Oz_
"Life's not a word. It's a sentence."
The daily lives of prisoners in Emerald City, an experimental unit of the Oswald Maximum Security Prison where ingroups - Muslims, Latinos, Italians, Aryans - stick close to their mutual friends and terrorize their mutual enemies.
Created By
Tom Fontana
Network
HBO
Episodes
56
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Overview
Oz has 6 seasons with 56 episodes spanning 1997-2003.
Rating
With a 8.0/10 rating from 812 votes, Oz is considered highly rated.
Year context
Oz first aired 29 years ago in 1997.
CAST (20)
Lee Tergesen
Tobias Beecher
Harold Perrineau
Augustus Hill
Dean Winters
Ryan O'Reily
Eamonn Walker
Kareem Saïd
Ernie Hudson
Leo Glynn
Terry Kinney
Tim McManus
Rita Moreno
Sister Peter Marie Reimondo
J.K. Simmons
Vernon Schillinger
Kirk Acevedo
Miguel Alvarez
Craig muMs Grant
Poet
BD Wong
Father Ray Mukada
Tom Mardirosian
Agamemnon Busmalis
Christopher Meloni
Chris Keller
Scott William Winters
Cyril O'Reily
Ra Hanna
Nacim Bismilla
David Zayas
Enrique Morales
Chuck Zito
Chucky Pancamo
GA
Granville Adams
Zahir Arif
George Morfogen
Bob Rebadow
Luna Lauren Vélez
Dr. Gloria Nathan
SEASONS (6 seasons, 56 episodes)
SEASON 1
01
The Routine
In the "Emerald City" experimental unit of Oswald State Penitentiary, we meet some of the diverse inmates who live within a pecking order of Homeboys,…
02
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise
With Schibetta and the prison brass in a race to uncover Ortolani's killer (for very different reasons), we see how inmates react to visits from…
03
God's Chillin'
As friction grows in the wake of increasing deaths, Schibetta, Saïd, and Keane are brought together by Glynn, who tells them to keep their respective…
04
Capital P
Governor Devlin has reinstated capital punishment in the state, and the first Oz prisoner scheduled to die is Keane.
05
Straight Life
The infiltration of drugs into Oz has reached unprecedented levels, and the undercover efforts of McManus and Glynn to find out who's smuggling them in…
06
To Your Health
Three generations of Alvarezes—all prisoners at Oz—are united when the partiarch, Ricardo, is found face down in his cell, suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Meanwhile, Beecher,…
07
Plan B
A recovered Saïd ostracizes Mershah for turning his back on him when he was dying—and orders the rest of the Muslims to do the same.…
08
A Game of Checkers
Beecher is released from the hole and Schillinger is left eyeless and weak. A riot breaks out after two white punks get into a fight…
SEASON 2
01
The Tip
In the aftermath of the riot that killed six inmates and two officers, Oz is locked down, and Emerald City prisoners are sent either to…
02
Ancient Tribes
Ten months after the riot, Em City re-opens. A recovered McManus creates a council of group representatives to keep order, and initiates GED classes to…
03
Great Men
Alvarez knows who raped Glynn's daughter, but refuses to tell the warden. Wangler is making progress at school, but his cellmate, Adebisi, isn't a fan…
04
Losing Your Appeal
Augustus Hill's court appeal is denied, despite the efforts of Said, who has better luck getting Poet's poems published. Meanwhile, O'Reily survives his lumpectomy, and…
05
Family Bizness
With their enmity at a boiling point, Adebisi poisons Schibetta -- but not fatally. Now that his brother has turned himself in for murder, Glynn…
06
Strange Bedfellows
Schilinger enlists Said to get him out of jail, but Said backs out. McManus decides not to incriminate Wittlesey in Ross's death. A recovered Schibetta…
07
Animal Farm
Cyril O'Reily, Ryan's brother comes to Oz and is immediately violated by Schillinger. Ryan tries to get him away from OZ, but Cyril instead lands…
08
Escape from Oz
Wittlesey is transferred to Gen Pop and replaced by Karl Metzger, a Nazi. Mack and another Aryan try to escape through Busmalis and Rebadow's tunnel…
SEASON 3
01
The Truth and Nothing But...
