Suzanne ‘Crazy Eyes’ Warren
In a dramatic series brimming with excellent female television characters, Suzanne Warren is a particular stand-out in Orange Is The New Black. Played by the award-winning Uzo Aduba, ‘Crazy Eyes’ is introduced as an emotionally unstable inmate who becomes easily fixated on specific individuals. During the course of season one, she becomes obsessed with new prisoner, and lead character, Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), and her fascination is quickly increased to uncomfortable levels. ‘Crazy Eyes’ frequently erupts into violence, as she struggles to process social situations and stress.
It is during season two, however, that the character truly comes into her own. Her childhood is revealed through gripping flashback, and we see her raised by a stifling white family. Her intense desire to be included and valued becomes apparent, and it is clear that this makes her vulnerable to manipulation as a new prisoner arrives and uses her for the furthering of her own agenda. As the audience, this deeper understanding of a complex character draws us in to her situation, and we find ourselves willing her to extricate herself, before it is too late.
That Suzanne ‘Crazy Eyes’ Warren has progressed from minor supporting character in early episodes, to a main character in just two seasons, is testament to the power of this woman.
