Is ‘Big Mistakes’ on Netflix based on a true story?
Dan Levy has a unique way of capturing the chaos of unravelling domestic lives, which is probably why nobody compares when it comes to family dramas. The writer-actor injected his signature formula in bringing Big Mistakes to life alongside co-creator Rachel Sennott on Netflix, and it’s safe to say, they didn’t disappoint.
The Netflix series follows two incapable siblings, local pastor Nicky and school teacher Morgan, who find themselves blackmailed into the world of organised crime after the latter steals a necklace for her dying grandmother, unaware that it belongs to some very dangerous people.
The petty theft comes at a cost, as the pair are constantly coerced into doing their dirty work, making it all the more impossible for them to get out of the hellhole. While Big Mistakes is certainly built on believable and relatable themes, for those curious whether it’s based on a true story, the answer isn’t exactly black-and-white.
The primary storyline, especially the crime aspect, doesn’t have real-life inspiration. But the show’s concept dawned upon Levy from one of his own phobias. In an interview with CBS News, the Schitt’s Creek actor opened up about his inspiration, saying, “[The idea for the show] came from a fear that I have of being trapped. I like my freedom!”
“I just know that if I were ever tasked with helping a criminal organisation, I would be the biggest liability. So that, to me, is a funny place to start.” Levy went on to acknowledge that when he pitched the idea to Sennott, the plausibility and the relatability of that fear hit her as well, and that’s how Big Mistakes came to be.
Levy co-wrote the Netflix series with Sennott and fellow screenwriter Jacquie Rivera, holding writing sessions on Zoom for six months before agreeing on the outline and more. He thoroughly researched the world of organised crime for authenticity, even though the creators ultimately settled on taking the aspect less seriously.
Although Big Mistakes is a crime comedy, family is at the heart of the series. The brother-sister dynamic he brings on-screen doesn’t exactly mirror his personal relationship with his own sister, Sarah Levy. However, his understanding as a sibling does help him convey it naturally.
In a conversation with Netflix, Levy said, “This [Big Mistakes] is by no means a reflection of my own family dynamic, but I think anyone who has a sibling understands how frustrating and also how funny that conflict can be, particularly when you were younger. I think about my sister and me getting in fights when we were, like, young kids, and how insane it was all. It’s fun to write that for adult people.”
So, although there’s no specific real-life inspiration behind Big Mistakes, it’s made up of everyone’s reality.