Let’s check in on what our faves have been up to since leaving Litchfield
BY JASMINE SMITH, IMAGE BY NETFLIX
It’s almost been five years since the cell doors were locked and we said goodbye to the cast of Orange Is The New Black (OITNB). The multi-award-winning Netflix series, beginning in 2013, looked beyond its origin story (Piper Kerman’s 2010 memoir) and gave us both heartwarming and devastating stories of diverse women and their experiences in the criminal justice system. The huge legacy of LGBTQIA romances onscreen and explicit social commentary cemented OITNB as groundbreaking television.
The cast throughout all seven seasons were iconic, and while some have seemingly blossomed in the spotlight, others have begun to step behind the camera or explore other ventures.
Taylor Schilling (Piper Chapman)
Taylor played Piper, the privileged know-it-all whose life turns upside down when past crimes catch up to her. We enjoyed watching Piper and Alex’s chaotic relationship throughout as they loved to hate each other – and who could forget THAT relationship with Stella (played by Ruby Rose).
After the show, Taylor has starred in multiple TV series including Monsterland, Pam and Tommy and animated series Pantheon.
She has since returned to the stage in 2024 in Kate Douglas’ The Apiary. We hope to see her on our screens again soon!
Laura Prepon (Alex Vause)
Let’s be honest, most of us fancied Alex Vause. Laura played the mysterious, brooding, sharp-witted Alex, and managed to get us to fall in love with the character’s vulnerable side. Her complex relationship with Piper portrayed a true representation of both the beauty and messiness of queer love.
Laura has mostly turned away from acting these days, aside from guest-starring as Donna Pinciotti in spinoff That 90’s Show. Elsewhere, she can be found promoting her cookware line PrepOn Kitchen or writing books about motherhood.
Danielle Brooks (Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson)
When Danielle Brooks burst onto our screens, we knew she was a star. Endlessly funny and resilient in the face of adversity, Taystee became a fan favourite, and her friendship with Poussey was one of the best parts of the show (let’s not talk about season four).
Danielle’s career has since blossomed, with roles in Peacemaker, animated series Karma’s World and Mahalia. Most recently, Danielle reprised her role as Sofia (who she previously played on Broadway) in The Color Purple (2023), earning a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
She can next be seen in Peacemaker spinoff show Waller, and the upcoming Minecraft alongside Jack Black and Jennifer Coolidge.
Natasha Lyonne (Nicky Nichols)
Fans often call Nicky the heart of the show. Natasha’s portrayal of the fiercely loyal joker was momentous in its depiction of addiction and substance abuse. Nicky’s entanglements with Lorna and mother-daughter dynamic with Red showed the true impact of personal connections.
Natasha has been busy both in front of and behind the camera. She’s starred in Ad Astra, Uncut Gems and United States vs. Billie Holiday. Her production company Animal Pictures produced Crush (2022), as well as shows Lyonne stars in, Russian Doll, and new crime-comedy Poker Face.
Upcoming projects include Poker Face season two and the film adaptation of novel Klara And The Sun.
Uzo Aduba (Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren)
One of our favourite stories from the set of OITNB is how “Crazy Eyes” wasn’t intended to be a series regular. Uzo’s talent kept Suzanne around for all seven seasons, highlighting mental health issues within the prison system and how friendship and acceptance can contribute to character growth.
Uzo can be seen most recently in limited series Painkiller and heard as Alisha Hawthorne in Disney’s Lightyear. She will next grace our screens in comedy-mystery Greedy People and we can’t wait!
Samira Wiley (Poussey Washington)
Arguably among the most beloved, Poussey captured our hearts and our screens with her loveable nature and friendship with Taystee. Her loss sparks a pivotal moment in the series, bringing to light systemic issues in the criminal justice system.
Samira has since been involved with projects Blade Runner: Black Lotus and black comedy Breaking News in Yuba County. Her recurring role as Moira Strand in dystopia The Handmaid’s Tale won her an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress.
She will next appear in TV series Standing By.
Dascha Polanco (Dayanara Diaz)
Daya’s story kept seeming to go downhill. She began the series pregnant with corrections officer John Bennett’s baby and ended the series as a drug lord in Max battling her own addiction. Pretty harrowing stuff.
Since the show, Dascha has starred in the musical In The Heights as Cuca and voiced Green Lantern in DC League of Super-Pets. She also reunited with co-star Natasha Lyonne on Russian Doll and Poker Face.
You can catch more of Dascha this year in thriller Junction alongside Sophia Bush and action thriller Air Force One Down.
Laverne Cox (Sophia Burset)
Sophia remains a groundbreaking character in transgender representation. We watched as she faced challenges in familial relationships and navigated the complexities of being a trans inmate such as obtaining necessary medication. Laverne’s stellar performance resulted in her becoming the first transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy in an acting category.
Laverne has continued to trailblaze and executive produced Netflix’s Disclosure: Trans Lives On Screen in 2020. Her acting roles include Promising Young Woman and drama Inventing Anna. She has her own podcast The Laverne Cox Show and will appear in upcoming science-fiction Uglies.
Kate Mulgrew (Galina “Red” Reznikov)
Red’s culinary skills confirmed her status as Queen of the Kitchen. Her maternal instinct resulted in complex clashes and relationships with inmates such as Gloria. Kate’s portrayal of Red’s demise through dementia resonated with viewers whilst maintaining that strong-willed, cunning nature that we couldn’t help but love.
Kate’s most recent projects include animated series Star Trek: Prodigy and The Magnificent Meyersons. She will next star in short film Columbarium and drama Sinking Spring.
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