In addition to the name change to "Oswald State Correctional Facility," more changes abound. Newbies Coyle, Kahn, and Ricardo arrive and partner up with Wangler,…
02
Napoleon's Boney Parts
The hack ain't comin' back, and everyone's trying to figure out who did the deed; especially Schillinger and Said. McManus hires a new officer Sean…
03
Legs
With a new day breaking, Officer Howell makes a gruesome discovery. Dr. Nathan takes action against medical official Garvey. Ricardo and Hughes have a brief…
04
Unnatural Disasters
Andy Schillinger arrives to Oz and Vern tries to get Warden Glynn to move Andy in with him. McManus is sued for sexual harassment. Sister…
05
U.S. Male
After getting pummeled by Khan in a boxing match, Kenny discovers his wife's infidelity and arranges a contract. Miguel prepares to meet his victim face…
06
Cruel and Unusual Punishments
When Cudney threatens to spill the truth about Cyril's "wins", Ryan solicits Kosygin for help. He then schemes to have Kosygin and Stanislofsky eliminated and…
07
Secret Identities
Sister Pete's anger is roused and forces her to confession. Wangler and Adebisi register a complaint to the Warden. Yet another inmate meets with demise.…
08
Out o' Time
When his plea for an expedited return to solitary goes on deaf ears, Miguel takes matters into his own hands. Glynn finds out who raped…
SEASON 4
01
A Cock and Balls Story
The lockdown ends. After Hamid Khan's body is taken off life support, the Muslim's choose Arif to lead them. Meanwhile, Cyril's having nightmares about delivering…
02
Obituaries
Mobay has his first meeting with Adebisi. Glynn fires McManus after Tim makes a foolish outburst during the slain CO's memorial service. Sister Pete still…
03
The Bill of Wrongs
All is crazy after Busmalis and Alvarez flee from Oz via one of Busmalis' tunnels. Hernandez discloses details about the shooting to Glynn and mentions…
04
Works of Mercy
The kidnapping of Beecher's children has everyone upset and Beecher inconsolable. Schillinger gets questioned and of course, claims to know nothing about the deed. Beecher…
05
Gray Matter
Things get a bit lively on death row after Shirley Bellinger's execution-- Miles begins painting a self-portrait, Ginzburg's health deteriorates from AIDS and Deyell severely…
06
A Word to the Wise
An investigation into Goergen's death starts and Mobay's anxious when the investigator targets him first. Tensions begin to rise as Querns turns a seemingly deaf…
07
A Town Without Pity
Ryan and Howell get frisky. After leaving the hole and apologizing to Busmalis for the stabbing Rebadow suffers an attack due to a brain tumor.…
08
You Bet Your Life
After Hughes's attack on Devlin, Glynn withdraws from the race. Alvarez is still on the loose. Supreme Allah gets an unwanted surprise.
