Where Is The Cast Of 'Orange Is The New Black' Now?

While Netflix was still in the early days of blockbuster shows, the streaming service hit the jackpot when it launched the prison-dramedy series, Orange is the New Black, in 2013. The show followed a white collar criminal, Piper Chapman, as she faced consequences for a past mistake, and was based off the memoir of the same name by Piper Kerman. In fact, OITNB was just the second Netflix original series after House of Cards.

The show brought audiences to the fictitious Litchfield Women's Correctional Facility in upstate New York, and also brought a wide cast of characters. OITNB broke boundaries both with awards recognition for a streaming-based show as well as LGBTQ+ representation, social commentary on the prison system, and mental health awareness.

When all was said and done, the show wrapped up in 2019 and launched some into stardom while others have maintained rather quiet careers. So what happened to the cast of Orange is the New Black?

Matt McGorry

Role: Correctional Officer John Bennett

McGorry didn't last the entire series, but his character made a big impact when he impregnated an inmate. Since leaving OITNB, he has appeared on How to Get Away with Murder for several seasons and was a competitive bodybuilder. He also went public in 2023 during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA union strikes with his criticism that Netflix failed to compensate OITNB cast members fairly.

Yael Stone

Character: Lorna Morello

Playing the prison's resident stalker, the Australian-born actress impressed audiences with her ability to connect to the characters and that heavy New York accent. Since OITNB ended, Stone appeared in Spirited, Firebite, and Bay of Fires.

Diane Guerrero

Character: Maritza Ramos

While starring on OITNB, Guerrero also had a recurring role on Jane the Virgin. Since her heartbreaking end on OITNB, she provided voicework for the Disney smash hit, Encanto, as well as Elena of Avalor. She also landed a main role on Doom Patrol and Legends of Tomorrow.

Dascha Polanco

Character: Dayanara "Daya" Diaz

Prior to being cast on the show, Polanco was on her way to becoming a registered nurse. After being signed by a talent agency, her career took off after starring as Daya on OITNB. Since the show's end, she starred in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Russian Doll, When they See Us, In the Heights, Poker Face, Karma's World, and The Walking Dead: Dead City.

Selenis Leyva

Character: Gloria Mendoza

Leyva led the "Spanish Harlem" section of the prison and eventually went on to lead the kitchen. The role of Gloria was both scary and motherly, and audiences connected with her desire to be involved with her family despite being in prison. Since appearing on OITNB, Leyva has appeared on Veep, Girls, Saved by the Bell, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Creed III. She also appeared as a main character on Diary of a Future President and Lopez vs. Lopez.

Taryn Manning

Character: Tiffany "Pennsatucky" Doggett

Living up to her real-life story, Manning played a lower-class inmate struggling with substance abuse, domestic violence, and struggles with self image. After breaking out in the 2002 film Crossroads alongside Britney Spears, as well as roles in 8 Mile and Sons of Anarchy, Manning stumbled into OITNB with a redemption arc. Since the show's end, Manning has continued to struggle with substance abuse as well as being exposed for committing public sexual acts with strangers. Along with drawing scrutiny for being a public supporter of the Donald Trump administration, she also quit the celebrity version of Worst Cooks in America for refusing to eat a chicken foot.

Pablo Schreiber

Character: George "Pornstache" Mendez

Easily one of the most horrible characters in OITNB history, CO Mendez was played by The Wire alum, Pablo Schreiber. Following his short-lived appearance on the series, he went on to appear in Defending Jacob and Candy, and he was the lead role in the Paramount+ video game adaptation of Halo.

Lea DeLaria

Character: Carrie "Big Boo" Black

Starring in a rather stereotypical role, DeLaria made Big Boo her own and resonated with audiences while doing it. Prior to the show, she had a well-known reputation as a standup comedian and Broadway performer. Since the show's end, she did voiceover work in Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts and Marvel's Wastelanders: Hawkeye. She also has appeared in Shameless, The Blacklist, Awkwafina is Nora from Queens, and Girls5eva.

