Since its premiere on the streaming service in 2013,Orange Is the New Blackhas been one of the most important original shows for Netflix. Focusing on the women unlucky enough to wind up inLitchfield Penitentiaryand the staff members who keep them inside, the unique series has remained consistently popular over the course of six full seasons. The show is set to return in 2019 with 13 all new episodes for season 7, and Netflix has recently confirmed that the upcoming season will also serve as the last for the series. Running for seven seasons can be considered a remarkable run for any series, but the news still will undoubtedly disappoint some of the show’s most die-hard fans.
Previously, creatorJenji Kohanhad hinted that the seventh season would be its last. “I haven’t made a final decision yet, but I’m leaning toward ending it after seven,” Kohan was quoted as saying last year, also revealing she had a planned ending in mind should it come to that. At the time, Kohan suggested it was just as likely for the show to continue past season 7, pointing out how the nature of the prison-themed series always allows for newcomers to be brought into the story. However, as we’re now finding out, Kohan’s next step is to walk away from Litchfield, perhaps taking her touch for compelling storytelling to an all new TV or film project.
Orange Is the New Blackwas inspired by the real-life story ofPiper Kerman, who wrote a best-selling memoir about her time spent in a prison facility. In the show, Taylor Schilling plays Kerman-inspired character Piper Chapman, who’s imprisoned in Litchfield under similar circumstances. Once inside, she is reunited with her ex-girlfriend, Alex Vause (Laura Prepon), resulting in plenty of tension, love, and drama over the course of the show. While behind bars, Chapman also befriends many of her fellow inmates, while continuing to have various problems with others.
Season 6 was able to ensure a completely different feel for season 7, as the finale saw Piper getting an early release. Now, thestreamingshow will follow her life on the outside, while continuing to showcase the drama going on in Litchfield with the remaining inmates. One can only hope Piper doesn’t make a critical mistake to land her back in prison, considering this is the final season and most viewers are likely expecting a happy ending for the character after everything she’s endured during her stay.
It appears the series is going togo out on a high note, which is the silver lining to the show coming to an end. As for Kohan, she will next be producing the Lifetime seriesAmerican Princess. Serving as an executive producer for the hit seriesGLOW, Kohan will continue to produce content for Netflix as well. We look forward to seeing what else will come from her next. This information comes to us fromThe Hollywood Reporter.
