‘Ozark’ and why it has been canceled after season 4 Will there be a spin-off?

Spoilers for ‘Ozark’ below

Netflix’s hit crime drama ‘Ozark’ has officially come to an end. 44 episodes, gallons of gore and countless stomach-churning deaths, starting with real estate agent Liz (Molly Leland) and ending with private investigator Mel Sattem (Adam Rothenberg).

Despite all the carnage and death-defying moments, the Byrdes still survive as a unit. Impressive. We have to give credit to Wendy (Laura Linney) and Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman). The duo really know how to dig through the trenches and come out smelling like roses.

Over its four-season, five-year span, ‘Ozark’ has racked up a ton of accolades, including two Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series, as well as a loyal fan base. So why is it over?

Why has ‘Ozark’ been cancelled?

It seems that the showrunner, Chris Mundy, always intended to close in four/five seasons, or so Bateman has hinted. In an interview with ColliderBateman revealed:

I think Chris knew where he would like to land the plane. Somewhere around here, I think there’s always been the supposed area of ​​three seasons, four seasons, five seasons, something like that. Depending on the kind of tone of what these characters are doing and the rate of escalation in danger and plot, there’s a certain rhythm to that. Given the intelligence of Marty Byrde and Wendy Byrde, if they continue in this field much longer, they will either be killed or imprisoned. The alternative is to flatten that tone, but then you start to stall just for additional episodes and seasons.

Extending a show doesn’t seem to be Mundy’s style. In fact, the showrunner previously stated that he wanted to bring ‘Ozark’ to a satisfying end in The Hollywood Reporter:

I always want closure. I don’t want to feel bad. I want to feel like, ‘OK, that was the end of it.’ So hopefully people will feel the final outcome whether they like it or not, I don’t know. Hopefully, what remains for them will continue to be fun and exciting, but also very emotional for the Byrdes and Ruth.

Emotional is one way of putting it. The Missouri clan will need serial therapy after these harrowing events. About the ending, Jason Bateman told NME: “Hopefully, the audience will think, ‘Ah, they threaded the needle through a happy ending, but they’re limping.'”

Limping, crawling, crossing the finish line is certainly a valid takeaway from the ending, but just because Mundy has closed the curtain on the ‘Ozark’ arc doesn’t necessarily mean he’s done with the Byrdes or the rest of the Missouri team just yet. . Talk of a spin-off series has already begun to stir in the rumor mill, but what are the chances?

Will there be an ‘Ozark’ spin-off?

In an interview with The Hollywood ReporterMundy talked about the possibility of an ‘Ozark’ spin-off:

It is certainly something that has been raised by several people. Never say never, but right now we want to make sure we land this one the best we can.

Well, it’s landed, so come on Mundy. We want more.

Julia Garner’s Ruth Langmore has floated around the ‘Ozark’ sphere numerous times when it comes to potential spin-offs, but her unexpected final death puts a nail in the coffin for that idea. A Langmore prequel may be an option. Sure, Mundy could come up with a compelling story or two, but a juvenile Ruth committing petty crimes is a pretty tough sell.

There are few characters left alive and kicking who could star in a spin-off series. Jonah Byrde (Skylar Gaertner) is the most likely and interesting choice for a lead character. His trip to the ‘Ozark’ ends with him putting a bullet in the head of the ruthless Mel Sattem. This act, so at odds with his values, has the potential to trigger a series of events that could lead him down a complex path. For now though, we can only wait and see what Mundy does.

‘Ozark’ already has all its seasons, 4, complete on Netflix Spain.