Discover the Remarkable Journeys of the 'Orange Is the New Black' Cast

Netflix's hit series, Orange Is the New Black, propelled Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon, and other Hollywood stars to new levels of fame. The show premiered on the streaming platform in July of 2013 and quickly became a beloved favorite. Based on Piper Kerman's memoir, Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison, the series chronicles the experiences of PR executive, Piper Chapman (played by Schilling), as she navigates life in a minimum-security women's prison in Connecticut. Along the way, she reconnects with her ex-girlfriend, Alex Vause (played by Prepon), whose past involvement in drug trafficking landed Piper in prison.

Over the course of seven seasons spanning from 2013 to 2019, Orange Is the New Black, a creation of Jenji Kohan, cemented its place as one of Netflix's longest-running original series. The show garnered a total of 21 Emmy nominations and four wins, including the coveted award for Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series. The talented ensemble cast, featuring Uzo Aduba, Laverne Cox, and Natasha Lyonne, also secured three SAG Awards as a group from 2015 to 2017. However, the show's impact extended beyond the realm of awards and accolades. By presenting female characters with depth and exploring LGBTQ romances onscreen, Orange Is the New Black left a lasting legacy. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly prior to the airing of the final season, lead actress Taylor Schilling expressed her hope that the show would serve as a reflection of the cultural collective and make people feel seen.

Cox expressed gratitude for the authentic portrayal of a trans woman's life in the show and was particularly pleased with her character's story arc. Sophia Burset's release from prison and pursuit of her dream to become a hairstylist resonated with Cox, who highlighted the importance of such representation for both trans and non-trans individuals. Cox drew parallels between the impact of seeing a Black president on television before it happened in real life and the potential influence of Sophia's story on viewers' imagination and perception of what is possible.

Scroll down to find out what the stars of Orange Is the New Black are doing now:

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'Orange Is the New Black' Cast: Where Are They Now?

Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon, and other Hollywood stars gained even more recognition after starring in the hit Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Premiering in July 2013, the prison drama quickly captured the hearts of audiences. Based on Piper Kerman’s memoir, the show follows PR executive Piper Chapman (played by Schilling) as she navigates her new life in a minimum-security women's prison in Connecticut. Along the way, she reunites with her former lover, Alex Vause (played by Prepon), whose involvement in drug trafficking led to Piper's incarceration.

The Jenji Kohan-produced series, which aired for seven seasons between 2013 and 2019, is among Netflix's longest-running original shows. Orange Is the New Black has been nominated for 21 Emmy Awards and has won four, including Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series. The cast, which includes Uzo Aduba, Laverne Cox, and Natasha Lyonne, has won three SAG Awards as a group from 2015 to 2017.

With its portrayal of female characters with depth and its portrayal of LGBTQ romances, Orange Is the New Black has left a lasting legacy. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly before season 7 premiered in 2019, Schilling expressed her hope that the show would provide a reflection of what has been happening to the cultural collective and that viewers would feel seen.

Cox expressed her appreciation for the genuine portrayal of a trans woman's life in the series. Sophia Burset, her character, ultimately fulfills her ambition of becoming a hairstylist after being released from prison. In an interview with TV Insider in August 2020, Cox reflected on the significance of Sophia's triumph, particularly for Black trans women who have been incarcerated. She emphasized the importance of both trans and non-trans individuals witnessing such representations on screen, citing the impact of media in shaping our perceptions and expanding our imaginations. Cox drew parallels to the historic significance of seeing a Black president on television prior to it happening in real life.

Scroll down to find out what the stars of Orange Is the New Black are doing now:

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Taylor Schilling (Piper Chapman)

Taylor Schilling, a Fordham University alum, received critical acclaim for her role in the Netflix comedy-drama, earning an Emmy nomination and two Golden Globe Award nominations over the show's seven seasons. In addition to her television work, Schilling has also made a name for herself in the film industry, starring in such movies as The Lucky One (2012), The Titan (2018), and The Prodigy (2019). In 2023, she starred in Apple TV+'s Dear Edward. Schilling made headlines in March 2019 when she opened up about her sexuality to The Times, stating that she has had serious relationships with people of different genders and falls in love with the person, not their gender. During Pride Month one year later, she confirmed her relationship with visual artist Emily Ritz.

