The Amazing Women of Orange Is The New Black IRL

Welcome to the Litchfield Penitentiary maximum security prison! There are fights, love triangles, shady deals and tons of drama. We can’t help it, we love it! Orange is the New Black is an amazing show and has become the most watched Netflix series to date. Ever wonder what prison is really like? Or gangs? What about how to use makeup without having makeup? The show has all the answers to these questions as seen through the main character, Piper Chapman. She left her middle-class life and fiancé when she is sent to jail for 14 months. She has some trouble at first, but we think it is safe to say she toughens up rather quickly.Many don’t know this but Orange is the New Black is based on a true story. Piper Kerman wrote much of the show as part of her memoir, Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison. After Netflix turned it into a show, it became mega-famous! Part of its success is due to the amazing cast. So far the show has received 12 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, six Writers Guild of America Award nominations, a Producers Guild of America Award, a Peabody Award, six Golden Globe Award nominations, and an American Film Institute award! We’d also say it is a little addicting.Each character has an interesting backstory which viewers get to see with flashbacks throughout the 5 seasons. New relationships are made inside the jail which is a great recipe for some drama. The series even starts with the main character running into her ex-girlfriend.We think the women of the show are amazing and have very interesting personal lives. They have now been on the show 5 years! Do you want to know more about them when they aren’t in those beautiful orange jumpsuits? We found out everything you need to know about them!

Suzanne Warren is one of the most well-known characters on the show. She is known as “Crazy Eyes” from her fellow inmates at Litchfield Penitentiary. Most of the other inmates try to keep their distance from her because they know any small interaction might be interpreted as a lifelong friendship to her. Piper didn’t know this and quickly becomes Crazy Eyes’ love interest.

Uzo Aduba – in real life

The actress that plays Crazy Eyes is the beautiful Uzo Aduba. She won two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Awards for her amazing work on the show.

She is originally from Boston and is well known for being an LGBTQ activist. In 2017, she won Point Courage Award from the Point Foundation for her support of the LGBTQ community.

Danielle Brooks as Tasha ‘Taystee’ Jefferson

Tasha Jefferson is one inmate who rather be in prison than free in the outside world. She worked in the prison’s library and wears a lock of Piper’s hair.

She gets out of prison but purposely gets in trouble to go back.

Danielle Brooks – in real life

Danielle Brooks plays Tasha. She is 28 years old and previously won a Tony for her Broadway performance in The Color Purple.

She often performs in musicals, and in reality TV shows including Project Runway All Stars.

Dascha Polanco as Dayanara Diaz

Daynara Diaz is a maximum security prisoner at the penitentiary. At the beginning of season 1, she becomes pregnant and tries to hide it from the other inmates.

Once she gives birth the child is taken to protected services.

Dascha Polanco – in real life

Dascha Polanco is native to the Dominican Republic. At age 35 she caught her big break by getting cast on the show.

She never thought she would succeed as an actress, but she did!

Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman

Piper Chapman is the main character on the show. The plot of the show revolved around her experiences in jail.

She is 31 years old and has a fiance who is waiting for her to be released from prison. Things get a little complicated when Piper’s ex, Alex Vause, ends up in the same jail at Piper.

Taylor Schilling – in real life

Taylor Schilling did an amazing job on Orange is the New Black. She was awarded a Screen Actors Guild Award for her outstanding performance.

Taylor has been acting since she was in middle school and is currently filming a movie called The Public.

Laura Prepon as Alex Vause

Alex Vause is such an intriguing character. She is clever, manipulative, and confident.

She usually keeps to herself, but if provoked she will definitely fight back. By the end of the 5th season, she is engaged to her ex, Piper.

Laura Prepon – in real life

Laura Prepon is well known for her role on That ’70s Show. I

t ran from 1998 to 2006. She has many other television roles under her belt and a few movies including The Hero, The Girl on The Train, and The Kitchen.

