Orange is the New Black – Copyright Netflix
Orange is the New Black is coming back for its seventh and final season and likely hit Netflix in summer 2019. Here’s what we know about season 7 including the release date, who’s returning, what will it be about and some snippets of information about the spin-off series due to release.
Note: This is an ongoing article so we’ll continue updating as time progresses. The last update was in March 2019.
Let’s quickly catch you up with the antics so far and how we got to season 6 of OiTNB. The series first premiered back in the early days of Netflix Originals. The first season dropped with 13 episodes all at once and took the world by storm. Although House of Cards was the first major Netflix Original, Orange is the New Black is when competitors took note of Netflix.
Since 2013, a new season has dropped every single year since in June with the exception of this season which dropped in July.
In case you didn’t know, Netflix ordered a huge block of seasons for the show. This was and still is an unprecedented move by Netflix as they rarely give multi-season orders. The show is currently renewed up to season 7 and has confirmed to be its last but perhaps not the end to Litchfield as a whole as we’ll explore below.
Orange is the New Black Season 7 has finished filming
On February 27th, the cast and crew took to Twitter with great sorrow that season 7 has now wrapped up filming.
"Orange Is the New Black" has officially wrapped production on the final season.
"This is a family," creator Jenji Kohan captioned a photo of the cast and crew who blessed us all with six wonderful seasons! pic.twitter.com/TrEo0apjaB
— Netflix Queue (@netflixqueue) February 27, 2019
The series will now move into the editing phase and then be prepped for release.
Orange is the New Black Season 7 Plot
Spoiler alerts for season 6
Orange is the New Black season 6 recap
The sixth season was the biggest shakeup yet for the show. Seasons 4 and 5 saw Litchfield in absolute chaos. As a result of the riots and deaths, the women have been split up and sent to a max prison.
At the end of season 6, the show’s main star is now free. Piper gets the verdict in her favor and sees her early departure from prison. This was only shortly after the prison wedding between Piper and Alex.
What will happen in Orange is the New Black season 7?
It’s been confirmed that we will be following Piper’s journey post-prison. Tara Herrmann spoke to THR and said the seventh season “will track Piper’s post-prison journey.”
(Photo by Paul Zimmerman/WireImage)
Other inmates weren’t quite as lucky as Piper. Taystee has been convicted of murder and will continue to serve her time. Daya still descends into drug addiction, and Blanca is being deported.
In the final moments of season 6, we see the prisoners being split into two buses. One is headed for the border, and the other to an unknown prison.
Supermax prison in season 6 of OiTNB
Expect season 7 of Orange is the New Black to be very political
Orange is the New Black has never shied away from being political. It’s been a constant advocate for prison reform, partly due to the show’s inspiration and being a strong advocate, too.
From several casting announcements, we know that ICE, a government organization that is under great scrutiny in real life, will be featured here. The show has always had something to say politically, but it expects that to be dialed up for season 7.
Throughout season 6, a few of the girls in prison quoted Donald Trump directly, so don’t be surprised if we hear or see of the current President in the next season.
Season 6 had some notable missing cast members who were shipped to another prison, but we didn’t follow them.
When will Orange is the New Black season 7 be on Netflix?
Thanks to the trailer that dropped, we now have confirmation on the release date of Orange is the New Black’s final season! Be prepared to say goodbye to the inmates of Litchfield minimum-security prison on July 26th, 2019.
Where is season 7 in production?
Current status: Post-Production (Last updated: 22/05/2019)
Thanks to regular updates from actress Laura Prepon, we know that the filming will conclude at the end of February or early March. The actress uploaded a heartfelt goodbye and appreciation to her character Alex that she’s portrayed for the past 7 seasons.
View this post on Instagram
That’s a wrap on one of the greatest gifts: bringing Alex Vause to life and being a part of this phenomenal show, #OITNB. #orangefamily, I am truly grateful for this experience and for all of you!
What cast members will return for season 7 of Orange is the New Black?
It appears that most of the main cast from season 6 will be returning for season 7.
Of course, many of the cast members will be filming separately for season 7.
The latest addition to the cast is actress and comedian Iliana Inocencio. It is unknown at this time what role she will have in the upcoming season but her brother took the time to congratulate her on twitter for getting a role in the series.
As of January 2019, thanks to some IMDb updates, we also know of some other smaller recurring characters who will be returning for season 7.
- Ian Paola who plays Yadriel is listed for episode 6
- Mandela Bellamy who plays Rosalie Deitland is scheduled for three episodes in season 7.
- Miguel Izaguirre who plays Diablo is scheduled to appear in episode 3
- Evander Duck Jr. who played a case manager and Bernard Whittles will return for episode 6.
We also know of some new character too both playing roles of significance or more background.
- Komal Charania will play an ICE Detainee
New background characters – Screenshot from IMDb
Is Laura Prepon returning for Orange is the New Black season 7?
Longtime fans of the show will know that Laura Prepon, who plays Alex Vause, has spent many episodes on the sidelines. For most of season 6, for example, she was not present.
She’s confirmed her involvement in season 7, and once again, it extends beyond just reprising her role as Alex.
On January 18th, 2019, Laura confirmed she was directing again.
Sometimes directing comes with perks! #FemaleFilmmakerFriday #OITNB #FBF pic.twitter.com/HosFPfBJXD
— Laura Prepon (@LauraPrepon) January 18, 2019
Here, the directing experience on the show began in season 5, and they talked about the experience in an interview in December.
Is Gemma Collins starring in Orange is the New Black season 7?
Gemma Collins in Orange is the New Black
We’ve heard rumors that Gemma Collins will be returning for season 7. The reality is that she only appeared in some UK promotional material for season 6.
Although Gemma has stated her intention to get into serious acting, it’s not expected she’ll be a recurring character in season 7.
Gemma Collins, for those who don’t know, appears in a popular UK reality series called The Only Way is Essex.
How many episodes will there be in season 7?
Thanks to some casting information and the up-to-date IMDb, we’re currently expecting season 7 to consist of 13 episodes.
Sometimes, on finale seasons, we get a longer episode, but that’s yet to be confirmed for Orange is the New Black season 7.
Will Natasha Lyonne be returning for Orange is the New Black season 7?
Natasha Lyonne who has a major career break on Netflix recently thanks to her new hit show Russian Doll will be returning to reprise her role as Nicky.
Natasha Lyonne returning for OiTNB season 7
Speaking to Insider, she said, “How heartbreaking it is going to be to see it end,” adding, “We’re really a tight unit.”.
Will Season 7 be the last season?
Season 7 is currently the end of the road for Orange is the New Black. It was confirmed recently after a compilation video was released showing with the cast announcing the news.
Warning: This may make you cry. The Final Season, 2019. #OITNB pic.twitter.com/bUp2yY0aoK
— Orange Is the New Black (@OITNB) October 17, 2018
Why season 7 of Orange is the New Black may not be the end
You heard that correctly. Season 7 may not be the end and a potential sequel is in the works behind the scenes according to THR. This news came in November 2018 where Genji Kohan (the shows creator who also works on Netflix’s GLOW) is said to be working on a sequel.
Jenji Kohan behind the sequel to Orange is the New Black (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
Don’t expect a full-fledged announcement anytime soon, though. As said in an earnings call, “We’re already in discussions, and when the timing is right, we’ll talk further with Jenji about a potential sequel.”
Now it’s over to you. Are you looking forward to season 7 of Orange is the New Black?
Netflix Synopsis: "A privileged New Yorker ends up in a women's prison when a past crime catches up with her in this Emmy-winning series from the creator of Weeds."
