Jenji Kohan’s television adaptation of Piper Kerman’s memoir Orange Is The New Black: My Year In A Women’s Prison is something of a phenomenon – and with good reason. Packed with great writing, fearless performances and brilliant direction, the Netflix Original Series burst onto the streaming channel with 13 episodes on July 11th, 2013, and became an instant hit. A second season of 13 episodes arrived on June 6th, 2014 and was similarly well-received – bolstered by the announcement of no fewer than 12 Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Season 3 of Orange Is The New Black has been commissioned, and Fringe fan favourite Blair Brown will join the cast.
The details of Brown’s character are not yet known, but the intimidating abilities of both the actress, and the show’s writers, make for an exciting combination. Throughout her career, Brown has accumulated many high profile awards nominations of her own in both film and television, and brings with her over 40 years of experience in crafting memorable characters. Her most recent role – as the complex Nina Sharp in Fringe – brought her an army of new fans and revitalized her professional profile. Her addition to the cast of a show like Orange Is The New Black – along with fellow veteran actress Mary Steenburgen – makes the next season all the more difficult to wait for.
Casting is a particular strength of Orange Is The New Black. Giving space to what is perhaps the most diverse collection of performers currently on television, we see as many familiar faces working their magic onscreen as new ones. The show has seen the welcome return of Kate Mulgrew (Star Trek: Voyager) as Russian convict ‘Red’, and Jason Biggs as Piper’s former partner, Larry – as well as showcasing the awesome talents of Uzo Aduba, Danielle Brooks, Yael Stone and Laverne Cox, among many others.
As some gains are made, however, so the cast must suffer some losses. Pablo Schreiber will not return to his star-making role as prison guard George ‘Pornstache’ Mendez, as he is heading to HBO’s The Brink – the forthcoming TV comedy starring Jack Black and Tim Robbins. It will surely not be long before such high profile offers begin rolling in for the rest of the cast of Orange Is The New Black – the next season of which should arrive in 2015.