Yael Stone as Lorna Morello

Lorna Morello Muccio is played by Yael Stone in Orange is the New Black.

Lorna is known as “the pretty girl” and uses everyday objects in prison to make herself look amazing. She is also known for being a compulsive liar and a bit racist.

Yael Stone – in real life

Yael Stone is native to Australia. She began her career in theatre before she became a TV star.

She moved to New York and was pretty quickly added to the Orange is the New Black cast. She has a partner named Jack Manning Bancroft and they have one child together.

Laura Gomez as Blanca Flores

Blanca Flores is the antagonist of Orange is the New Black.

Her character has a very dark sense of humor. She is part of the Dominican crew who have a lot of power in Litchfield Penitentiary.

Laura Gomez – in real life

Laura Gomez is from the Dominican Republic originally. She is a writer, actress, public speaker and has directing experience.

She is very talented and had written and produced two of her own short movies.

Vicky Jeudy as Janae Watson

Janae Watson has experienced racism throughout her life and by the time she lands in jail she simply cannot tolerate any racist comments.

She is very intelligent and is close friends with Yoga Jones. Yoga helps her improve herself and control her hot temper.

Vicky Jeudy – in real life

Vicky Jeudy is native to Haiti and landed her first big break on Orange is the New Black.

Before she was on the show she competed in beauty pageants and attended State University of New York.

Selenis Leyva as Gloria Mendoza

Gloria Mendoza becomes head of the kitchen after Red is dismissed. She ends up quitting her position to have more free time.

She is the leader of the Spanish Harem until Maria Ruiz takes over.

Selenis Leyva – in real life

Selenis Leyva is a Cuban actress. She had some smaller roles before she joined the cast. Appearing on Orange is the New Black was her big break.

We are glad to see her shine! She has won multiple awards for her role.

Kate Mulgrew as Galina ‘Red’ Reznikov

Galina Reznikov portrays the character Red. She is the leader of Red’s Girls and is the Head Chef for awhile at Litchfield.

She is very smart and has a lot of power and influence in the jail.

Kate Mulgrew – in real life

Kate Mulgrew is best known for playing Captain Kathryn Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager.

She has a very well established acting career and has earned a Golden Globe, A Primetime Emmy Award, and an Obie Award. Not bad, Kate!

Taryn Manning as Tiffany ‘Pennsatucky’ Doggett

Tiffany Dogget is a main antagonist of the show. She has many sides to her. On one side she is a controversial, foul-mouthed woman, and on the other hand, she is a devote Christain.

Over the course of the show, she becomes a bit more mature.

Taryn Manning – in real life

Taryn Manning is mega talented! She is a great singer/songwriter, actress, and fashion designer.

She appeared in 8 mile, White Oleander and Hustle and Flow. She has appeared on many TV shows and co-owns a fashion line called Born Uniqorn.

Lea DeLaria as Big Boo

Carrie Black gets the awesome nickname Big Boo from her fellow inmates. Most of the other women inmates are afraid of her.

Carrie is very competitive and will stop at nothing to achieve her goals.

Lea DeLaria – in real life

Leo DeLaria is an actress and a jazz musician. Awesome!

She is originally from Illinois and has starred in quite a few Broadway productions including The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Adrienne Moore as Cindy Hayes

Cindy Hayes is usually called Black Cindy. She has a pretty interesting storyline.

She converts to Judaism and adds Tova to her name in the third season of Orange is the New Black.

Adrienne Moore – in real life

Adrienne Moore is a 37-year-old actress from Nashville. Before she was on the show, she went to Northwestern University and appeared in many off-Broadway productions.

She also has appeared in a number of television shows.

Natasha Lyonne as Nicky Nichols

Nicky Nicols is real, funny, and sarcastic. She was previously an alcoholic and is shown attending AA meetings in flashbacks on the show.

She is obviously also still struggling with addiction. She was put on maximum security for relapsing in season 3.

