TV fans are being urged to binge-watch what many consider the best prison drama ever made, more than two decades after its finale. The show in question is Oz, the groundbreaking HBO series that aired from 1997 to 2003.
Why Oz Is a Must-Watch
Set inside Oswald Maximum Security Prison, specifically in a unit called Emerald City, the show focuses on prisoner rehabilitation over public retribution. It features warring factions, explosive action, and shocking twists, all woven with a thread of hope. The cast includes TV legends such as JK Simmons, Rita Moreno, Ernie Hudson, and Harold Perrineau.
Despite ending over 23 years ago, Oz remains a fan favorite, with many urging new generations to discover this classic. Reddit user EntertainmentOK1861 wrote: ‘There’s no other show quite like Oz (prison or not), and it’s my pick for the most underrated show ever made.’
Another user, ilovelights, called it ‘one of my favourite shows’ and praised JK Simmons, though warned the later seasons go off the rails slightly. SkyDaddy8585 shared: ‘It’s definitely the top 3 best prison series out there still. It’s haunting, interesting, and thought-provoking.’
Eligius4917 declared: ‘Oz is the best prison series ever made.’
Critical Acclaim and Legacy
When it first aired, Oz earned glowing reviews. The Sydney Morning Herald called it ‘great TV’ and said it was a reason to get cable. The Montreal Gazette promised viewers would be ‘completely engrossed in the power politics and elaborate rituals of penitentiary life.’ People magazine noted: ‘Some viewers may be repelled by the sheer concentration of ugliness… But you won’t escape easily from this drama’s grip.’
Creator Tom Fontana told Esquire in 2017: ‘We were really in uncharted territory, because HBO had never done a drama series before.’ Actor Dean Winters added: ‘Oz was such a gift. But it’s tough because it’s like flying private for your first flight and then having to fly commercial for the rest of your life. Nothing has even remotely come close to it.’
Oz is now available to stream on Paramount Plus.
