Forget The Wire: HBO’s Ambitious Crime Thriller Still Ranks Among Its Best 29 Years Later
A prison drama breaks ground
Inmates there have somewhat more freedom than people in a typical supermax prison. That setting makes room for stories centered on the characters, alongside graphic violence. The show takes a hard look at the prison-industrial complex.
A cast in difficult roles
J.K. Simmons plays Vernon Schillinger, the Aryan Brotherhood leader who torments and assaults Tobias. Christopher Meloni portrays Chris Keller, Tobias’ sociopathic lover, who is partly responsible for Tobias’ downward spiral.
The series also features Warden Glynn, Kareem Said, Augustus Hill and Tim McManus. Oz gave many actors fan-favorite roles, though some were difficult to watch.
An experiment with lasting impact
Oz tested whether premium television could succeed with a bold, challenging drama. The series proved successful and helped usher in a new era of television. HBO’s many decades of programming have left some shows less remembered than others. Oz stands out as an early network landmark that merits another look.
Key points
- Oz premiered on HBO in 1997, following Tobias inside a prison’s experimental block.
- The fictional facility gives inmates more freedom than a typical supermax prison.
- J.K. Simmons and Christopher Meloni play key characters in Tobias’ story.
- Oz succeeded as an experiment in premium television and helped start a new era.