Natasha Lyonne – in real life

Natasha Lyonne is well known for playing Jessica in the American Pie movies.

She did a great job on Orange is the New Black and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her performance.

Jessica Pimentel as Maria Ruiz

Maria Ruiz is one of the main antagonists on the show.

She is a very tough lady but she loves her boyfriend and her daughter very much. Eventually, her boyfriend decides to stop visiting her in prison and this deeply affects her.

Jessica Pimentel – in real life

Jessica Pimentel in addition to acting is the lead singer of the heavy metal band called Alekhine’s Gun.

She had some smaller roles in movies and TV shows before she became the main character on Orange is the New Black. She appeared in How to Score Your Life and All My Children.

Diane Guerrero as Maritza Ramos

Maritza Ramos is a feisty con-artist who pretends to be a little dumb to get what she wants.

Her best friend in prison is Flaca. When she is angry she is known to scream in Spanish.

Diane Guerrero – in real life

Diane Guerro is an established author and actress. She starred in Jane the Virgin and also has published a memoir.

She is also politically involved and has been pushing for immigration reform.

Jackie Cruz as Marisol ‘Flaca’ Gonzales

Marisol Gonzales is the youngest inmate on the show. She is very gullible and believes nearly anything she hears, including racial stereotypes.

She is very intelligent and actually edits the prison newsletters.

Jackie Cruz – in real life

Jackie Cruz is a multi-talented woman. She is an actress, singer, and model. She has a rough life before she joined the cast of Orange is the New Black.

She was previously homeless, had brain surgery and was in a coma. She made it and now is enjoying a beautiful life as a Hollywood starlet.

Ruby Rose as Stella Carlin

In the third season, Stella Carlin makes her debut in maximum security prison. She quickly becomes a main antagonist of the other inmates.

She is intelligent, sarcastic and loud. She often steals things such as money from Piper.

Ruby Rose – in real life

Ruby Rose is from Austrailia originally. She is a model, singer, DJ, and an actress. She can do anything!

She is currently engaged to fashion designer Phoebe Dahl.

Elizabeth Rodriguez as Aleida Diaz

Aleida Diaz is played by Elizabeth Rodriguez. Aleida is a narcissistic and selfish woman. She is a part of the Latina crew.

Before she went to jail she had 5 children, and one of them, Daya ends up in prison with her.

Elizabeth Rodriguez – in real life

Elizabeth Rodriguez became famous performing different roles in plays.

She was nominated for a Tony Award and won a Theatre World Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award. She became famous after starring in The Walking Dead. She recently gave an amazing performance in the hit movie Logan.

Emma Myles as Leanne Taylor

Leanne Taylor seems like an innocent blond girl, but she isn’t! She is a very power hungry woman who is a little scary! She is very mean to anyone who disagrees with her.

She is a part of the White Power group and is a leader in some parts of the show.

Emma Myles – in real life

Emma Myles caught her big break when she was cast on the show. Before the show started she was actually good friends with fellow cast-mate, Dascha Polaco.

Before she was on the show she had some smaller roles in movies and TV including in How to Make It in America, Please Give and Conviction.

Samira Wiley as Poussey Washington

Samira Wiley portrays Poussey Washington who is a woman with an amazing heart and sense of humor. She often is seen making jokes near the prison’s library.

Some of her flaws include she is a previous alcoholic and has some issues with depression.

Samira Wiley – in real life

Samira Wiley is a model and actress. She also played a key character on the critically acclaimed series The Handmaid’s Tale.

She got a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for her work on the show. She is currently married to a writer for the show.

Constance Shulman as Yoga Jones

Yoga Jones teaches yoga at the prison, hence the nickname. She previously had issues with addiction but became Buddhist and became a very spiritual woman.

She often tries to resolve conflicts between the inmates and mend friendships.

Constance Shulman – in real life

Constance Shulman is married to fellow actor Reed Birney. Together they have two children who are also actors.