09
Medium Rare
Adebisi's death still looms large over Oz. Against Glynn's better judgement and with special permission from the Gov., a TV news crew comes to Oz…
10
Conversions
New inmate Burr Redding arrives and stands ready to assume control of the drug business. Dr. Nathan returns. Tidd approaches Schillinger with a plan to…
11
Revenge is Sweet
Robson and Hoyt tell Rev. Cloutier to back off of Schillinger. Schillinger and Beecher have their first counseling interaction session. Tidd continues to get close…
12
Cuts Like a Knife
O'Reily regrets getting Cyril involved with the trial drug when it starts taking effect. Meanwhile, Giles's request for an unusual method of execution creates controversy…
13
Blizzard of '01
O'Reily is in for a surprise when a visitor reveals the truth about his past, while Cyril faces trouble for his difficult behavior. Meanwhile, Morales…
14
Orpheus Descending
McManus calls a superficial truce between Redding and Morales. Basil finally sees his wife, but Hughes ends up spoiling their happiness. Meanwhile, Cyril's latest outburst…
15
Even the Score
McManus finds he is unable to turn his back on White. Beecher tells the parents of the young girl he killed that he's up for…
16
Famous Last Words
In the Season Four finale, Hill discovers where his true allegiances lie. Redding's plot to use the Colonel against Morales has an unexpected outcome. Cloutier…
SEASON 5
01
Visitation
A ribbon cutting ceremony, complete with the Governor doing the honors, signals the opening of a newly constructed Oz. Warden Glynn doesn't resign but he's…
02
Laws of Gravity
Alvarez and Guerra come up with a new way to settle their beef -- Guerra will stab Alvarez in the shoulder without killing him. Morales…
03
Dream a Little Dream of Me
After recovering from his shank wound, Alvarez gains a follower. Busmalis starts a letter writing campaign to get "Miss Sally's Schoolhouse" back on the air.…
04
Next Stop: Valhalla
Guerra kills Alvarez's new follower and the guilt surrounding it forces Alvarez to make a confession to Mukada. Alvarez, Hill and Penders sign up for…
05
Wheel of Fortune
Said and Arif go to Warden Glynn about Lalar's murder. Angry and full of rage, Said then confronts White about passing drugs. Unsatisfied with White's…
06
Variety
Said returns from the hole ready to apologize to White. The inmate variety show takes shape with Busmalis as MC and White the featured performer.…
07
Good Intentions
Redding discovers that Busmalis lied about DeSantos. Furious, he confronts Morales and the confrontation gets the two of them thrown in the hole. Cyril gets…
08
Impotence
Robson returns from solitary to discover he's been kicked out of the "Brotherhood" and moved to another cell. McManus tells Glynn he'll write a letter…
SEASON 6
01
Dead Man Talking
At the bi-annual review of solitary prisoners, the board decides to release Alvarez and Schillinger back into gen pop. Rebadow, still mourning the loss of…
02
See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Smell No Evil
The unexpected arrival of Mayor Wilson Loewen at Oz spurs an ironic turn involving Schillinger and Beecher. Meanwhile, Dr. Nathan discovers why solitary inmates are…
03
Sonata de Oz
Schillinger has a disappointing visit with his "hero", Mayor Loewen. Glynn has to face up to the truth when Oz loses its first prisoner to…
04
A Failure to Communicate
Glynn receives some good and bad news on the toxic-poisoning case. Meanwhile, Rebadow's relationship with Stella hits a snag; Keller and Beecher work out a…
05
4 Giveness
Everyone has a different opinion of new inmate Idzik; Alvarez receives shocking news; Redding's attempts at reform continue; Murphy makes a confession to Glynn; Morales'(David…
06
A Day in the Death...
Idzik faces his enemies; the intrigues behind the Loewen case get more complicated; changes are made in the hospital; the Muslims run into business trouble;…
07
Junkyard Dawgs
Three new inmates arrive, one of whom is close to the O'Reilys; Busmalis and Rebadow prove to be "true Romeos"; the Keller-Beecher-Schillinger triangle gets more…
08
Exeunt Omnes
Oz is in upheaval following the return of Martin Querns. Meanwhile, Howell and Robson each receive troubling news, Mukada answers an unsolved mystery, and the…
SERIES INFO
6
Seasons
56
Episodes
60 min/ep
Per Episode
Ended
Status
CREW
Creator
Tom Fontana
NETWORKS (1)
HBO
DETAILS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Oz about?
The daily lives of prisoners in Emerald City, an experimental unit of the Oswald Maximum Security Prison where ingroups - Muslims, Latinos, Italians, Aryans - stick close to their mutual friends and terrorize their mutual enemies.
Where can I watch Oz?
Oz is available on Paramount+, Mercado Play, Crave, Max. Availability varies by region.
How many seasons does Oz have?
Oz has 6 seasons with 56 episodes total.
Who created Oz?
Oz was created by Tom Fontana.
Who stars in Oz?
The cast of Oz includes Lee Tergesen, Harold Perrineau, Dean Winters, Eamonn Walker, Ernie Hudson.
What is the rating of Oz?
Oz has a rating of 8.0 out of 10 based on 812 votes on TMDB.
Is Oz still running?
Oz has ended. The final episode aired on .
GENRES (2)
Crime
Drama
