Everything We Know About The Netflix Show

The hit Netflix show ended in 2022, but there are still loose ends that could be tied up in a potential Ozark season 5. Will it happen?

Summary

• The finale of Ozark Season 4 skillfully ties up key storylines, leaving fans with a mixture of satisfaction and longing for more of the intense storytelling and stellar performances that made the show acclaimed.
• Although Season 5 of Ozark has not been confirmed, there is potential for a continuation of the story through a movie or spinoff series, as hinted by the show's creator and star, Jason Bateman.
• The future of Ozark Season 5 remains uncertain, but there is speculation that it could explore the Byrde family's political clout and navigate new threats or challenges, providing a fresh and compelling storyline for the characters.

Netflix's Ozark concluded its riveting narrative with the fourth season, leaving fans with a bittersweet mixture of satisfaction and longing for Ozark season 5. The series, which premiered in 2017, was acclaimed for its gritty portrayal of a family entangled in money laundering and criminal enterprises and consistently received praise for its intense storytelling and stellar performances. Its finale was no exception, as The Ozark season 4 ending skillfully ties up several key storylines, including the fate of the Byrde family and their entanglement with the Navarro Cartel. Marty (Jason Bateman) and Wendy Byrde (Laura Linney) faced immense challenges, from dealing with the FBI to confronting the ruthless cartel.

The finale presented a mixture of victory and loss, with the Byrdes managing to survive. Wendy and Marty secured funding for the Byrde Family Foundation, making them bulletproof. However, despite the conclusive tone of the final season, the show's immense popularity has led to a clamor for more. Ozark's success has sparked a conversation about the potential continuation of the story, with various theories and possibilities, demonstrating the show's lasting impact on its audience. The finale ties up most loose ends, making Ozark season 5 a challenging task, but there are still ways it can happen and more stories the Ozark universe can tell.

Ozark Season 4 Cast & Character Guide (And Every Character Who Died)

Ozark Season 5 Not Confirmed - But A Movie & Spinoff Have Been Discussed

There has been no official confirmation of Ozark season 5. The series was initially planned and concluded as a four-season arc, as Ozark season 4 was an extended season so the showrunner could tell the full story. The creatives have also expressed that they've told the story they set out to tell. However, Jason Bateman, the star and director of the series, has expressed his openness to revisiting the world of Ozark, albeit in a different format. The idea of an Ozark movie or a spinoff series has been floated, with Bateman indicating that if the right story came along, he would be interested in returning to the Ozark universe.

The Ozark cast and crew have discussed the possibility of an Ozark movie or spinoff in conversation with Jimmy Kimmel. At an FYC event, Ozark showrunner Chris Mundy and Bateman stated that, while there's no specific plan, they are open to more projects set in the world of Ozark. Here is a full quote from Bateman regarding the series future:

It would have to be something that would allow for ghosts, because we’ve got a lot of them we’d want back.

A movie could provide a more focused, high-stakes continuation or conclusion to the story, while a spinoff could explore the lives of the secondary characters in more depth. However, Bateman's comment suggests that the creators need to find a way to bring back Ozark characters who have been killed off, possibly hinting at a prequel or a spinoff or movie that's partly told through flashbacks. This interest in expanding the Ozark universe suggests that while Ozark season 5 might not be on the horizon, the story could continue in new and interesting ways.

Bateman also addressed the fact that he'd want to return to the Ozark world simply because of how satisfying working on the first four seasons was. The actor commented:

Any job or work environment that was positive, and where you loved the people you were working with and you loved the product you were creating, you’d love to return to it. It’s hard to maintain something that is really pleasurable all the time. And we had that with “Ozark.” So I’d do it again in a second, because what we had just doesn’t happen often.

Ozark Season 5 Cast

Regarding the cast for a potential fifth season, it's a mixture of certainty and conjecture, as their return would heavily depend on the plot direction of the new season, with possibilities ranging from a direct continuation of the Byrde family saga to an entirely new storyline focusing on different characters within the Ozark universe. However, based on the events of season 4, particularly its climactic finale, there are a number of characters and actors who certainly won't return given their fate. Ruth Langmore (Julia Garner) will be absent in Ozark season 5 given that Camila Elizondro (Verónica Falcón) shot her dead.

Julia Garner, Adam Rothenberg, and others can't return unless Ozark season 5 is part prequel.

Similarly, Mel Sattem (Adam Rothenberg) died in Ozark off-screen, and while off-screen deaths in TV shows are usually indicators that they aren't really dead, Mel's fate was confirmed by Ozark co-creator Bill Dubuque. Nevertheless, other main cast members could potentially reprise their roles. Given that Bateman and Linney were the show's two protagonists, and that Bateman has said he'd love to return, Ozark season 5 would likely see them reprise their roles as Marty and Wendy. New characters could be introduced to revitalize the story and add a new dynamic to the existing narrative too, but as season 5 is not confirmed, any potential new Ozark actors are all speculation.

Ozark Season 5 Story Details

In the absence of any confirmed details from the cast or crew, speculation about the story of Ozark season 5 can be derived from the events of season 4. The series finale saw the Byrde family starting their foundation, and a potential new season could delve into the Byrdes' future, where there's also scope for exploring new threats or challenges as they attempt to navigate their perpetually complex lives. Mundy has discussed the Ozark's Byrde family future in five years and where he thinks they'll be, which paves the way for a fantastic Ozark season 5 story. Here's what Mundy said in full about the Byrdes' future:

[The Byrdes] run to the Midwest, and in some ways, they're going to have the political clout to dictate national politics.

This insight opens up a fascinating avenue for a potential Ozark season 5, suggesting a shift from their current predicaments to a more politically charged arena. Such a development would not only elevate the stakes but also add a fresh layer to the intricate tapestry of the show. The possibility of the Byrdes leveraging their criminal savvy in the political sphere aligns with the show's theme of power dynamics and moral ambiguity. It promises a new realm of challenges and ethical dilemmas for the characters, ensuring that any continuation of the story remains as compelling and unpredictable as the series has been known for.

Alternatively, the show could switch perspectives by focusing on the FBI instead of the Byrde family, as one of the Ozark season 4 loose ends is the FBI's investigation into the cartel. Either way, the beauty of Ozark lies in its richly drawn characters and intricate plotting, leaving ample room for creative storytelling in any potential new season, spinoff, or even a movie.

Where to Watch Ozark

Ozark

Release Date

July 21, 2017

Cast

Julia Garner , Katrina Lenk , Damian Young , Felix Solis , Joseph Sikora , Sofia Hublitz , John Bedford Lloyd , Charlie Tahan , Jessica Frances Dukes , Ali Stroker , Lisa Emery , Adam Rothenberg , Laura Linney , Skylar Gaertner , CC Castillo , Jason Bateman , Bruno Bichir , Alfonso Herrera

Story By

Bill Dubuque

Writers

Bill Dubuque

Directors

Bill Dubuque

Showrunner

Bill Dubuque