Ozark: Jason Bateman is an actor and director in the Netflix drama. (Image: Getty) READ MORE Why didn't Jason Bateman want to take on Marty Byrde role? Bateman originally signed up to Ozark as the executive producer with plans to direct all 10 episodes of series one. However, things changed though as Bateman was also enlisted as the leading star of Ozark as well. While directing was the initial "draw" to the show, Bateman only ended up calling the shots from behind the camera for the first and last two episodes in series one. Perhaps if Bateman wasn't invited on as executive producer in the first place, he may not have been involved with Ozark at all as he wishes to take a step back from acting.