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Laura Prepon (Alex Vause)

Prepon gained recognition for her role as Donna Pinciotti in Fox's That '70s Show, which aired from 1998 to 2006. She reprised the role in 2023 for Netflix's That '90s Show. In addition to her television work, Prepon has appeared in several films, including Come Early Morning (2006), Lay the Favorite (2012), and The Girl on the Train (2016). She co-wrote a New York Times best-selling wellness advice book, The Stash Plan, in 2016 with nutritionist Elizabeth Troy, detailing her experiences with an organic diet. Prepon and her husband, Ben Foster, welcomed their daughter, Ella, in August 2017, followed by their son three years later.

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Michael Harney (Sam Healy)

Harney, who had previously gained recognition for his roles in Weeds, NYPD Blue and Deadwood, secured a recurring role in the Apple TV+ series For All Mankind after his appearance in the prison drama. The show, which features Joel Kinnaman and Wrenn Schmidt, proved to be another success for the seasoned actor who also starred in Bradley Cooper’s 2018 adaptation of A Star Is Born.

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Jason Biggs (Larry Bloom)

He rose to fame on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns, receiving a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1995. He has since appeared in various films such as Eight Below (2006), Over Her Dead Body (2008), Life Happens (2011), and Amateur Night (2016). He tied the knot with his My Best Friend's Girl co-star Jenny Mollen in April 2008, and together they have two sons, Sid and Lazlo.

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Uzo Aduba (Suzanne 'Crazy Eyes' Warren)

Aduba, a Massachusetts native, is a renowned actress who has won multiple awards for her outstanding performances. She achieved a feat in 2015 by becoming the first actress to win Emmys in both the comedy and drama categories for the same role in the Netflix original series. Aduba later appeared in Hulu's Mrs. America, where she portrayed Shirley Chisholm, a trailblazing politician, alongside talented actresses such as Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne, and Sarah Paulson. In 2020, Aduba tied the knot with Robert Sweeting and announced in June 2023 that they are expecting their first child together.

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Danielle Brooks (Tasha 'Taystee' Jefferson)

Brooks, hailing from Georgia, has made a name for herself not only in television but also on Broadway. Her outstanding performance as Sofia in The Color Purple earned her a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical in 2016, although she lost to Jane Krakowski in She Loves Me. Nevertheless, Brooks and The Color Purple cast were victorious at the 2017 Grammy Awards, winning Best Musical Theater Album. In addition, she has made appearances in episodes of Girls, Master of None, and High Maintenance.

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Natasha Lyonne (Nicky Nichols)

Following the conclusion of Orange Is the New Black in 2019, Natasha Lyonne continued her work with Netflix on the creation, production, writing, direction, and acting of the time-loop comedy-drama Russian Doll. The show received nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, and Lyonne herself was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Lyonne has also directed episodes of Hulu's original series High Fidelity and Shrill. In 2023, she starred in Peacock's Poker Face.

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Laverne Cox (Sophia Burset)

Cox made history by being the first transgender person to receive an Emmy Award nomination in any acting category, thanks to her role in Orange Is the New Black. She continued to break barriers in 2017 by becoming the first transgender actor to play a trans character on network TV in CBS' Doubt. Additionally, she executive produced the 2020 Netflix docuseries Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen, shedding light on the representation of trans individuals in media. Cox is a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ community and has remained in the public eye, starring in the Golden Globe-nominated drama Promising Young Woman alongside Carey Mulligan in 2020.

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Taryn Manning (Tiffany 'Pennsatucky' Doggett)

She landed her breakout role as Nola, a sex worker in Tennessee, in the 2005 film Hustle & Flow, and later had a recurring role on FX's Sons of Anarchy for seven episodes between 2008 and 2010. In 2019, following the conclusion of Orange Is the New Black, the actress made a brief appearance on season 16 of Worst Cooks in America.

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Samira Wiley (Poussey Washington)

Wiley gained recognition not only for her role in the Netflix original series, but also for her performance in Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale, which began in 2017. She was honored with an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series. In March 2017, Wiley exchanged vows with Lauren Morelli, a writer for Orange Is the New Black, whom she got engaged to in October 2016. Her character in the show inspired a real-life fundraising campaign, known as The Poussey Washington Fund, which aims to offer aid to eight nonprofit organizations focused on criminal justice and prison reform.

