‘Cobra Kai’ Was Heavily Inspired By The Gruesome HBO Prison Series ‘Oz’
What’s the connection between Ralph Macchio, karate kicks, Ernie Hudson, and prison riots? You’d be surprised.
One of the creators of Netflix’sCobra Kaitweeted Tuesday that “there is noCobra KaiwithoutOz.” Yes, the gruesome HBO drama about frequently violent prisoners.
Fact: there is no Cobra Kai without Oz. This show has inspired our storytelling as much as any show and continues to– we rewatched the episodes every day after shooting S4.‘Oz’ Retrospective: Creator & Stars Reminisce About HBO Serieshttps://t.co/DnwEelCfURvia@Deadline
— Hayden Schlossberg (@McSchlossberg)August 26, 2025
From “Emerald City” to the Dojo
Ozwas the first hour-length drama show on HBO, a critical darling that pushed the boundaries of television. It was also a brutally violent, often disturbing series. The show focused on “Emerald City,” a wing of Oswald State Correctional Facility.Ozran on HBO for six seasons, ending in 2003.Hayden Schlossberg, who created and co-runsCobra Kaiwith collaboratorsJosh HealdandJon Hurwitz, tweeted about the influence ofOzin his own creation. In addition to appreciating how the show changed TV production (it set the stage for shows likeThe Sopranos), he’s also just a fan. Apparently, he and some of the other cast and crew re-watched episodes of the HBO game-changer after filming episodes ofCobra Kaiseason 4. (That’s a pretty gruesome watch party!)
Much likeOz, Cobra Kaiis a knockout. The fan-favorite series has been a scrappy underdog, facing cancelation at YouTube and then Netflix before securing more seasons. The fourth season is set to debut on Netflix later this year,teasing the return of one of the series' greatest villains. WhileOz’s impact on television is undeniable, it’s still a bit of a leap from the gritty series about violent inmates to aging karate masters Daniel and Johnny trying to squash beefs and sweep legs.
In Good Company
Schlossberg linked toan articlefrom Deadline aboutOz’s enduring legacy. The retrospective dives deep, sharing stories from the creator and stars. Dean Winters, who starred as convicted murderer Ryan O’Reily, suggested thatOzinspired another big name creator to try television.
“I did a show seven years ago calledBattle Creek. I was sitting on the set with Vince Gilligan and he told me he…became a writer because of seeing Tom Fontana’s work inHomicide,“Winters told Deadline, “and madeBreaking Badbecause he thought he could get away with it after watchingOz.”
If Gilligan decided to makeBreaking Badbecause ofOz, then it looks like the guys behindCobra Kaiare in good company.
BraveCobra Kaidie-hards who want to watchOzto look for influences can do so on HBO Max.
