If you haven’t watched or started watching Orange Is The New Black (we’ve already finished season 3), please do yourself a favour and start now!
But if you’re like us and have watched season 3 (featuring the ultimate woman crush, Ruby Rose), we have some cool facts to keep you busy until the next season comes along:
1. LAVERNE COX HAS A TWIN BROTHER WHO FEATURES IN THE SHOW
Laverne Coz, who plays transgender Sophia Burset on the show, has a twin brother named M Lamar. He played the pre-transitioning Sophia in the episodes that tell the backstory of how Sophia landed up in Litchfield.
2. FAMOUS PEOPLE HAVE DIRECTED EPISODES
Acclaimed actress Jodie Foster directed an episode in season 1 (the episode titled Lesbian Request Denied) and season 2 of the show, and Andrew McCarthey, who starred in the 80s films St. Elmo’s Fire and Weekend At Bernie’s, has directed six episodes over the course of the three seasons.
3. INMATES FOSTERING DOGS IS A REAL THING
Remember when Big Boo had a dog, little Boo? Well, it turns out that prison inmates are actually able to participate in such programs. This has dual benefits for both the prisoner and the dog – it prevents dogs from being put down due to overcrowding in animal shelters and they’re able to get training to become guide dogs for the blind. The inmate benefits from the animal-assisted therapy as well as potentially helping the inmate find a similar job once they get out of prison.
4. THE WARDROBE IS AUTHENTIC
The ghastly orange jumpsuits your favourite stars wear are purchased from prison suppliers, as are those hilariously oversized bras and panties they wear in the episode about bed bugs. Huh, talk about characterisation!
5. BENNET IS A FORMER BODYBUILDER
Matt McGorry, who plays a security guard and baby daddy to Daya’s baby, is a former professional bodybuilder. Matt also acts on the series How To Get Away With Murder.
6. LAURA PREPON (ALEX) AUDITIONED FOR A DIFFERENT ROLE
Laura originally auditioned for the role of Piper but landed up with the more suitable role of dangerous and alluring Alex. The casting directors liked her audition so much that they tailored the role of Alex to her.
7. LORNA IS AUSTRALIAN
Yip, Yael Stone hails from the land down under.