Ozark is set to conclude with season four, part two, which is attributed to the alleged established running time that Netflix original series get.
Ozark premiered on Netflix in 2017, and the thrilling crime drama series has been one of the most popular series on the paid subscription video-on-demand platform since. Following the third season’s availability in March 2020, Netflix confirmed that Ozark was renewed for season four, which will also mark its series finale.
The announcement revealed that the fourth season would break from the already established convention of season releases consisting of 10-episodes. Instead, season four would have 14 episodes divided into two parts.
The conclusion of Ozark has been placed on the running time for Netflix original series on the platform.
What is Ozark about?
Netflix’s hit crime drama series Ozark has earned three Primetime Emmys in its five-year run.
The thrilling crime drama series was created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams and according to IMDB, is premised on, “A financial advisor drags his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where he must launder money to appease a drug boss.”
Martin “Marty” Byrde is the title character of the show, and is played by Jason Bateman. Bateman also doubles as a director of some of the episodes that are part of the series. His leading supporting actress is Laura Linney, who plays his wife, Wendy Byrde.
Why did Netflix cancel Ozark?
Television viewers are used to the fact that if a show is a hit for its network, then the network continues to renew the show until it either drops in ratings enough to be cancelled or internal issues make it expensive to produce.
However, this is not the case with paid subscription video-on-demand platforms. It seems that whether a series is popular with its subscribers or not, it still has a shelf life. Seemingly, this is also the case with the Ozark.
Following the availability of season three in March 2020, Netflix revealed that Ozark has been renewed for its fourth season in June 2020.
Moreover, Netflix also revealed that season four will consist of 14 episodes in order to properly conclude the series without extending it to a total of five seasons.
The conclusion was as Netflix original series have an average shelf life of three to four seasons, before they are in most cases, brought to an organic end by the platform.
Why is Ozark season 4 in 2 parts?
When Netflix made the announcement that the series was renewed for a 14-episode season four, it also revealed that the season will be released in two parts.
At the time, reasons for the decision to break away from the expected 10 episodes were not revealed. However, in the promotional run for season four, part one, it was finally revealed.
It was stated that the 14 episodes were a compromise between Netflix and producers of the show. This is as an extended season four allows for the story to conclude concisely, without the need for a fifth season.
When was Ozark season 3, part 1 released?
Ozark season four, part one was released in January 2022. The seven-episode part one was almost two years in the making, as season three of Ozark premiered in March 2020. Ahead of season four, the show was expected to have a one-year hiatus between seasons.
However, due to the pandemic and the delays it caused in the chain-of-production in the film and television industry, it is believed that Ozark happened to be one of the casualties, hence the extended delay.
What to expect from Ozark season 4, part 2
Ozark season four, part one ended with a cliffhanger, as Omar Navarro was impulsively arrested by FBI Agent Miller, against the instructions of her superiors.
Therefore, season two is set to start with the fallout from the arrest for the central characters.
However, Chris Mundy, Ozark’s showrunner and executive producer also explained that the aim is to focus on the dynamic of the nuclear family, the Byrdes, by in part sharing, “In terms of tone, we’re going deeper into the family and their bonds. Is family the ultimate bond? Is friendship? Is marriage? At what point is it almost unhealthy to stay, even if you love somebody?”
Conclusion
Ozark is arguably one of the most popular watches on Netflix. The crime drama series filled with unexpected and thrilling plot twists has been running for five years, with a total of four, technically three and half seasons to date, owing to the effects of the pandemic on production.
Season three was made available in March 2020, with a confirmation from Netflix on season four’s renewal, which came just three months later.
The post also confirmed that season four will consist of 14 episodes divided into two parts to concisely tell the story without extending to a fifth season of a Netflix original, which is a rare occurrence.