Where are the cast of Orange is the New Black now? As Uzo Aduba wows in The Residence, how her co-stars failed to break-out from massive smash hit

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With orange jumpsuits, racy romances and outrageous uprisings, Orange is the New Black captivated audiences when it arrived on Netflix nearly a decade ago.

The American drama, which was based on Piper Kerman's 2010 memoir, Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison, first landed in July 2013 and immediately became a hit.

Created by Jenji Kohan, the series lasted seven seasons and as of 2016, was the most watched as well as the longest running original series. Its seventh and final one aired in 2019. 

Among its cast weren't just members of the Hollywood elite, but people spanning various backgrounds, with several leading stars going on to earn award nominations for breakout roles.

It followed PR executive Piper, played by Taylor Schilling, as she adjusts to life in a minimum-security women's prison in Connecticut. 

If going to jail wasn't hard enough, Piper is then confronted with a former flame, Alex, played by Laura Prepon, whose drug trafficking past was the reason she ended up incarcerated in the first place. 

But despite amassing millions of fans across the world, much of the OITNB alumni have since stepped out the spotlight.

A few have gone on to land career defining roles in other high-end productions (including Uzo Aduba, who has recently been cast in Shonda Rhimes's latest masterpiece, The Residence) while others have hung up their acting shoes and gone on to pursue careers in writing, or taken time out to focus on their families.

The American drama series, which was based on Piper Kerman's 2010 memoir, Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison, first landed in July 2013 and immediately became a hit (Taylor Shilling pictured playing Piper)

Taylor Shilling earned herself an Emmy and two Golden Globe nominations for her performance in the hit show

Others found themselves embroiled in controversy, sparking concerns with supporters of the show. 

Fans have since begged creators for a return of the hit, though creators have kept their lips sealed over whether an eighth season is on the cards.

Here, FEMAIL takes a look at the varied paths trodden by the actors who made Orange is the New Black one of the most prolific series of its time...

Taylor Schilling

The star of the show, Taylor Schilling, earned herself an Emmy and two Golden Globe nominations for her performance in OITNB.

As the lead of one of the biggest series in the world, many thought she'd go on to be a household name - but the actress has kept a low profile since the finale.

Taylor played the main protagonist, Piper, whose life is turned on its axis when her past crimes finally catch up with her. 

And her acting journey didn't end there, with Taylor going on to take on lead roles in multiple movies, including The Lucky One, The Titan and The Prodigy (pictured for the AppleTV+ series Dear Edward in 2023)

After the show, Taylor went on to take on lead roles in multiple movies, including The Lucky One, The Titan and The Prodigy - but none were box office smash hits.

Elsewhere, she also took a starring role in Apple TV+'s Dear Edward in 2023.

It was around the time the show reached its finale that the now 40-year-old actress opened up about her sexuality.

She told The Times in March 2019 that she had 'had serious relationships with a lot of different people' and falls in love with 'the person, not their gender'.

A year later, she confirmed her relationship with the visual artist Emily Ritz during Pride month.

Then in 2023, she confirmed in a podcast, Expander, with Jess Rona, that she and Ritz had broken up two years prior.

One of her latest performances included the actress taking to the stage to perform in Kate Douglas' The Apiary.

Uzo Abuda

Uzo Abuda has played arguably one of the show's most memorable characters (pictured in OITNB)

In 2015, she became the first actress to win Emmys in both the comedy and drama categories for the same role for her performance in OITNB

Uzo Abuda played arguably one of the show's most memorable characters.

The Massachusetts native brought home two Emmys and two SAG awards for unmatched performance as Suzanne 'Crazy Eyes' Warren, plaudits that went on to earn her a string of enviable roles.

Orange is the New Black was the 44-year-olds's breakthrough part and in 2020 she went performed alongside Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne and Sarah Paulson in Hulu's Mrs. America.

Before the show, she had worked in theatre and and ironically won the part less than an hour after calling it quits on her acting career. 

The role not only highlighted her incredible talent but brought to light the prevalence of mental health issues in the prison system. 

