Orange is the New Black Season 3 Cast: Where Are They Now?

Remembering Litchfield: The Orange is the New Black Season 3 Cast

When Orange is the New Black premiered on Netflix, it revolutionized streaming television and introduced audiences to one of the most diverse, talented ensemble casts in television history. By the time Season 3 rolled around in 2015, the show was a cultural phenomenon. It balanced dark prison politics with heartbreaking backstories and sharp comedy, centered around Piper Chapman and her fellow inmates at Litchfield Penitentiary.

Years after the series finale, fans still look back fondly at the Orange is the New Black Season 3 cast and wonder what their favorite actors have been up to. While some stars used the show as a springboard to Hollywood mega-stardom, others have continued to build impressive, varied careers in television, film, and theater. Let's take a deep dive into where the key cast members of Season 3 are today.

The Main Inmates: Where Are They Now?

Season 3 of OITNB expanded the show's scope, diving deeper into the faith of Pennsatucky, the tragic history of Lolly Whitehill, and the burgeoning contraband business run by Piper and Alex. Here is what the core inmates are doing now.

Taylor Schilling (Piper Chapman)

Taylor Schilling anchored the series as the polarizing protagonist Piper Chapman. After shedding her orange jumpsuit, Schilling has deliberately chosen diverse indie film and television roles. She starred in the Hulu psychological thriller series Pam & Tommy as Erica Gauthier and appeared in the anthology series The Bite. She continues to work steadily in independent cinema.

Laura Prepon (Alex Vause)

Laura Prepon’s portrayal of the sharp-tongued, quick-witted Alex Vause made her a fan favorite. Since the show ended, Prepon has stepped behind the camera as a television director, helming episodes of shows like the Netflix reboot That '90s Show, where she also reprised her iconic That '70s Show role as Donna Pinciotti. She is also a published author and lifestyle entrepreneur.

Uzo Aduba (Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren)

Uzo Aduba won multiple Emmy Awards for her unforgettable performance as Suzanne Warren, a role that became the beating heart of the series. Aduba has experienced a phenomenal post-OITNB career. She starred in the FX miniseries Mrs. America (winning another Emmy), led the HBO series In Treatment, and starred in the Netflix drama series Painkiller.

Danielle Brooks (Teystee Jefferson)

Danielle Brooks brought fierce intelligence and devastating emotional depth to Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson. Brooks has achieved major acclaim on both stage and screen. She received a Tony Award nomination for her role in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple and later earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for reprising that same role in the 2023 musical film adaptation of The Color Purple.

Fan Favorites and Season 3 Breakouts

Season 3 introduced new dynamics, including the privatization of Litchfield, which brought in a new wave of characters and pushed existing favorites into new territory.

Natasha Lyonne (Nicky Nichols)

Though Nicky spent a significant portion of Season 3 in max, Natasha Lyonne's quick wit and distinct delivery remained iconic. Lyonne has since cemented her status as a television auteur. She co-created, starred in, and directed the critically acclaimed Netflix series Russian Doll and created the Peacock mystery-comedy hit series Poker Face, earning multiple Emmy nominations along the way.

Jackie Cruz (Flaca Gonzales) and Diane Guerrero (Maritza Ramos)

The dynamic duo of Flaca and Maritza provided much-needed comedic relief and pop-culture commentary in Season 3.

• Jackie Cruz: Has focused on both her music career and acting, appearing in television series like Good Girls and various indie films.
• Diane Guerrero: Became a prominent activist and author, while also starring as Jane in the critically acclaimed DC superhero series Doom Patrol.

Selenis Leyva (Gloria Mendoza)

Selenis Leyva’s Gloria Mendoza stepped up as a maternal yet pragmatic leader in the prison kitchen during Season 3. Leyva has enjoyed a very active television career since, landing notable recurring and regular roles in Disney+'s Diary of a Future President, the movie Spirited, and the Saved by the Bell revival series.

The Litchfield Staff and Guards

The power dynamics shifted dramatically in Season 3 with the arrival of MCC (Management & Correction Corporation) and new, often unqualified guards.

Dascha Polanco (Daya Diaz)

While Daya's storyline took heavy emotional tolls in Season 3 involving her pregnancy and the guards, Dascha Polanco has stayed remarkably busy in Hollywood. She has appeared in major feature films like In the Heights, Samaritan alongside Sylvester Stallone, and television shows like Russian Doll and The Good Fight.

Michael Harney (Sam Healy)

Michael Harney played the deeply flawed, complex counselor Sam Healy. A veteran character actor, Harney has continued to lend his gravitas to numerous television projects, including recurring roles in sci-fi and crime dramas like Project Blue Book and For All Mankind.

The Legacy of Litchfield

The impact of Orange is the New Black extends far beyond its initial run. For the cast of Season 3, the show served as a groundbreaking platform that brought intersectional storytelling and complex female characters to the forefront of mainstream media. While the gates of Litchfield are permanently closed, the stellar careers of its alumni prove that these talented actors were only just getting started.

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