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Ruby Rose (Stella Carlin)

The Australian actress made her debut on the hit Netflix series in its third season back in 2015, before making her mark in the action film genre with standout performances in Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016), John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), and The Meg (2018). She also made a memorable appearance in the third installment of the Pitch Perfect franchise in 2017. In 2018, Rose was cast as the lead character in the CW's Batwoman series, but left the show just two years later. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly in August 2020, she revealed that the role was "taxing," particularly after suffering an on-set injury.

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Matt McGorry (John Bennett)

Prior to his breakout role on How to Get Away With Murder, Asher Millstone actor Matt McGorry was a Men's Journal fitness writer and personal trainer. Alongside his acting career, McGorry is also a vocal advocate for various social causes, including gender equality. McGorry's multifaceted career has made him a well-known name in Hollywood and beyond.

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Yael Stone (Lorna Morello)

The Australian actress began her acting career in theatre, where she received two Sydney Theatre Awards before making a name for herself on Netflix. Upon moving to New York City in 2011, she co-founded an experimental theatre company and later landed a role on HBO's High Maintenance. Stone was previously married to actor Dan Spielman from 2012 to 2016, but has since moved on with Jack Manning Bancroft. The couple welcomed their daughter, Pemau, in May 2018.

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Selenis Leyva (Gloria Mendoza)

The talented actor hailing from New York City gained valuable experience through numerous off-Broadway productions and memorable guest appearances on hit shows such as The Good Wife, Girls, and Elementary. However, it was her breakthrough role in Spider-Man: Homecoming that truly put her on the map. Recently, she made a triumphant return to television with a leading role in the 2020 Disney+ original series Diary of a Future President, which was produced by the talented Gina Rodriguez.

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Adrienne C. Moore (Cindy 'Black Cindy' Hayes)

After appearing in minor roles on 30 Rock and Blue Bloods, the talented Northwestern University graduate landed a regular role on the popular Netflix prison series, Orange Is the New Black. Her outstanding performance on the show earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2014. In addition to her television work, she also starred in the 2016 biopic, The Lennon Report, which chronicles the events of the night John Lennon was fatally shot in 1980.

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Dascha Polanco (Daya Diaz)

Polanco initially pursued a career in healthcare after graduating from Hunter College, but her true passion for acting never faded. Her hard work and dedication eventually paid off, leading to a series regular role on Orange Is the New Black for its third season. Since then, she has continued to impress audiences with her talent, earning recurring roles in FX’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story and Netflix’s When They See Us.

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Kate Mulgrew (Galina 'Red' Reznikov)

Mulgrew boasts an impressive career spanning decades, having been recognized with Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, and winning a Satellite Award, Saturn Award and an Obie Award for her off-Broadway performances. She previously acted alongside Taylor Schilling in the NBC medical drama, Mercy. Mulgrew has been married twice, with her first marriage to Robert Egan lasting from 1982 to 1995, and her second to Tim Hagan from 1999 to 2014. She shares two children with her first husband.

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Michelle Hurst (Miss Claudette Pelage)

After leaving Orange Is the New Black in 2013, Hurst faced a difficult challenge when she was involved in a serious car accident later that year. She was placed in a medically induced coma for 16 days and underwent spinal surgery. However, she persevered and made a successful return to acting, appearing in notable shows such as Comedy Central's Broad City and BBC One's Last Tango in Halifax.

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Nick Sandow (Joe Caputo)

Sandow's acting prowess extends beyond his portrayal of a corrections officer in Orange Is the New Black. He has graced the screens of Law & Order, Third Watch, NYPD Blue, Boardwalk Empire, and Blue Bloods. In addition to acting, he also wrote and directed The Wannabe in 2015, which was produced by Martin Scorsese.

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Alysia Reiner (Natalie 'Fig' Figueroa)

She boasts an impressive resume, having made appearances in a number of popular TV shows such as How to Get Away with Murder, Better Things, Masters of Sex and Search Party. Notably, she starred in and produced the financial thriller Equity, which premiered at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in 2016.

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Jackie Cruz (Marisol 'Flaca' Gonzales)

Cruz first gained recognition in the entertainment industry after appearing on Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami, where she became friends with Kourtney Kardashian through an art class. The two even shared a kiss on the show, which Kourtney later revealed made her feel embarrassed. After her stint on Orange Is the New Black, Cruz went on to secure a recurring role on NBC's Good Girls.