Oz (1997)
HBO's landmark prison drama that shattered the boundaries of television, plunging viewers into the brutal, complex world of Emerald City's maximum-security inmates.
Oz - Series Information
- Original Title: Oz
- First Air Year: 1997
- Last Air Year: 2003
- Created by: Tom Fontana
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 58 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 6
- Number of Episodes: 56
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: July 12, 1997 (United States - TV-MA), July 12, 1997 (Canada - 18+), July 12, 1997 (United Kingdom - 18), July 12, 1997 (Germany - 16), July 12, 1997 (France - 16), July 12, 1997 (New Zealand - 18), July 12, 1997 (Australia - MA 15+), July 12, 1997 (Brazil - 18), July 12, 1997 (Mexico - C), July 12, 1997 (Italy - VM14), July 12, 1997 (Spain - 18), July 12, 1997 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: HBO
- Alternative Titles: Тюрьма «Оз» (RU), Oz: A Vida é uma Prisão (BR), 오즈 (KR)
- Production Companies: The Levinson/Fontana Company, Rysher Entertainment
- Production Countries: United States of America
Oz - Plot
The daily lives of prisoners in Emerald City, an experimental unit of the Oswald Maximum Security Prison where ingroups - Muslims, Latinos, Italians, Aryans - stick close to their mutual friends and terrorize their mutual enemies.
Oz - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a glimpse of life inside Emerald City:
Life's not a word. It's a sentence.
Where to Watch Oz
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Oz - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Tom Fontana
Main Cast
- Lee Tergesen
- Harold Perrineau
- Dean Winters
- Eamonn Walker
- Ernie Hudson
- Terry Kinney
- Rita Moreno
- J.K. Simmons
- Kirk Acevedo
- Craig muMs Grant
Writers
- Tom Fontana
- Sunil Nayar
- Sean Whitesell
- Sean Jablonski
Executive Producers
- Tom Fontana
- Barry Levinson
- Jim Finnerty
Oz - FAQs
Where can you stream Oz online?
Oz is available to stream on Max (formerly HBO Max) and through the Max Amazon Channel. It can also be purchased digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region.
Is Oz based on a true story?
Oz is not based on a specific true story. Creator Tom Fontana drew inspiration from real-world prison conditions, systemic issues, and documented accounts of life inside maximum-security facilities to craft a fictional but grounded portrayal of incarceration in America.
Why is Oz considered a landmark television series?
Oz is widely regarded as the first one-hour drama produced by HBO, paving the way for prestige television. It tackled race, violence, sexuality, and institutional corruption with unprecedented frankness, influencing later groundbreaking series like The Sopranos and The Wire.
Who are the main actors in Oz?
The principal cast includes Lee Tergesen, Harold Perrineau, Dean Winters, Eamonn Walker, Ernie Hudson, Terry Kinney, Rita Moreno, J.K. Simmons, Kirk Acevedo, and Craig muMs Grant, among many others across the series' six-season run.
How many seasons and episodes does Oz have?
Oz ran for six seasons and 56 episodes in total. Season 4 was the longest with 16 episodes, while all other seasons contained 8 episodes each. The series premiered on July 12, 1997, and concluded in 2003.
What is the content rating for Oz?
Oz is rated TV-MA, meaning it is intended for mature audiences only. The series contains graphic violence, strong language, sexual content, and depictions of drug use. Viewer discretion is strongly advised, and it is not suitable for viewers under 17.
How was Oz received by critics and audiences?
Oz earned strong critical praise throughout its run for its bold storytelling, complex characters, and unflinching examination of the American prison system. It is frequently cited as a trailblazer of the prestige TV era and holds a devoted cult following decades after its finale.
Who created Oz and who produced it?
Oz was created by Tom Fontana, who also served as executive producer alongside Barry Levinson and Jim Finnerty. It was produced by The Levinson/Fontana Company and Rysher Entertainment, and aired exclusively on HBO from 1997 to 2003.
More About Oz
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