. I was thinking about it.”
Dan Levy reveals why Big Mistakes couldn’t be as ‘warm and cuddly’ as Schitt’s Creek
