Netflix’s latest web-television craze, OA, has a lot of things going for it. For one, the series is, in part, created by Zal Batmanglij. For fellow music fans out there, Zal Batmanglij is also the brother of former Vampire Weekend member, Rostam Batmanglij. The two get the chance to collaborate on the show in question’s ventures. While Zal has designed the heart of the drama, Rostam is credited at scoring the soundtrack.
However, musical-influences deepen on this new series, for recent singer/songwriter sensation Sharon Van Etten has been confirmed as a star on OA. The New-Jersey native adds that the decision to break out her acting chops comes from a much-needed break from the music industry. All of this comes in light of her 2015 album Are We There, and a subsequent grueling tour.
According to NPR, “[Van Etten] wanted to spend time on what she called her “real life.” So she decided to go back to college to get a degree in psychology and hoped to one day be a therapist. But as soon as she had started classes, she got a phone call that upended her plans. The casting agent for a mysterious new Netflix show had seen her open for Nick Cave and thought she’d be perfect for a part on the show.”
Rumors have also been confirmed that Van Etten’s debut acting efforts are not the last viewers will see of the starlet. The songstress is also set to appear on the revival of David Lynch’s cult-classic television show, Twin Peaks.