Kate Mulgrew

Character: Galina "Red" Reznikov

Already a star with fans for her portrayal of Captain Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Nemesis, Mulgrew was cast in OITNB as the seasoned Russian inmate and head of the kitchen. Since the show's end, she's managed to continue steady work starring in projects such as Mr. Mercedes, Infinity Train, Star Trek: Prodigy, Flowers in the Attic: The Origin, Dope Thief, and Elio.

Samira Wiley

Character: Poussey Washington

Wiley's character had a heartbreaking but realistic end on OITNB when she fell victim to police brutality. Prior to the end, she was known as one of the few sources of compassion and humanity in the prison. After leaving the show, Wiley went on to star in The Handmaid's Tale, earning her an Emmy. She also narrated the Netflix documentary series, Night on Earth, along with small roles in Will & Grace, Equal, and Atomic.

Laverne Cox

Character: Sophia Burset

Cox's role as Sophia was definitely a trailblazing role, and even led to her becoming the first transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy in an acting category. She was also the first transgender person to be featured on the cover of Time Magazine in 2014. Since the end of OITNB, Cox has continued to use her platform and voice to be an avid supporter and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community with projects like Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen and her documentary, Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word. The latter won her a Daytime Emmy. She also appeared in Taylor Swift's music video for "You Need to Calm Down," as well as starring in the sitcom Clean Slate.

Natasha Lyonne

Character: Nicky Nichols

Often referred to as the comedic heartbeat of OITNB, Lyonne's career was definitely revived with the Netflix series. Since the show's end she has starred in films like Poker Face, Russian Doll, His Three Daughters, and Crush and is set to appear in the upcoming Marvel film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. She also co-founded the production company Animal Pictures alongside Maya Rudolph, along with co-founding an AI-driven film studio called Asteria alongside her boyfriend, Bryn Mooser.

Uzo Abuda

Character: Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren

Abuda played one of the more memorable characters on the show and was recognized for it with two Emmys and two Screen Actors Guild awards. OITNB was no doubt her breakout role and has since starred in Mrs. America, Steven Universe, Lightyear, Miss Virginia, Painkiller, and The Residence. She has also kept busy on stage starring in Clyde's on Broadway in 2021.

Jason Biggs

Character: Larry Bloom

Probably the most well-known male character, Biggs rose to fame after his defining role as Jim Levenstein in American Pie - oddly enough, a role that was alongside Natasha Lyonne. Biggs was cast as Piper's lovable, but dependent fiancé who had to try and navigate a relationship despite prison being in the way. Since his OITNB exit, Biggs has starred in the sitcom Outmatched along with a short-lived game show called Jason Biggs' Cash at Your Door. He also appeared in Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, Best. Christmas. Ever., The Masked Singer, and Law & Order: SVU.

Laura Prepon

Character: Alex Vause

Prepon was already sort of a household name by the time OITNB happened thanks to her role as Donna on That '70s Show, but the hit Netflix series definitely kept her momentum going. Since the show's end, she reprised her role as Donna in That '90s Show and released a memoir and a cookbook, but she's mostly shifted her focus to raising her two children. She has also endured a public legal battle with her estranged husband, Ben Foster, over her accusations of inappropriate marital conduct, substance abuse, and cruel inhumane treatment.

Danielle Brooks

Character: Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson

Brooks started her tenure on OITNB as a supporting character, but later turned into a main character - including being the center of the show's climax ending. Since the show's end, she has starred in Peacemaker, Eat Wheaties, Karma's World, The Color Purple, A Minecraft Movie, and Oh. What. Fun. She was even nominated for an Academy Award for her role in The Color Purple in 2023. Brooks also returned to the stage in 2022 starring in The Piano Lesson on Broadway.

Taylor Schilling

Character: Piper Chapman

Hands down the star of the show, Schilling managed to earn an Emmy and two Golden Globe nominations for the role of Piper Chapman. While lots of people thought the show would launch her into super stardom, she has maintained a fairly lowkey career since the show's end. She took roles in films like The Lucky One, The Prodigy, and The Titan, as well as starring in Apple TV's Dear Edward.