She is a stage actress, voice actress, and television star. She portrayed Annelle in the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Steel Magnolias. She also made cameos on that ’90s show.

Abigail Savage as Gina Murphy

Gina Murphy is good friends with the head chef, Red. She is known for being an extremely loyal friend.

She won’t let Piper eat because she insulted Red’s food for example.

Abigail Savage – in real life

Abigail Savage’s big break was when she was cast in Orange is the New Black.

She did have other roles previously, for example as Bunny in the movie Previous. She also worked behind the scenes and done some designing for other films. Pretty impressive!

Annie Golden as Norma Romano

Norma Romano has a stutter and is partially mute.

She is a quiet, introvert and her voice is rarely heard. When she does want to say something, she prefers to communicate by writing on a notepad. She is very loyal to the cook, Red.

Annie Golden – in real life

IRL Annie Golden is a 66-year-old New Yorker. She is a talented singer and actress. She was the lead singer of the band called The Shirts and has worked on many hit albums in her career.

She has very own single called “Hang Up the Phone.” Besides that, Annie stared in many Broadway productions and musicals including Assassins. She is a great member of the Orange is the New Black cast!

Lin Tucci as Anita DeMarco

Anita DeMarco likes to help the new additions to the jail and helps Piper adjust to prison life.

She worked as a Whispers Employee Construction worker while in prison. She too is close with Red, and is a part of her crew.

Lin Tucci – in real life

Lin is originally from Winthrop, Massachusetts. She got her big break in the 1995 movie Showgirls.

She played roles in other TV series since then including Law & Order but her true 2nd big break was with Orange Is The New Black. Mosty recently she is on the cast of MegaBall$.

Kimiko Glenn as Brook Soso

Brook Soso is a newbie at the jail, and she has a big mouth! If often angered the other inmates.

She is very passionate and went on a hunger strike to protest the bad conditions in jail.

Kimiko Glenn – in real life

Kimiko Glenn is 28 years old. She appeared in some Broadway musicals and had some small supporting roles in movies before she was on Orange Is The New Black. Her most recent work was in the thriller Nerve.

She is dating fellow actor Sean Grandillo.

Dale Soules as Frieda Berlin

Frieda Berlin is a member of the Golden Girls at Litchfield. She is Red’s “go to woman” and she is very loyal to her.

This is one prisoner who is known for being tough, and one you certainly don’t want to mess with!

Dale Soules – in real life

Dale Soules IRL is a 71-year-old actress. She got her start acting as a child on Sesame Street.

She has starred in a number of movies and TV shows. Most recently she appeared in the 2009 movie The Messenger.

Laverne Cox as Sophia Burset

Sophia is the only transgender woman in prison. She works as a hairstylist for all the others.

Maria Ruiz tried to turn her salon business into something slightly more illegal and she got sent to maximum security jail.

Laverne Cox – in real life

Laverne Cox is a famous LGBT advocate and actress. She made history when she became the first openly transgender person to ever be nominated for an Emmy.

She has received dozens of awards for her LGBT advocacy. Most recently she appeared in the movie entitled Freak Show and the television show Doubt.

Julie Lake as Angie Rice

Angie Rice is a timid girl who is afraid to speak up for herself.

She does have some snide comments but rarely states them. She was accidentally released from prison and was found not too soon after by prison guards.

Julie Lake – in real life

Julie Lake is a beauty with a big brain! She graduated from Yale University.

Orange is the New Black was Julie’s big break and we love her on the show! She has had some smaller roles in other productions and is currently working on the set of the film Landfill.

Francesca Curran as Helen Van Mae

Helen Van Maele was a new addition in season 4 to the cast. She became known as “Skinhead Helen” who is a racist and white supremacist.

Ironically she loves unicorns and Lisa Frank.

Francesca Curran – in real life

Francesca Curran is 23 years old. She shaved her head to play the role of “Skinhead Helen.”

This was her breakout role, and we can’t wait to see what she does next!