In 2015, she became the first actress to win Emmys in both the comedy and drama categories for the same role.

She has since appearance in the limited series, Painkiller and in Disney's Lightyear.

More recently, Uzo has taken a lead role as detective Cordelia Cupp in the new Netflix comic crime caper, The Residence.

More recently, Uzo has taken a lead role as detective Cordelia Cupp in the new Netflix comic crime caper, The Residence (pictured) 

She is currently married to filmmaker Robert Sweeting, with the pair having welcomed their daughter, Adaiba Lee Nonyem, in 2023.

Posting on Instagram on Father's Day, she wrote: 'My daughter. I've never been in love so quickly, so deeply in my entire life.' 

Uzo recently told The Telegraph that she had to endure her fair share of 'heartbreak and rejection' before finding love and having children in her forties. 

In 2024, she published her memior, The Road is Good: How a Mother's Strength became a Daughter's Purpose. 

Laura Prepon

Laura Prepon played Piper's brooding and sultry other half in the show, with the pair see-sawing between love and hate over the seven seasons.

Prior to taking on the role, the actress was known for playing Donna Pinciotti in Fox's That 70s Show from 1998 to 2006, later reprising the part in Netflix's reboot of That '90s Show.

More recently, the 45-year-old slipped gracefully out of the main spotlight when the show ended, instead choosing to focus on raising her two children, one who is called Ella, and the other whose name has not been revealed. 

Laura Prepon played Piper's brooding and sultry other half in the show, with the pair see-sawing between love and hate over the seven seasons (pictured)

More recently, the 45-year-old slipped gracefully out of the main spotlight when the show ended, instead choosing to focus on raising her two children, one who is called Ella, and the other whose name has not been revealed

Laura's personal life has been anything but smooth sailing over the last six months, with the actress becoming embroiled in a vicious legal battle with her estranged husband Ben Foster.

Last week, Foster accused Laura of 'inappropriate martial conduct', with recently revealed documents claiming the actress fired back the the same claim with several additional allegations.

The actress also accused Foster of 'habitual drunkenness', claiming he had 'been guilty of such cruel and inhuman treatment'.

When she first filed for divorce on 18 March, citing 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for the split, before adding 'inappropriate marital conduct'. 

Elsewhere in the document, she claimed that Foster was unfit to care for their two children and requested she be given the role as designated parent.

Prior to this, the pair had kept details about her relationship and family life extremely private.

But in 2019, she offered a glimpse into her home life during a segment of The MOMS in 2019.

'Ben and I are really great about if I'm at work, he's [at home], and if he's at work, I'm [at home],' the actress said at the time. 

The mother also has a cookware line PrepOn Kitchen and has previously written books about motherhood

Laura pictured attending the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards in 2023, sporting a stunning olive dress

'[But] I do feel guilty, and I just know that [Ella would] be proud if she knew. I've talked to a bunch of women [asking], 'How do you do this?' And they're just like, 'There's really no solution. You just do it.' 

The mother also has a cookware line Prepon Kitchen and has previously written books about motherhood.

Her memoir You and I, as Mothers: A Raw and Honest Guide to Motherhood, came out in 2020.

Natasha Lyonne

Fans called Natasha the beating heart of the show for her hilarious portrayal of Nicky Nichols, an outspoken but fiercely loyal fellow inmate, whose character suffered her own battles with substance abuse.

Since the series ended, Natasha has kept busy having starred in several film and TV productions, with her production company, Animal Pictures having produced the films, Poker Face, Russian Doll and Crush.

She is also set to feature in the upcoming Marvel film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Last year in May, it was announced that Natasha had joined the cast which also includes Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn.

In 2024, she also appeared in the Netflix original film, His Three Daughters. 

Fans called Natasha the beating heart of the show for her hilarious portrayal of Nicky Nichols, an outspoken but fiercely loyal fellow inmate, who's character suffered her own battles with substance abuse

Since the series ended, Natasha has kept busy having starred in several film and TV productions, with her production company, Animal Pictures having produced the films, Poker Face, Russian Doll and Crush (pictured in the second season of Russian Doll)

Natasha, 45, is currently dating the filmmaker Bryn Mooser, with the two having kept their relationship largely shielded from the public eye. They were first romantically linked in 2023.

