Canceled Netflix Fan-Favorite Series That Stirred Worldwide Outcry Could Be Returning

Six years after Netflix suddenly canceled The OA, fans still hold out hope that the series might return. Recently, Jason Isaacs, who played Dr. Hunter Aloysius “Hap” Percy, spoke about the show during an interview on Jo Whiley’s BBC radio show.

Isaacs made it clear that the cast and creators are not ready to let the story go. “Zal [Batmanglij] and Brit [Marling] and I had dinner last week in Los Angeles, and there’s no chance for letting it go,” he said. “That’s all I can say. Not because I’m keeping secrets from you, but because we will not let it go.”

The OA is a unique show that mixes science fiction, fantasy, and supernatural elements. It was created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij. The story follows Prairie Johnson, played by Marling, who disappears as a young girl and mysteriously comes back years later with her sight restored.

Calling herself “The OA,” short for “Original Angel,” she gathers five strangers to join her on a secret mission.

The show first appeared on Netflix in 2016 and quickly gained praise from critics and fans alike. Marling and Batmanglij originally planned The OA to run for five seasons, but Netflix canceled the series in 2019 after the second season ended on a cliffhanger.

This cancellation upset many fans, who started a global campaign to save the show. At the time, Marling said she and Batmanglij were “deeply sad not to finish this story.”

After the cancellation, the creators were offered the chance to make a movie to wrap up the story. However, as Batmanglij explained, “since three seasons were still planned, it would force us to bring the three [remaining and planned] seasons into one and close it up,” which wouldn’t have done justice to the story or its fans.

Even years later, the cast and creators continue to dream about continuing the series. Marling told The Wrap in 2023, “We think about that story all the time.” In 2024, Brandon Perea, who played Alfonso “French” Sosa, said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, “I have a feeling it’s not over. I think they have a way to continue the story.”

Since the cancellation, the fan community has remained active. People share fan theories, create artwork, and keep the conversation alive on social media. Many fans continue to watch the first two seasons on Netflix, hoping for news of a comeback.

Even though there’s no official confirmation that The OA will return, the ongoing support from fans, the cast, and the creators shows there’s still life in the series. For now, fans can enjoy the episodes available on Netflix and keep hoping the story will one day continue.

Statement taken from Jo Whiley’s BBC radio show.

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