*Major spoilers for all seasons of Ozark ahead.*
Ozark fans, rest assured that your fourth serving of the hit crime drama is firmly on its way, as Jason Bateman has confirmed season 4 will begin filming in just a few short months.
Season 3 of Ozark dropped in March this year, and in June, fans of the Netflix show got the bittersweet news that the critically-acclaimed drama would be returning for its fourth and final season, which will be split over two parts with seven episodes in each.
Advert
Now, the show's star Jason Bateman - who plays family man-come-cartel money launderer Marty Byrde - has confirmed cameras begin rolling for the bumper season in November.
Confirming the news to IndieWire, the actor, 51, said: "We're going to start [filming] November 9th.
"Everything is moving well toward that, and we're very confident in the guidelines and protocols we're going to be following. We've got tons of consultants, [and] we're learning a lot from other productions."
Advert
Speaking about his trepidations at filming in Atlanta, Georgia, amid the coronavirus pandemic, where there is still a high number of new cases, he said: "I'll bet you we get a positive [test result] every week down there, so it's going to be challenging."
He added: "You're effectively starting up a school, and look at the infections that are starting up at schools down there - they just had to shut a bunch down.
"[Sometimes] we've got 60 or 70 people on stage, [and] sometimes [we're] in a very small location. You've got ad hoc air conditioning tubes and vents going in there, pushing air.
"Every one of those crew members is going home every night to families that are not having to follow a strict quarantine. [...] So chances are high that we're going to have some virus come through our set - often."
Advert
In June, Netflix UK confirmed Ozark would be returning for its fourth and final season via Twitter. It explained that the final season would be split into two parts, with seven episodes each - more than the normal 10-part seasons fans are used to.
Chris Mundy will return as showrunner, writer and executive producer, while Jason Bateman will be returning with cast members Laura Linney, Julia Garner, Sofia Hublitz, Skylar Gaertner, Charlie Tahan and Lisa Emery.
In a statement, Mundy said: "We're so happy Netflix recognized the importance of giving Ozark more time to end the Byrdes' saga right.
Advert
"It's been such a great adventure for all of us - both on screen and off - so we're thrilled to get the chance to bring it home in the most fulfilling way possible."
To recap, the drama follows Marty (Bateman), a Chicago-based financial planner and seemingly average family man, who becomes embroiled in laundering money for the Mexican drug cartel.
Advert
When his partner betrays the cartel and is killed, Marty promises the drug lords to repay the money his partner stole and wash $500 million in five years if him and his family can walk away with their lives.
With his wife Wendy (Laura Linney) and two kids, Charlotte (Sofia Hublitz) and Jonah (Skylar Gaertner), Marty relocates to the Ozarks where he promises gang leaders will be fruitful for laundering.
While there, The Byrde's pose as community pillars and entrepreneurs who use a diner, strip club and even a church to launder the dirty cash, all while the FBI hover close. Along the way, Marty meets a number of characters including Ruth Langmore (Julia Garner), a gumptious 19-year-old who he hires as help.
The first season of the Breaking Bad-esque drama aired in July 2017, with the second following in October 2018 and season 3 most recently in March 2020.
Season 3 saw Marty and Wendy Byrde continue to prove their loyalty to the Navarro cartel and escape with their family's lives, with their desperation taking them to dangerous new levels.
Wendy Byrde continued her transformation from unwilling bystander to architect of the Byrde family operation, speaking directly with cartel boss Omar Navarro to attempt to prove their loyalty to him.
However, there was a disruptive complication thrown in by the unexpected arrival of her brother Ben, who suffers from bipolar, who starts up a relationship with Ruth.
The third instalment also saw cartel attorney Helen Pierce move to the Ozarks with her daughter Erin, who formed a bond with the Byrde children, meanwhile attempting to take over Byrde Enterprises.
The season ended with the Byrde's surviving to live another day, with instead, Helen executed in front of their eyes as a stark warning of what could happen.
We can't wait to see the Byrde family's story wrap up. Will they get out with their lives? Will they ever escape the cartel and the Ozarks?
With season 4 filming underway soon, we don't have long to wait to find out...
Featured Image Credit: NetflixTopics: TV News, TV Entertainment, Netflix
