Television, as an art form, thrives on its ability to surprise, engage, and challenge us. Few series in recent years have done this as profoundly as The OA, a show that arrived almost unassumingly on Netflix in December 2016, only to etch itself deeply into the hearts of its viewers. And then, with little warning, it was gone. In a time when streaming services are as swift with their cancellations as they are with their greenlights, The OA stands out as one of the most lamented losses. Let me take you on a journey through the world of this extraordinary show, a journey that left me as mesmerised as I was heartbroken by its untimely demise.
Origins and Vision
The OA was the brainchild of Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, a creative duo who had already made waves in independent cinema with their films Sound of My Voice and The East. Their work was marked by a fascination with the intersection of human connection, spirituality, and the unexplained. With The OA, they were given a platform to expand these themes into a sprawling, multi-layered narrative that pushed the boundaries of television storytelling.
Marling herself took on the lead role as Prairie Johnson, a blind woman who returns to her small town after a seven-year disappearance—with her sight miraculously restored. From the outset, the show was unapologetically ambitious, weaving together elements of science fiction, fantasy, and mystery with a deeply personal and emotional core. It was a story about trauma, healing, and the search for meaning in an often chaotic and indifferent universe.
A Unique Narrative and Structure
What set The OA apart from almost anything else on television was its refusal to conform. The first season unfolded like a puzzle box, each episode revealing new layers of Prairie’s story. She shared her harrowing experiences in captivity with a group of misfit teenagers and their teacher, drawing them into her belief that her abductor, Hap (played with chilling precision by Jason Isaacs), had been conducting experiments on near-death experiences to unlock the secrets of interdimensional travel.
The series wasn’t content to simply tell a story—it wanted to immerse you in its world. The choreography of the “Movements,” the intricate gestures that Prairie believed could open portals to other dimensions, was hypnotic and strangely beautiful. I remember watching these sequences for the first time, feeling both sceptical and strangely moved. This was television at its most daring, asking us to suspend our disbelief and embrace its peculiar logic.
Stellar Cast and Performances
Brit Marling’s performance as Prairie was nothing short of mesmerising. She brought a vulnerability and quiet strength to the role that made her character’s extraordinary journey feel grounded and relatable. But she wasn’t alone in her brilliance. The ensemble cast—including Emory Cohen as Homer, Patrick Gibson as Steve, Phyllis Smith as Betty, and Kingsley Ben-Adir as Karim in the second season—delivered nuanced, heartfelt performances that elevated the show’s complex narrative.
Jason Isaacs’ portrayal of Dr. Hunter Aloysius Percy, or Hap, was a masterclass in subtle villainy. He was terrifying not because he was overtly evil, but because he was utterly convinced of the righteousness of his actions. Hap wasn’t a cartoonish antagonist; he was a man whose obsession and hubris led him to commit unspeakable acts in the name of discovery.
Reception and Impact
When The OA premiered, it quickly developed a devoted following. Critics praised its originality and boldness, though it wasn’t without its detractors. Some found its blend of genres and unconventional storytelling too strange, even pretentious. But for those of us who connected with it, the show felt like a revelation. It wasn’t just entertainment; it was an experience.
Fans took to social media to share their theories and interpretations, dissecting every scene for hidden meanings and clues. The show’s ambiguity invited this kind of engagement, making it feel like a collaborative effort between the creators and their audience. It was, in every sense, a community.
Season Two and a World Expanded
The second season, released in 2019, took the story to even greater heights. Subtitled Part II, it expanded the narrative beyond Prairie’s original dimension, introducing new characters and settings while deepening the mysteries of the first season. The shift in focus to a tech-driven subplot involving a missing girl and a surreal, video game-like alternate reality was bold and, to some, disorienting. But it was also thrilling, a testament to the show’s refusal to play it safe.
Season two ended on a cliffhanger so audacious that it still haunts me. Without giving too much away, it blurred the lines between fiction and reality in a way that felt both exhilarating and maddening. It was a promise of even greater revelations to come—a promise that, tragically, would go unfulfilled.
The Cancellation and Aftermath
When Netflix announced the cancellation of The OA in August 2019, the outcry was immediate and intense. Fans launched petitions, organised flash mobs performing the show’s Movements, and flooded social media with hashtags like #SaveTheOA. For many of us, it wasn’t just about losing a favourite show—it felt like an injustice, a betrayal of the creative risks that had made Netflix a haven for boundary-pushing storytelling in the first place.
I remember feeling a profound sense of loss when the news broke. The OA had always felt like more than just a television series; it was a piece of art, a philosophical exploration, and a love letter to the power of storytelling. To see it cut short was devastating.
Legacy and Potential
In the years since its cancellation, The OA has only grown in stature. It’s become a cult classic, a show that fans passionately champion to anyone who will listen. Its themes of resilience, faith, and the interconnectedness of all things resonate as strongly as ever. The unanswered questions and unresolved storylines have taken on a life of their own, sparking endless speculation and fan fiction.
I often wonder what might have been. Marling and Batmanglij had reportedly planned for five seasons, a grand, cohesive narrative that would have tied together every thread and mystery. What new dimensions might we have explored? What truths might we have uncovered? It’s tantalising to imagine.
Why The OA Matters
Ultimately, The OA is a testament to the power of storytelling to inspire, challenge, and connect us. It dared to be different, to ask big questions, and to trust its audience to follow it into the unknown. In an era of safe, formulaic content, it was a beacon of creativity and ambition.
So here’s to The OA: a show that burned brightly, if briefly, and left an indelible mark on all who experienced it. While its story may remain unfinished, its impact is undeniable. It reminded us of the magic of television at its best—and the heartbreak of seeing that magic cut short.
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