Shirley Bellinger (Kathryn Erbe), convicted in the show of murdering her daughter, is based on real-life child murderer, Susan Smith. An early poster for the show used the tagline “It’s no place like home,” while in the film The Wizard of Oz, the phrase “There’s no place like home” is recited by Dorothy as she clicks the heels of her ruby red slippers together on her way home, and is also the last line spoken in the film.ġ0) A character in the show is based on a real-life child murderer. Oz is different in this case as every character in the show is guilty of the crimes he or she was arrested for.ĩ) Another Wizard of Oz reference. In most crime television shows, some characters in prisons are not guilty. It has been said by cast members who played prisoners on the show that if you showed up late to the set, your character would be in danger of being either killed off or raped the next episode.Ĩ) All of the inmates on the show are guilty. Grant was in prison for battery charges.ħ) Showing up late to the set could have dire consequences. Zito spent time in prison for trafficking amphetamines. Chuck Zito (who played mobster Chucky Pancamo) and Craig Grant (who played a Poet) were the only series regulars to have done time in prison. I won’t even tell you where Homicide: Life on the Street was going to go,” Fontana said in an interview with the-toast.Ħ) Two cast members actually spent time in prison. I joked to people later that I was going to get all my shows tattooed on my body. “But I did know, for myself, that this was sort of next-level in my career and my writing, you know what I mean? Because of HBO. In celebration for the next chapter of his career, Tom Fontana got a tattoo of the Oz logo on his arm and had the process filmed for the opening credits.

While many remember shows like The Wire or The Sopranos, it was Oz that debuted as the network’s first exclusive hour-long drama.Ģ) In the intro, series creator Tom Fontana is seen getting tattooed.

In anticipation of their reunion, we present twelve facts that may surprise many watchers of the show.ġ) Oz was HBO’s first hour-long original drama. Tickets to the reunion can be purchased here. On Sunday, October 15, Fontana and the cast of Oz will reunite at the Paley Center for PaleyFest New York.

Show creator Tom Fontana, along with the show’s writers and actors, was able to illustrate the reality of prison life in a starling way that was unprecedented for television. Described by The New York Times as “high-tech horror with glass-walled cells,” Oz gave viewers a brutal portrayal of prison life in America.

Hbo oz series cast