A mind-bending psychological thriller streaming on Netflix has been hailed as “captivating” – and fans are still desperate for a third season years after it was cancelled. The OA tells the story of Prairie Johnson, a woman who returns home to her adoptive family seven years after disappearing.
Her parents are astonished to discover Prairie is able to see, having been blind before she vanished, and she also bears troubling scars on her back. It becomes clear something deeply mysterious occurred in her absence, with Prairie referring to herself as the OA and refusing to tell the FBI what happened to her.
Brit Marling stars as Prairie (right) (Image: JoJo Whilden/Netflix)
Brit Marling in The OA (2016) netflix (Image: Publicity Picture)
With her parents increasingly worried about her mental state, Prairie confides in a group of high school students and their teacher and asks for their help in bring back other missing people – by entering another dimension.
Created and executive-produced by Zal Batmanglij and Brit Marling, who also stars as Prairie, the series was critically acclaimed and built up an obsessive following.
However, despite its success, the series was cancelled by Netflix after its second season (released in 2019) leaving the story on a huge cliffhanger and disappointing a dedicated group of fans.
Cindy Holland, Netflix’s head of original content said at the time: “We are incredibly proud of the 16 mesmerising chapters of The OA.
“We look forward to working with them again in the future, in this and perhaps many other dimensions.”
Though little is known about the decision to axe the show, its assumed that bosses at the streaming platform simply thought not enough people were watching it.
Brit Marling co-created the show (Image: Getty)
One fan gave the OA part II a five-star review on IMBd in 2019, writing: “Why Netflix? Why?! Please renew this show!!! I recently finished watching it and am obsessed with this unique world written by star Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij.
“The OA is so creative, mysterious, haunting, spiritual, magical, and captivating. I love the characters and really want to see more. Please save The OA.”
Another agreed, saying: “The music, suspense, drama, mystery, and horror of this show was enough to make me so invested in it and care for every character (except the bad ones who are in it for their own gain).
“Emotional and extremely compelling, especially the first season. Brit Marling shined wonderfully.”
A third wrote: “Loved the first season, watched it three times which I’ve never done with any other series. Two episodes into the second season and it’s brilliant. Brit Marling is an absolute genius. The story truly is exceptional.”
Seven years on from its cancellation, its fanbase is still desperate for more, with Redditors regularly posting on the r/TheOA subreddit about fan theories and speculation about a return that has never been officially confirmed.
The series features some distressing scenes, including depictions of drowning and near-death experiences so it may not be for everyone.
Series one and two of The OA are streaming on Netflix now.