Just last month, she and her boyfriend put on a loved-up display at the 2025 Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica.

The two stars stood closely to each other during the brief photo session and at one point, Natasha held a smile one her face as she affectionately placed her hand on his shoulder. 

Natasha and Bryn were also spotted outside the venue and the pair strolled arm-in-arm as they headed towards the main event. 

Taryn Manning 

Taryn starred as Tiffany 'Pennsatucky' Doggett in the hit Netflix series.

But her journey to stardom wasn't one paved by a glowing education in acting, financial leg-ups or industry connections. 

The 46-year-old grew up living in a trailer park with her brother and mother and made her acting debut as the tough, rebellious Tina in Britney Spears' 2002 film Crossroads.

Taryn starred as Tiffany 'Pennsatucky' Doggett in the hit Netflix series (pictured). But her journey to stardom wasn't one paved by a glowing education in acting, financial leg-ups or industry connections

The 46-year-old grew up living in a trailer park with her brother and mother and made her acting debut as the tough, rebellious Tina in Britney Spears' 2002 film Crossroads (pictured in January 2025)

She recently sparked concerns after she was pictured in Palm Springs looking extremely unwell (pictured in January 2025)

Her other notable performances include the popular series Sons of Anarchy, the film Hustle & Flow, and the Eminem movie 8 Mile.

She has also pursued ventures in the music industry,  releasing two albums with her band, Boomkat, and collaborating with artists like Kanye West.

She recently sparked concerns after she was pictured in Palm Springs looking extremely unwell.

The actress looked markedly different from her previous public outings, looking unrecognizable as she posed at night while sitting on the trunk of a car with a Trump/Vance sticker. 

The former leading lady is supposed to be making a triumphant return to Hollywood after landing a role in the indie drama Out Come The Wolves, where she is starring alongside Breaking Bad's Giancarlo Esposito. 

She was previously taken to psychiatric hospital Silver Hill in nearby Connecticut in 2016, after suffering a breakdown on the Orange Is the New Black set, as per The Hollywood Reporter.  

But she checked out after two days, but later worked with a sober companion for a month. At the time she stated she 'doesn't have a problem, nor does she partake in drugs of any kind.' 

In 2023, she sparked concern after the slurring star posted a three minute video detailing graphic sexual acts she had performed on an unnamed married lover.

She detailed how she performed alleged sexual acts on the man, wanted to buy him a boat, and claimed his wife threatened her with a restraining order. 

In a second shock video the star claimed the married man performed a sex act on her during the drive to Newport Beach.

Taryn was previously arrested in November 2014 in New York City on charges of criminal contempt for allegedly violating a restraining order and making criminal threats against her former roommate. However the charges were later dropped.

She was previously engaged to Anne Cline but the pair ended their engagement in 2021.

Taryn and Anne had tried to workout their differences, but ultimately decided they weren't compatible.

The two had only been together for about three months at the time they got engaged, as they were first linked back in March of 2021.

Laverne Cox 

Laverne Cox's incredible performance as Sophia Burset in the show led to her becoming the first transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy in an acting category (pictured)

Laverne recently starred in the multicamera sitcom, Clean Slate, where she plays Desiree Slate, a glamorous art gallerist who finds herself single, broke and forced to leave New York to return to her childhood home in Alabama (pictured in the role)

Laverne Cox's incredible performance as Sophia Burset in the show led to her becoming the first transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy in an acting category.

Elsewhere, she became the first transgender person to feature of the cover of Time Magazine in 2014 and later in February 2028 on the South African edition of Cosmopolitan.

Since the show ended, she has taken on a number of acclaimed roles, including appearing in Promising Young Woman in 2020, the Netflix series, Inventing Anna and Blacklist.

She has also been involved in producing her own documentary, Laverne Cos Presents: The T Word, which won her a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Special Class Special.

She also produced Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen.

