‘You can’t’: Dan Levy says there’s no Schitt’s Creek sequel without Catherine O’Hara

Dan Levy struggled to find the words as he set foot in the Ontario community where the smash hit Schitt’s Creek was filmed for the first time since the show wrapped.

“It’s tough being back,” Levy said, taking off his signature black glasses to wipe away tears as he stood in front of what was once Rose Apothecary, the boutique shop his character David opened in Season 3.

“It’s a lot of memories with … with Catherine,” he said, his voice cracking.

Levy, the co-creator of Schitt’s Creek, returned to Goodwood, Ont., northeast of Toronto, as part of an extended interview with CBS’s Sunday Morning that aired Sunday. He spoke about his new Netflix series, Big Mistakes, his creative process and his Toronto years, but also about his co-star and friend, Catherine O’Hara, who died in January at age 71.

WATCH | Dan Levy returns to Schitt’s Creek community in Ontario:

The legendary Canadian comedic actress died due to a blood clot in her lung. She was also living with cancer — a diagnosis she hadn’t made public.

Her sudden death shocked Hollywood and the legions of fans she’d earned playing iconic roles in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Best in Show and of course, Schitt’s Creek, where she played dramatic former soap star and family matriarch Moira Rose.

“I didn’t think that I’d have quite an emotional reaction,” Levy said in Sunday’s interview as he walked through the community that provided Schitt’s Creek’s picturesque setting from 2015 to 2020.

When CBS host Anthony Mason asked if Levy would ever consider filming a sequel, Levy’s voice turned quiet. “No, not now,” he said. “You can’t.”

Levy said he’d been “thinking about” a reboot of some kind, but that was before O’Hara died. Now, he said, he’s holding onto the memories of the show and every scene that Moira made iconic.

“For someone who was not on the internet, she knew how to meme,” he said.

Earlier in the interview, Levy spoke about what it was like working with O’Hara on the show, where some of her most memorable scenes included fighting with Levy over what it means to “fold in the cheese” while cooking enchiladas and her commercial for Herb Ertlinger’s fruit wines.

“It’s awe-inspiring,” Levy said about working in the presence of O’Hara.

“I broke so many times on that show. And you can see that. We kept it in.”

WATCH | Catherine O’Hara’s best Moira moments:

Global sensation Schitt’s Creek, which Levy co-created with his father, Eugene Levy, swept nearly every award show during its run. Dan Levy’s new Netflix sitcom, Big Mistakes, premieres April 9.

He said he’s not concerned about critics and viewers comparing it to the incomparable Schitt’s Creek.

“You really have to lock the door on that and almost accept the fact that if this is the big crown jewel, fabulous. How wonderful,” Levy said.

“Everything else has to be something that makes me feel good.”

WATCH | Catherine O’Hara died of blood clot:

Catherine O’Hara died of blood clot in lung, says medical examiner

Actor Catherine O’Hara died of a blood clot in her lung, according to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office. O’Hara died Jan. 30 at the age of 71.