'Ozark' Season 2 Spoilers: Casting Hints It's Full Steam Ahead for the Byrdes in Money Laundering
Netflix's "Ozark" is raising the stakes for season 2. Recent casting announcements hint of what's to come for Marty Bryde (Jason Bateman) and his family, and it sounds quite intriguing.
In early December, "Ozark" casting directors sought young musicians who can play the cello, violin or flute, and who have ethnic backgrounds, for a scene involving an upscale event. The production also needed several Hispanic extras for a funeral scene.
Speculations are that the event might relate to the riverboat casino that Marty planned to open at the end of season 1. The funeral scene might involve Wendy Byrde (Laura Linney) who became the owner of a funeral parlor last season.
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It looks like the Brydes' operations, originally set up for money laundering drug money, are in full swing in "Ozarks" season 2. Yet who could they be laundering money for this time with Del (Esai Morales) gone?
Bateman made no mention of a new drug lord coming after the Byrdes in his interview with The Hollywood Reporter. They have, however, $50 million dirty money to clean and they will need the help of the local crime family, the Snells.
"There's this business relationship with the Snells to help facilitate that larger washing of money and the possibility of having that go through a casino," Bateman said. "And the relationship domestically between Marty and Wendy is still really fractured," the star and director added. "We'll see if this business partnership they're forced into is going to help that relationship or push it further apart."
Meanwhile, the show's success on Netflix apparently pushed tourism at the actual Lake Ozarks in Missouri. Business owners around the site confirmed that activities picked up even during the slower seasons.
"We've seen increased traffic to our website, domestic and internationally, Lake Ozarks director Tim Jacobsen said. "Our local chambers have seen an increase in their websites as well, which equates to more business here in our local area, for the establishments that are here."
Visitors to the resort town who are fans of the series, however, won't find the Byrd house nor any familiar "Ozark" landmarks. In reality, filming takes place a few states away in Georgia.
"Ozark" season 2's return date hasn't been announced. Meanwhile, season 1 is still streaming on Netflix with 10 episodes.
