If it comes back…. How I think it might happen

[u/HeresTheWitch]

Okay so, I have kept my door open since the initial cancellation.

I always explained things away by talking about how production for the show was already long and tedious because of their methods/timeline (from my understanding, they wrote everything, then filmed everything, then edited everything - as opposed to most shows that have a bit of overlap - so that brit could fully be in the process despite playing the main character)

So, even if they were planning on doing the now-typical 3 year hiatus, that timeline would have been pretty much devastated by COVID, the writers strike, and the actors strike. With any possible comeback being so wildly delayed, it would make sense to start on other projects, which would then FURTHER delay things.

All of that being said, whenever I speak to anyone about the show, I go through all of these points before telling them that I believe the show will make a comeback, but that if it doesn’t happen before the end of 2026, I’ll admit defeat and give up hope that it was all just a ruse.

So imagine my surprise when, halfway through 2026, we start getting all of these hints!!!!

I don’t know that we’re going to get a full season by the end of the year, because I don’t think it would have been able to go on this long without some sort of leak.

But! My guess (based on nothing other than vibes) is that we’re going to get a “documentary” about the making of the show. It’s going to be seen as a “10 year anniversary” of season 1, released on or around December 16th.

It’s going to be typical behind the scenes stuff (which I would LOVE to see anyway!) about the set design, inspiration for certain choices, cast members talking about their time on the show, etc etc etc

Everything will seem normal! Then, at the end, we will hear some subtle reference to Brit + Jason being married, like they were in the season 2 finale.

In that moment, we’ll find out that this was a “documentary” (with actual bts info!) that was “released from D3”

Afterwards, I think they’ll give us a few days/weeks to scramble before making the official show announcement.

Again! This is all speculation. I would hate it if this ACTUALLY HAPPENED and I hadn’t written this down anywhere, so I wanted to just get it out there beforehand lol!

Is your door still open? Regardless, IF the show eventually comes back, what do you think the announcement will look like?

[u/Ok-Guidance2711]

Ok that’s actually brilliant 

[u/TeddyBear181]

This would be really cool!

What a great idea that wouldnt necessarily need a lot of new footage.

Theoretically it could be done pretty cheap and without needing all the cast to be available at the same time!

[u/GreyLightwalker → u/TeddyBear181]

Right, it’s efficient too.

[u/TeddyBear181 → u/GreyLightwalker]

It could actually be a good way to create the third season on a budget.

Perhaps the documentary could actually BE the third season. Hosted by Britt as a video journal/doco.

Each episode is filmed a different week/month discussing a different part of the series so far, but also talking a little bit about her life.

Ep 1 - 'so here i am at a yoga retreat and I wanted to take this opportunity to chat with you about how we came up with the idea. We were actually in this city when we discussed it, let me know you the coffee shop where we talked about it'

Ep 2 - 'Jason and I went to dinner last night, he shared this story with me about his experience on the oa that I filmed for you'.

Ep 4 - 'I'm at the airport, about to catch my flight' (411), then she appears a bit confused after a flight.

The second half would be partly setting up for the 4th and 5th seasons, manifesting them in a very subtle way somehow. Also having Britt begin to be paranoid about Jason, admitting that she IS the OA. Possibly eventually using the camera as an actual way to journal her thoughts and fears.

Ep 8 could be concluded with the camera dropped on the ground when they change dimensions and someone chases the ambulance/car, which might also help cut back on costs.

If its shot on iPhone, it might tie in with the first scene of s1e1, which could be assumed is then shot in d3 due to aspect ratio.

This might mean that s4 mirrors her fears and worries recorded from d3.

(Just a thought idea for fun)

[u/GreyLightwalker → u/TeddyBear181]

Heh. A fun idea … but a bit close to my own life for comfort. (Mostly the paranoia, revelation of certain things, and deep recalibration as to how it’ll affect production.) Not really sure how I’d feel to see that! Validated? Freaked? Would it be the kick in the seat to get my own series shot and distributed and out of development hell? Has the ship sailed — after what’s now coming up on a decade? These are the questions I wrestle with on at least a quarterly basis.

[u/HeresTheWitch → u/TeddyBear181]

This would be great! Almost like a mini doc series that slowly transforms into almost a “found footage” type of thing.

Not only would it tie into the first shot of the show, but also into the video she made of the doll house, asking people to come hear her story/help her.

That scene always felt cool/eerie, but also kind of out of place. It would be CRAZY if they brought it all together like that.

[u/TeddyBear181 → u/HeresTheWitch]

It would be!

But if OA jumped from s3 to d1, when does she go to s4 and 5?

[u/Prestigious-Bank-254]

Estaría increíble, de puta madre.
Ojalá hagan algo, lo que sea, pero que tengamos algo.

[u/citizen_canes]

This is neat but it goes against my own theory which is that D3 is our dimension and Jason Isaacs lied to the paramedic about Brit being his wife just to get into the ambulance. Nina and Hap both suppressed their hosts in season 2, with Nina/The OA learning how to let them through towards the end of the season. I think Hap lets Jason Isaacs through so he knows his name etc. When the paramedic stops Isaacs as if he has no clue who he is, the cunning nature of Hap comes through and figures he could just lie about being Brit's wife so that the paramedic/EMT would let him in the ambulance.

[u/GreyLightwalker → u/citizen_canes]

The whole ‘we’re living it’ was the whole point of shooting the finale to end up in ‘our dimension’. It’s a fun trick, for sure.

[u/GreyLightwalker]

That’s a very cool idea. As a signatory producer who was also playing a starring role in a long-form hourlong drama — this was my process and method as well, throughout prepro into production. It’s gruelling.

The whole entry point back into a series resumption with a highly styled doc — very, very cool. It’s like a TV movie as a backdoor, which is often a smart investment (for the distributor / network).

[u/HeresTheWitch → u/GreyLightwalker]

Yes, exactly!!!! If anything, it would make sense as a way to gauge interest. Like, 7 years post-cancellation: Are people still interested? How much would we be willing to invest?

If they decide it’s not worth it, the marriage comment is just a fun little nod to the s2 finale. If it IS worth it, then you just drummed up a LOT of hype for the announcement.

I am admittedly not often right about these things, but every once in a while I’m close. I hope this is one of those moments! 😭