The OA (Series)

The OA is an American science fiction and science drama series created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij. The first season was released in 2016 and the second season in 2019 on the Netflix platform. The series, consisting of two seasons with eight episodes each, was canceled before the planned third season.

The central character, Prairie Johnson, became blind after a accident she experienced in Russia as a child and was subsequently adopted by a family in the United States. After disappearing in her early twenties, she was unaccounted for seven years until she suddenly reappeared. Prairie’s return attracted attention not only because of her long disappearance but also because she regained her sight despite having been blind before vanishing. Identifying herself as “OA” (Original Angel), Prairie begins sharing her story with a small group around her to explain what happened to her. The series has a multilayered structure built around these narratives, character relationships and perceptions of reality.

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Identity and the Search for Self

The series focuses on the identity search of several characters, beginning with Prairie. The concept of identity is examined not only in biological or social contexts but also on a metaphysical level.

Reality and Belief

The supernatural and metaphysical elements within the narrative prompt questions about the boundaries between reality and belief. The truth of OA’s accounts remains unconfirmed and deliberately left open to interpretation.

Trauma and the Healing Process

Prairie’s experiences encompass not only individual trauma but also the collective journey of a group in search of shared experience and meaning. The narrative structure addresses reactions and healing processes following trauma through indirect and symbolic means.

Multiverse and Consciousness Transfer

This theme becomes particularly prominent in the second season. The narrative is shaped within the framework of the multiverse theory and explores the possibility of individuals moving between different realities. In this context, concepts such as memory, identity and experience transfer are central.

Community and Solidarity

The characters gathered around Prairie form a bond by expressing their personal struggles within a shared narrative framework. This unity extends beyond merely listening to the story; participation in the narrative is made tangible through rituals involving bodily movements.

Prairie Johnson / OA (Brit Marling)

The central character of the series. Adopted as a blind girl, she disappeared and returned seven years later with her sight restored. She identifies herself as OA and claims her past experiences involve a multidimensional structure.

Hap (Jason Isaacs)

Dr. Hunter Aloysius Percy (Hap) is a character who conducts unethical experiments driven by scientific curiosity. He kidnaps Prairie to study various death experiences. He embodies the conflict between science and conscience.

Homer (Emory Cohen)

A young man who was imprisoned alongside Prairie and formed an emotional bond with her. Over the course of the series, his character gains multiple layers through the show’s discussions of alternate realities and consciousness transfer.

BBA (Phyllis Smith)

A teacher who guides the group of young people gathered around Prairie. Initially appearing as an ordinary figure, she gradually assumes an active role within the narrative.

Steve Winchell (Patrick Gibson)

At first glance, he appears aggressive and antisocial, but his connection with Prairie accelerates his inner transformation. Under OA’s influence, he moves beyond his defensive personality and joins the group’s process of solidarity.

The series employs a narrative structure that does not adhere to a linear time flow. Flashbacks, shifting perspectives, stream-of-consciousness techniques and transitions between different realities create a multilayered structure. The fusion of ritual movements and verbal storytelling gives the series a distinctive narrative style.

The OA features ritual movements that hold significant formal and thematic importance within the narrative. A five-stage choreography composed of specific bodily movements is repeatedly performed by the characters as a means of communication and transition. These movements are constructed not merely as physical actions but as meaningful symbols within the narrative.

The ritual sequence consists of synchronized bodily movements performed by the characters as a group, generating a sense of intuitive unity. Each section of the choreography symbolizes specific functions including healing, protection, transition or passage to another plane. The fact that these movements are executed without any verbal communication highlights the nonverbal dimension of the narrative.

The series was canceled by Netflix after two seasons. This decision sparked reactions among viewers and creators alike. The show’s creators stated that the story remained unfinished. Although various online campaigns were launched after the cancellation, no new season has been produced.