The OA (2016)
A visionary Netflix sci-fi drama about a missing woman who returns with inexplicable abilities and an extraordinary story to tell.
The OA - Series Information
- Original Title: The OA
- First Air Year: 2016
- Last Air Year: 2019
- Created by: Brit Marling, Zal Batmanglij
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Mystery, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 16
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: December 16, 2016 (United States - TV-MA), December 16, 2016 (Canada - 18+), December 16, 2016 (United Kingdom - 15), December 16, 2016 (Germany - 16), December 16, 2016 (France - 16), December 16, 2016 (India - A), December 16, 2016 (New Zealand - 16), December 16, 2016 (Australia - MA 15+), December 16, 2016 (Brazil - 16), December 16, 2016 (Mexico - C)
- Networks: Netflix
- Alternative Titles: המלאך המקורי (IL), L'AO (CA), 祖使 (CN), Η OA (GR), OA (KR), ジ・オーエー (JP)
- Production Companies: Plan B Entertainment, Anonymous Content
- Production Countries: United States of America
The OA - Plot
Seven years after vanishing from her home, a young woman returns with mysterious new abilities and recruits five strangers for a secret mission.
The OA - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get your first look at the world of The OA:
This is a dream but you're wide awake.
Where to Watch The OA
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The OA - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Brit Marling
- Zal Batmanglij
Main Cast
- Brit Marling
- Jason Isaacs
- Emory Cohen
- Phyllis Smith
- Patrick Gibson
- Brendan Meyer
- Brandon Perea
- Will Brill
- Sharon Van Etten
- Ian Alexander
Writers
- Brit Marling
- Zal Batmanglij
- Dominic Orlando
- Damien Ober
- Henry Bean
Executive Producers
- Brit Marling
- Jeremy Kleiner
- Zal Batmanglij
- Sarah Esberg
- Dede Gardner
The OA - FAQs
Why was The OA cancelled by Netflix?
Netflix cancelled The OA in 2019 after two seasons, citing viewership and strategic content decisions. Creators Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij had envisioned a five-part story, making the cancellation particularly disappointing for fans who had invested deeply in its complex mythology and unresolved cliffhangers.
What do the five movements mean in The OA?
The five movements are a sequence of ritualistic, choreographed gestures central to the series' mythology. Learned by OA and fellow captives, they function as a form of interdimensional travel or resurrection. Their meaning deepens across both seasons, blending elements of near-death experience, surrealism, and spiritual transcendence into the show's core narrative.
Where can you stream The OA?
The OA is available to stream exclusively on Netflix, including Netflix Standard with Ads. Both seasons — Part I and Part II — are available in full. You can check regional availability and compare all viewing options through JustWatch.
Is The OA based on a true story?
The OA is not based on a true story. It is an original creation by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij. However, the series draws on real philosophical and spiritual concepts, including near-death experiences, sensory deprivation research, and theories about consciousness and dimensional reality.
Who are the main cast members of The OA?
The OA stars Brit Marling as OA / Nina Azarova, Jason Isaacs as the menacing Dr. Hap Percy, Emory Cohen as Homer Roberts, Phyllis Smith as Betty Broderick-Allen, Patrick Gibson as Steve Winchell, Brandon Perea as French Sosa, Ian Alexander as Buck Vu, and Sharon Van Etten as Rachel.
How many seasons and episodes does The OA have?
The OA ran for two seasons totalling 16 episodes. Season 1, subtitled Part I, consists of 8 episodes and premiered on December 16, 2016. Season 2, subtitled Part II, also contains 8 episodes and was released in March 2019, before Netflix cancelled the series.
What is The OA about?
The OA follows Prairie Johnson, a young blind woman who resurfaces after seven years missing — now able to see and calling herself “The OA.” She gathers five strangers and shares her harrowing story of captivity, near-death experiments, and her belief in a mission that transcends dimensions. Critics praised its bold, unconventional storytelling.
Did The OA receive positive reviews from critics?
The OA earned largely positive critical reception, particularly for its originality and ambition. Season 1 holds a Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers applauding Brit Marling's performance and the series' daring narrative structure. Season 2 was similarly praised for expanding its surrealist mythology in inventive, unexpected directions.
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