The 52-year-old continues to act as a trailblazer in her community and is an advocate for the trans rights movement.

In 2019, she was featured in the Taylor Swift music video, You Need to Calm Down, and was one of just 15 women selected by Meghan Markle to appear on the September 2019 edition of British Vogue.

Laverne recently starred in the multicamera sitcom, Clean Slate, where she plays Desiree Slate, a glamorous art gallerist who finds herself single, broke and forced to leave New York to return to her childhood home in Alabama.

Laverne Cox pictured attending the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in March 2025. Not much is known about her dating life in recent years, as Laverne has kept things away from the spotlight - but according to Yahoo , she in May ended a long-term relationship with an un-named boyfriend

The eight-part series premiered on Prime Video in February 2025. 

Not much is known about her dating life in recent years, as Laverne has kept things away from the spotlight - but according to Yahoo, she in May ended a long-term relationship with an un-named boyfriend.

Speaking about her mystery man in past, Laverne had revealed that he was 22 years younger than her, and that they began seeing each other in 2020. 

More recently, Laverne found herself in controversy after she starred in Vogue magazine's Hairspray tribute video with Gigi Hadid - which sparked fierce backlash over its lack of plus-sized models.

The fashion bible revealed its colorful homage to the beloved John Waters musical with Hadid portraying lead character Tracy Turnblad.

Stylish scenes played out in the three minute video saw Hadid, as well as actors Laverne Cox and Cole Escola and a number of dancers performing covers of the show's hit tracks.

As the vibrant video began to gain traction online, it quickly became clear that fans weren't as taken with the tribute as might have been originally hoped for.

Many were quick to point out that Hadid was not a fitting choice to play Tracy, a plus-size teenager who initially isn't allowed on her local dance television show because of her larger body.

Some pointed out that the supermodel was dressed much more like the film's antagonist Amber von Tussle, a thin, shallow and snobby character who constantly mocks Tracy.

Danielle Brooks 

Danielle (left) began her journey on OITNB as an important supporting role and gradually became one of the show's lead characters

Since playing Tasha 'Taystee' Jefferson, the actress has gone on to dip her toe into voice acting, as well as taking on a role in the action TV series, Peacemaker, in 2022

Danielle began her journey on OITNB as an important supporting role and gradually became one of the show's lead characters.

Since playing Tasha 'Taystee' Jefferson, the actress has gone on to dip her toe into voice acting, as well as taking on a role in the action TV series, Peacemaker, in 2022.

Danielle, 35, also went on to reprise her role in the second season of the show, which is set to premiere this August.

Additionally, she took on a role in the film, Eat Wheaties and the series, Karma's World, along with a host of other productions such as Instant Dream Home.

More recently, in 2023, Danielle earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress following her incredible performance in The Colour Purple.

She is next set to appear in A Minecraft Movie, along with an upcoming Christmas film, Oh. What. Fun.

In 2019, Danielle revealed that she and her husband were expecting a baby with her husband Dennis Gelin, an estate agent.

In 2022, she opened up about their relationship, speaking about how they met at a games night she threw at her house - and a friend told him to come along.

'He rolled in mad late, like two to three hours late,' she told Vogue. 'When all of us heard the door ring, the group decided to play a trick and grill the next person who walked in the door. I opened the door and everyone gave him the death stare. As the host, it felt a bit harsh for someone I didn't know to get playfully grilled, so I decided to quickly greet him with a smile and asked to take his coat. He smiled back.' 

Samira Wiley 

Samira played Poussey Washington in the hit series. She became known for having one of the most tragic endings of all the character after she was killed by a guard during a violent outbreak in the prison

Samira played Poussey Washington in the hit series - and became known for having one of the most tragic endings of all the characters after she was killed by a guard during a violent outbreak in the prison.

Her death was made all the more tragic by the fact that her character was one of the kindest and most lovable of the cast.

As the show ended, it drew viewers' attention to the real-life Poussey Washington Foundation, a nonprofit that raises money for criminal justice- and policy reform-related interests.

