The OA Season 1 Ending Explained & Season 1 Plot, Casting

The OA Season 1 ends with an enigmatic gunshot, leaving Prairie in an unfamiliar place and calling for Homer, as unresolved mysteries propel the story into its anticipated second season.  

by Kavitha | Updated Aug 10, 2023

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The OA Season 1 Ending Explained

In the first season of "The OA," the story revolves around Prairie Johnson, who returns home after years of being missing, and her journey to reconnect with her past and unveil the mysteries surrounding her experiences. Here's a recap of the key events that transpired:

  • Prairie's Return and Identity: Prairie, who now calls herself "OA," reappears with her sight restored. She tells a group of five individuals, Steve, Jesse, Alfonso "French," Buck, and teacher BBA, about her experiences and her need for their assistance.

  • Nina's Past in Russia: OA reveals her original name was Nina, born in Russia to an oligarch. After her mother's death, she developed premonitory nightmares. She, along with other schoolchildren, tragically dies in a bus crash orchestrated by powerful figures.

  • Near-Death Experience (NDE): OA drowns during the bus crash but experiences an NDE, encountering a mystical being named Khatun. Khatun offers her the choice to regain her sight in exchange for something precious, and OA chooses to return blind to the living world.

  • Life in the United States: OA is sent to the US, where she learns about her father's death and is adopted by Abel and Nancy Johnson. Her name is changed to Prairie, and her Russian origins are concealed for her protection.

  • Captured by Hap: At 21, OA travels to New York to find her father but is instead abducted by Hap, a scientist specialising in NDEs. She becomes a captive along with other NDE survivors: Homer, Scott, and Rachel.

  • Experiments and Movements: Hap conducts experiments on the captives to understand NDEs. OA discovers that she and the others are connected to powerful movements that can transcend dimensions. These movements are learned during their NDEs and can potentially open a portal to another dimension.
  • Escape Attempts: The captives attempt to escape multiple times, but Hap continues to control and experiment on them. OA becomes a central figure in the group's plan to find the fifth movement needed for interdimensional travel.

  • OA's Revelation: OA shares her knowledge of the movements and their potential to open a portal. However, Hap learns the movements and threatens to abandon OA.

  • Ambiguous Ending: OA finishes recounting her story to the group, but doubts arise about the veracity of her account. French discovers books in OA's room related to NDEs, causing the group to feel betrayed.

  • School Shooting and Confrontation: A school shooting occurs, and the group performs the movements they learned to avert the tragedy. OA arrives at the scene and is accidentally shot. The season ends with OA awakening in an unfamiliar place and calling out for Homer.

The first season leaves many questions unanswered and sets the stage for the continuation of the story in the second season, where further exploration of the characters' experiences and the mysteries of the movements is expected.

Where to Watch the OA Season 1?

As of the information available, "The OA - Season 1" is currently available for streaming exclusively on Netflix. The show can be accessed by subscribers of Netflix's streaming service. If you are interested in watching the first season of "The OA," you can do so by logging into your Netflix account and searching for the series in the platform's search bar. Once you find the show, you can start watching the episodes from Season 1.

Please note that availability may vary by region and over time, so it's always a good idea to check directly on the Netflix platform to ensure that the show is still accessible and part of their streaming library. If you're a fan of mysterious, thought-provoking narratives with supernatural elements, "The OA - Season 1" offers an intriguing storyline that follows a young woman's return after seven years of absence, her mysterious abilities, and the group of strangers she assembles for a secret mission.

The OA Season 1 Plot

In "The OA - season I," the narrative revolves around Prairie Johnson, a young woman who reemerges in her community after a baffling seven-year disappearance. Her return is shrouded in mystery and intrigue, as she now goes by the moniker "the OA," signifying "original angel." Prairie's enigmatic reappearance brings with it a series of astonishing developments that captivate the people around her.

One of the most perplexing aspects of her return is her transformation – the once-blind Prairie now possesses the gift of sight. Mysterious scars adorning her back hint at an unknown and potentially supernatural journey during her absence. Prairie, however, remains tight-lipped when questioned by both the FBI and her adoptive parents about the circumstances of her vanishing and the inexplicable recovery of her eyesight.

Intriguingly, Prairie's secrecy is offset by her swift action in gathering a diverse group of five locals – four high school students and a compassionate teacher named BBA. To this chosen assembly, Prairie unveils the cryptic details of her life story, delving into the depths of her past and the inexplicable events that led to her current state.

As the intricate narrative unfolds, Prairie shares her captivating tale, spanning from her childhood to the pivotal moments of her disappearance. Her story is interwoven with themes of resilience, mysticism, and the potential for multiple dimensions. Most strikingly, Prairie proposes a daring mission to her newfound allies: to collaborate with her in a quest to rescue other missing individuals who she claims can be saved through the manipulation of a portal into another dimension.

The series intertwines personal struggles, supernatural elements, and the bonds formed between Prairie and her eclectic team.Season I of "The OA" establishes a rich tapestry of mystery and exploration, leaving viewers enthralled by the enigmatic narrative and eager to uncover the truth behind Prairie's extraordinary journey and the secrets that lie within other dimensions.

The OA Season 1 Cast

Main Cast

Actor

Character

Brit Marling

Prairie Johnson / the OA / Nina Azarova / "Brit"

Emory Cohen

Homer Roberts

Scott Wilson

Abel Johnson, Prairie's adoptive father

Phyllis Smith

Betty "BBA" Broderick-Allen

Alice Krige

Nancy Johnson, Prairie's adoptive mother

Patrick Gibson

Steve Winchell / "Patrick Gibson"

Brendan Meyer

Jesse Mills

Brandon Perea

Alfonso "French" Sosa

Ian Alexander

Buck Vu and Michelle Vu (Season 2)

Jason Isaacs

Hunter Aloysius "Hap" Percy / Dr. Percy

Kingsley Ben-Adir

Karim Washington (Season 2)

Will Brill

Scott Brown (Season 2, recurring Season 1)

Sharon Van Etten

Rachel DeGrasso (Season 2, recurring Season 1)

Paz Vega

Renata Duarte (Season 2, recurring Season 1)

Chloe Levine

Angie (Season 2, recurring Season 1)

Where was the OA Season 1 Filmed?

"The OA" is a Netflix original series that emerged with little prior information before its December 2016 premiere. The first season of the show was primarily filmed in New York and its surrounding areas, along with additional locations such as La Havana in Cuba, Russia, and Iceland.

The second season continued to utilise Orange County, NY, while introducing new settings like Portland and the San Francisco metropolitan areas. Studio work for the series was carried out at Los Angeles Center Studios.

Disclaimer: The above information is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the Site.

The OA Season 1 Ending Explained - FAQ

1. What is "The OA" Season 1 about?

"The OA" Season 1 follows Prairie Johnson's return after a mysterious seven-year absence and her quest to reveal the secrets surrounding her experiences.

2. Who is Prairie Johnson, and why is she called "the OA"?

Prairie, also known as "the OA," reappears with restored sight, withholding details of her absence while assembling a group to help her.

3. Where was "The OA" Season 1 primarily filmed?

The first season was filmed in New York, La Havana (Cuba), Russia, and Iceland.

4. Where can I watch "The OA" Season 1?

"The OA" Season 1 is available for streaming exclusively on Netflix.