The OA: Netflix’s Cancelled Sci-Fi Masterpiece Of The 2010s

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Nine years ago, Netflix released The OA, a standout sci-fi series from the 2010s. Despite its quality, the show was canceled after just two seasons. It seems the list of all-time great sci-fi TV shows is constantly being refreshed with newer content, thanks to the high quality of science fiction being produced for streaming services.

Shows like Westworld, Stranger Things, Black Mirror, and The Expanse consistently appear on “best of” lists, and many of them are available on Netflix. Despite its tendency to cancel shows prematurely, Netflix generally gives science fiction series a chance – with the notable exception of The OA.

What Is The OA About?

The OA is a Netflix series that originally aired for two seasons, starting in December 2016. It’s a blend of mystery, science fiction, and fantasy, and tells the story of Prairie Johnson (played by Brit Marling), a young woman who returns home after being missing for seven years. Interestingly, she was blind when she disappeared but can now see.

She bears unexplained scars on her back and now calls herself “the OA,” claiming to be the “Original Angel.” She won’t tell anyone – not the police or her family – where she’s been, but is determined to gather a team of five people she believes are particularly resilient.

The OA shares her incredible life story with five people, explaining she was once held captive in another dimension. Now, she needs their help to return and rescue those she left behind. The second season, which began in March 2019 after a three-year gap, finds the OA back in that alternate dimension.

This San Francisco sees the OA searching for Hap, the man who held her and others captive. Meanwhile, in her original world, the five people who followed the OA are on a road trip across the country, hoping to help her however possible.

The OA Could’ve Been One Of The Defining Shows Of The 2010s

The OA was becoming a standout sci-fi series of the 2010s, and potentially one of the most significant shows of the entire decade. Its first season received a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers highlighting its unique visuals, intriguing mystery, and embrace of the unusual.

Despite praising the show’s acting and dialogue, some critics found its complex mystery and blend of genres difficult to follow. The deliberate twists and confusing plotlines sometimes overshadowed the strong performances and writing.

Season 2 received a high rating of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and was a significant improvement over the first season, while still maintaining the qualities that made the original so special. The new season quickly addressed major unanswered questions from Season 1, opening up opportunities for even more complex storylines.

Season two of The OA is more focused and fast-paced than the first, with every scene contributing to the story. It’s also even stranger, more ambitious, and more dreamlike. If the show hadn’t been cancelled, it’s exciting to think about how amazing it could have become.

Netflix Pulled The Plug On The OA Too Soon

After the second season of The OA, viewers believed the show could continue to deliver compelling mysteries with satisfying resolutions. Sadly, Netflix canceled it before those storylines could be explored.

Netflix unexpectedly canceled the show on August 5, 2019, shortly after its second season received positive reviews (according to The Hollywood Reporter). Fans were quick to react, launching campaigns on Twitter with the hashtag #TheOAisReal (as reported by NME), creating petitions on Change.org (via People magazine), and even posting videos of themselves performing the show’s signature “Movement” (according to The Daily Dot).

A dedicated fan protested the show’s cancellation so strongly they began a hunger strike outside Netflix’s Los Angeles office. According to Vanity Fair, creators Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij supported the fan by providing food and water. Netflix, as is typical for them, didn’t publicly explain why the show was canceled.

Netflix canceled several shows around the same time as The OA, including Tuca & Bertie, Designated Survivor, She’s Gotta Have It, and Chambers. However, in July 2025, Jason Isaacs shared on YouTube that he and the team were actively working to revive The OA.

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2025-12-13 22:09