Her friend and classmate, Danielle Brooks was the one to help her rehearse for the audition, which ended up becoming her breakthrough role. 

Later, she went on to star in another flagship series, earning an Emmy for her performance as June in The Handmaid's Tale. 

Samira, 37, also had multiple guest appearances on Will and Grace and You're the Worst, and even featured as a voiceover for the video, The Walking Dead: Michonne 2016.

She also had multiple guest appearances on Will and Grace and You're the Worst, and even featured as a voiceover for the video, The Walking Dead: Michonne 2016

In 2017, she married OITNB writer, Lauren Morelli and the pair welcomed a daughter in 2021. 

That same year, Samira reflected on her early romance with wife Lauren Morelli in an interview.

Speaking to Cosmopolitan UK, the actress admitted she was both a 'confidante' and 'therapist' for the screenwriter, who was struggling to come to terms with her sexuality while creating the show.

In 2014, Lauren, who was married to Stephen Basilone until that year, revealed in an essay that working on the Netflix show helped her realise she was gay, and Samira claimed their relationship was 'built backwards' as a result.

'So much of falling in love with Lauren was her own coming-out story,' she explained. 

'For the first part of our relationship, it was more of a confidante kind of relationship where she was having lots of questions about who she was. 

'A lot of the beginning was me being a therapist, sharing my own experiences. I came out much earlier than her – I was around 20.'

She went on: 'Lauren is the most lovely person, and [we were] able to have that relationship blossom from being scared of what was happening in her own marriage to being on the other side and [realising], "Oh, this is more than this, we actually really love each other."

'We built the relationship backwards – the trust and love was all there, and the other stuff came later. Which was a unique way to enter into it, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.'

The happy couple were wed in a ceremony officiated by Samira's parents, and she said by going public with their romance they could help 'so many young girls and boys' see a queer couple in the spotlight.

Dascha Polanco 

Starring as Dayanara, Dascha started life on OITNB as the sweet inmate who fell in love and became pregnant with the prison officer, John Bennett (pictured)

Elsewhere, she has appeared in Natasha Lyonne's series Russian Doll and Poker Face (pictured in February 2025)

Starring as Dayanara, Dascha, 42, started life on OITNB as the sweet inmate who fell in love and became pregnant with the prison officer, John Bennett.

But her fate took a dark turn when the show reached its final season - by which point she had developed an addiction to drugs and was the overseer of narcotics in the correctional facility. 

In the final episode, she was strangled by her own mother - though Dascha was reportedly reassured that her character does survive the ordeal. 

After OITNB concluded, Dascha continued to pursue acting, going on to take on a role in Lin-Manual Miranda's 2021 cinematic version of his musical, In the Heights.

She was also the narrator in HBO Max series Gordita Chronicles, acting as the older unseen version of the protagonist. 

Elsewhere, she has appeared in Natasha Lyonne's series Russian Doll and Poker Face.

Kate Melgrew 

The 69-year-old actress underwent a full transformation to take on the role of the Russian inmate, 'Red' in the Netflix series (pictured)

Prior to starring in the show, Kate had already had an impressive streak in the industry, having had roles in Star Trek: Voyager, from which she won a Saturn Award, and later in Star Trek: Nemesis

The 69-year-old actress underwent a full transformation to take on the role of the Russian inmate, 'Red' in the Netflix series.

There, she played the protective and extremely maternal chef, who had become the adoptive mother to Nicky, played by Natasha Lyonne.

Prior to starring in the show, Kate had already had an impressive streak in the industry, having had roles in Star Trek: Voyager, from which she won a Saturn Award, and later in Star Trek: Nemesis.

She was also nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance Mrs Colmbu and later for an Emmy after starring in OITNB.

Since the finale of the show, she has had a steady stream of roles, including in the Stephen King series Mr Mercedes, The Man Who Fell to Earth.

She also boasts an impressive voice acting career, having appeared in Batman: The Animate Series and Discovery Logs.

Kate shares two sons with her first husband, theater director Robert H. Egan, and divorced her second husband, politician Tim Hagan, in 2014.