It’s been well over two decades since an underrated gem in TV history came to a whirlwind end – and this is your sign to binge it.
For many fans, this six-season show heralded in HBO’s golden age with megahits like The Wire, The Sopranos and Six Feet Under following in its footsteps, so for any TV connoisseurs out there, it’s essentially a must-watch.
Now, I’m sure you’re already on the edge of your seat, wondering which series I could possibly be going on about.
Well, I’ll put you out of your misery. It is: Oz.
A modest name for a groundbreaking show, this US prison drama (1997 to 2003) is set inside Oswald Maximum Security Prison, more specifically in a unit aptly named Emerald City, which focuses on ‘prisoner rehabilitation over public retribution’.
It’s jam-packed with warring factions. explosive action sequences and shocking twists that will leave your jaw agape – all with a hopeful thread woven throughout.
The stacked cast of the Tom Fontana-created drama includes TV legends such as JK Simmons, Rita Moreno, Ernie Hudson and Harold Perrineau.
And, even though it has been just over 23 years since the finale, it still remains a fan-favourite to this day – with many urging the new generation of TV lovers to discover this highly-rated classic.
‘There’s no other show quite like Oz (prison or not), and it’s my pick for the most underrated show ever made,’ EntertainmentOK1861 wrote on Reddit.
Fellow user ilovelights said: ‘One of my favourite shows. JK Simmons is fantastic,’ although warned that the show does go off the rails slightly in later seasons.
‘It’s definitely the top 3 best prison series out there still,’ SkyDaddy8585 shared.
‘It’s haunting, interesting, and thought-provoking. It made me realise that I never want to go to jail or prison…ever,’ Thodgson reflected.
‘Oz is the best prison series ever made,’ Eligius4917 declared.
Best prison dramas according to IMDb
- Prison Break
- Orange is the New Black
- Oz
- Superjail!
- The Night Of
- For Life
- When They See Us
- Porridge
- Prison Playbook
- Buried
‘JK Simmons is amazing as usual but the whole cast is pretty good. Tons of cameos and small appearances for actors you’ll see on other HBO shows,’ antelope591 echoed.
‘Yes it’s definitely worth [the watch]. You will know within a few episodes if it’s a show for you, but I thoroughly enjoyed the binge,’ Dinosaurscantwin advised.
The show raked in glowing reviews when it was first coming out as well.
At the time, the Sydney Morning Herald called it ‘great TV’ and, in a sweetly dated comment, added: ‘If you’re looking for an excuse to get cable TV, this could be it’.
‘Viewers will find themselves completely engrossed in the power politics and elaborate rituals of penitentiary life,’ The Montreal Gazette promised.
‘Some viewers may be repelled by the sheer concentration of ugliness… But you won’t escape easily from this drama’s grip,’ People magazine postulated.
Speaking about its legacy in 2017, Tom told Esquire: ‘We were really in uncharted territory, because HBO had never done a drama series before.’
Meanwhile, actor Dean Winters said of his experience filming the show: ‘Oz was such a gift. But it’s tough because it’s like flying private for your first flight and then having to fly commercial for the rest of your life. Nothing has even remotely come close to it.’
Oz is available to stream on Paramount Plus now.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.