Made in New Jersey: Dan Levy’s New Comedy ‘Big Mistakes’ Makes a Big Impact

Trouble’s afoot (onscreen) in the Garden State.

Big Mistakes, our new comedy series co-created, executive produced, written and starring Emmy® winner Dan Levy, was filmed primarily in New Jersey, which also serves as the backdrop for the comedic family saga within a high-stakes crime thriller. 

The show follows Nicky (Levy) and Morgan (New Jersey native Taylor Ortega), two deeply incapable siblings who are in over their heads when a misguided theft for their dying grandmother accidentally pulls them into the world of organized crime. Blackmailed into increasingly dangerous assignments, they clumsily fail upwards, sinking deeper into chaos they’re ill-equipped to handle.

“It was surreal getting to film in my home state,” Ortega said. “I grew up in New Jersey and was obsessed with film and television and never thought I’d be returning home for such a major project and moment in my life.”

During the 46-day shoot, Big Mistakes employed 300 cast and crew, worked with more than 500 vendors and filmed at over 40 locations. “I’ve really enjoyed shooting in New Jersey,” said location manager Mia Thompson. “We have quite a number of recurring locations that have all just been wonderful — not only the home owners, but the business owners, the towns, the local police, the local fire departments, the town clerks. It’s been a really great experience.”

These local businesses include Edison Millwork & Hardware, a more than 50-year-old family-owned hardware store much like the role it played on the show: the long-running Morelli’s Hardware, run by Nicky and Morgan’s mom, played by Laurie Metcalf. “It’s one of the few mom and pop hardware stores that are left anywhere, really, so it was really great to find this location that fits very perfectly with our story,” said Thompson.

Another frequent scene stealer is Wyoming Presbyterian Church in Millburn, which served as the backdrop for Nicky’s day job and living space. “We’ve utilized every inch of space of that church inside and out,” said Thompson. “They’ve enjoyed the experience just as much as we have.”

Other locations included the Deerfield School, Essex County Airport, Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Hatfield Swamp, Wyoming Presbyterian Church, Springfield Municipal Building, and the Crystal Inn in Eatontown, just a stone’s throw away from our forthcoming studio space at Fort Monmouth.

Production cast a wide net in New Jersey, filming in numerous towns and cities across the state such as Caldwell, Cranford, Franklin Lakes, Irvington, Jersey City, Union, Warren and Weehawken. 

“One thing about New Jersey is that it’s so diverse. The various neighborhoods offer different kinds of looks and aesthetics,” said Thompson about filming in both urban and suburban areas of the Garden State. “You have everything that you could ask for.”

Although Big Mistakes shot all over New Jersey, the crew worked hard to make production on Season 1 sustainable. By using cleantech, including a battery hybrid unit at basecamp, small batteries, some battery electric trailers, and tying into the electricity grid, the production’s overall generator fuel use was reduced by 25% compared to what would have been used without clean mobile power. Electric vehicles and hybrids contributed to fuel reductions, and EV’s were supported by mobile charging at basecamp. Renewable diesel was used during production, which further reduced carbon emissions. During Season 1, production also donated over 3,700 pounds of food.

Big Mistakes, which debuted on the Global Top 10 English TV List this week, is just the first of several upcoming Netflix projects that were filmed in New Jersey, including 72 Hours; Here Comes the Flood; Little Brother; Office Romance; Rabbit, Rabbit; The Whisper Man; and Roommates, out this Friday.

Big Mistakes Season 1 is available now — only on Netflix.