Dan Levy used his acceptance speech at the third annual Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television to praise Canadian production for getting behind queer stories before Hollywood fully embraced them. Accepting the Vanguard Award, Levy said the industry often claims to know what audiences want until projects like Schitt’s Creek or Heated Rivalry arrive and change expectations. He singled out fellow Canadian Jacob Tierney, creator of Heated Rivalry, saying he was proud of the showrunner and noting that Canada recognized the value of these projects first.
Levy argued that the success of such series proves the demand for queer-led storytelling and that the issue is not a lack of interest, but a lack of investment. Rather than asking for more shows that simply imitate Schitt’s Creek or Heated Rivalry, he said the industry should put more money into queer voices because those creators generate revenue. He added that LGBTQ+ talent should be treated as valuable rather than as exceptions, saying the goal should be for the odds to favor queer creators instead of working against them.
He also reflected on the broader significance of the evening’s honors, which included Jane Lynch, Hannah Einbinder and Paula Pell among the night’s awardees. Levy said everyone in the room had overcome some version of the odds, and he expressed hope that the entertainment business will eventually become a place where queer creators are not seen as anomalies. He closed by joking that Canada is a modest country that does not like to brag, but will do so when necessary.
Levy is currently promoting Big Mistakes during awards-season FYC campaigning. The Netflix series was renewed for a second season earlier this month, and Levy recently signed a new first-look deal with the streamer as producer and writer.
