Orange Is the New Black may or may not be one of the hottest shows out right now, not to mention the fact that it’s out on Netflix, which totally makes it the perfect excuse to lay in bed and watch the entire series all in one sitting.
But there are a few secrets behind the hit show that might surprise even the biggest fans.
So without further adieu, we are rounding up 16 things you didn’t know about the show and its amazing cast!
While you’re sitting there, be sure to scroll to the bottom to watch the video with all these facts!
Most people know that the opening credits song is by Regina Spektor and was made exclusively for the show, but did you know that when the faces start flashing on the screen, several of them actually include the real-life Piper Kerman, whose book was the basis for the whole series.
If you’ve ever wondered why Yoga Jones sounds so familiar, this is because she was the voice for Patti Mayonnaise on Doug.
The show’s creator, Jenji Kohan, was responsible for writing an episode of not only The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air but also Gilmore Girls.
The bartender that Larry drowns his sorrows to in season one, episode seven, was on the Nickelodeon show on Caitlin’s Way which ran from 2000-2002. Another familiar face includes an actor from the Disney spinoff, Girl Meets World, in season one, episode nine, you might recognize Sabrina Carpenter in one of Alex Vause’s flashbacks.
Academy Award winner Jodie Foster directed not one, but two episodes of OITNB, the first was the one where we learn the back-story of Sophia (played by Laverne Cox). She later returned to direct the first episode of season two.
While we’re speaking about Laverne Cox’s back-story; if you’ve ever wondered how they managed to make her pre-transition scenes look so realistic, is because the actor was actually her real-life twin brother.
Pablo Schreiber, who plays the prison guard known as Pornstache, is half-brothers with Liev Schreiber in real life.
Matt McGorry, who plays John Bennett, has some really strange skills beyond acting… it’s hard to explain what these skills are… but go to 2:55 in the video above to see this!
Taystee and Crazy Eyes are actually friends in real life, and before OITNB, they used to sing together.
Before Orange Is the New Black, Jacke Cruz, who plays Flaca (the one with the eyeliner) spent her time making appearances on Courtney And Chloe Take Miami.
Jason Biggs, who plays Larry, explains to Piper that he tells her everything, including the webcam horror and the penis shaving incident – which is a reference to his previous acting role as Jim on America Pie. While we’re on the subject of American Pie, you’ll also notice that Natasha Lyonne (who plays Nicky on OITNB) is also an actor in the films. Also, Kate Mulgrew, who plays Red, also played Captain Catherine Janeway on Star Trek for six years.
Also, have you ever noticed that every time Piper uses the phone, there’s a crying woman somewhere in the distance?! (More of an Easter egg than a fact – but still an interesting observation).
In Nicky’s flashback, where we see her before her heart surgery, we see Alex Vause shows up with a scar, which is 100% real and is actually from when she had surgery back in 2012.
The release date for season two happened to be the exact same date as the release for the film adaptation of The Fault in our Stars, so naturally, they feature the book in the episode – even the inmates like a good love story!
Originally, Laura Prepon didn’t even audition for the role of Alex, but she actually read for Piper. But according to the show’s creator, Laura Prepon was just a little too tough for the role of Piper Chapman.
In the 15 seasons of Law and Order, the following OITNB characters have all had a role in an episode: Red, Gloria, Watson, Heeley, Pornstache, Big Boo, Nicky, Pennsatucky, Vee & Yoga Jones.
Well, that wraps up our 16 things you didn’t know about Orange Is the New Black. Hope you enjoyed the facts!
