Jason Bateman’sOzarkreunion with his Emmy-winning co-star is finally about to happen with the upcoming release of his highly anticipated Netflix crime thriller series. Bateman, who played one ofthe best TV protagonistsin recent memory in Marty Byrde, also directed nine episodes of the acclaimed crime thriller Ozark, which was created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams. Although Bateman never won an acting Emmy forOzark, like his co-star Julia Garner did for her portrayal of Ruth Langmore, he did win for directing the season 2 premiere episode “Reparations.”
WhileNetflix has tried to find a replacement series forOzark, and may have something building with its latestcrime family drama release,The Waterfront, Bateman has not returned to star in a Netflix drama series since. He did appear in Netflix’s comedy specialWho Killed Santa? A Murderville Murder Mysteryas himself before playing a crucial role in Netflix’s 2024 Taron Egerton thriller filmCarry-On. Bateman will, however, finally jump back into a Netflix crime drama series with theeight-part seriesBlack Rabbit, which is set to be released on June 22, 2025.Black Rabbitalso stars Jude Law and will feature not one, but two,Ozarkalums.
Ozark’s Jason Bateman & Laura Linney Are Reuniting As Directors On Netflix’s Black Rabbit Show
Bateman Directs The First Two Episodes While Linney Directs Episodes 3 & 4
In a similar vein toOzark, Bateman will be both starring in and directing multiple episodes ofBlack Rabbit. While he is the only main cast member inOzarkset to star inBlack Rabbit, there is abehind-the-scenesOzarkreunion with the addition of Laura Linney, not as an actor but as a director.
Linney, who made her directorial debut in a late episode ofOzarkseason 4, directs two episodes ofBlack Rabbit, episodes 3 and 4, with Bateman set to direct the opening two episodes.
Linney, who made her directorial debut in a late episode ofOzarkseason 4, directs two episodes ofBlack Rabbit, episodes 3 and 4, with Bateman set to direct the opening two episodes. This all but ensures thattwo of the biggest names fromOzarkwill be aiming for at least some similar creative aspectsin their direction ofBlack Rabbit.
Although Bateman and Linney are reuniting on their first project together sinceOzarkended in 2022, they won’t be on-screen together, unless there’s some secret surprise cameo in the works. Viewers may want to keep their eyes focused on some of the background actors inBlack Rabbit, since there’s a small chance that Linney could end up on the other side of the camera one way or another.Bateman will play the chaotic gambling addict Vince Friedkin inBlack Rabbit,who is expected to be virtually opposite to Ozark’s buttoned-up and calculated Marty. Jude Law plays Vince’s brother, Jake.
Laura Linney Directed One Of Ozark’s Best Episodes After Being Convinced By Jason Bateman
Ozark Season 4, Episode 11, “Pound of Flesh and Still Kickin'”
Linney, a 4-time Emmy winner, had never professionally directed a film or TV episode beforeOzarkseason 4. She is credited forOzarkseason 4, episode 11, “Pound of Flesh and Still Kickin',” which ended up being one of the show’s best episodes. Bateman recruiting Linney to direct two episodes ofBlack Rabbitis agreat sign of their Ozark history and working relationship.
Linney will be in charge of directing 25% ofBlack Rabbit’sepisodes, compared to just one out ofOzark’s44 episodes. Linney also joins two other experienced film and TV directors on Black Rabbit, making it one of the most anticipated new Netflix releases of 2025.
Jason Bateman & Laura Linney Aren’t The Only Ozark Directors Reuniting On Black Rabbit
Ben Semanoff Directed Episodes Of Ozark Seasons 2 & 3
Ben Semanoff, known for his work onYellowjackets,Tulsa King,Stranger Things, andOzark, will also bedirecting a fourth ofBlack Rabbit’sepisodes alongside Bateman and Linney. This means that three out of the four directors onBlack Rabbithave previously directed multiple episodes ofOzark.
3 out of 4 directors onBlack Rabbithave previously directed episodes ofOzark. The other, Justin Kurzel, just directed Jude Law inThe Order.
The fourth director, Justin Kurzel, is known for films such asThe OrderandMacbeth. This elite slate of directors, combined with series creators Zach Baylin and Kate Susman, who worked on last year’s sleeper heist movieThe Orderstarring Jude Law, inspires massive hype for Netflix’sBlack Rabbit.
