Current Projects Of Orange Is The New Black Stars
- 01. What the main cast is working on now
- 02. Leading ladies and their latest roles
- 03. Breakout stars and supporting players
- 04. Other notable OITNB alumni
- 05. Key OITNB actors and their current projects (Table)
- 06. Directors, writers, and behind-the-scenes roles
- 07. How Orange is the New Black shaped their careers
- 08. Which Orange is the New Black stars are still doing voice acting?
- 09. Are any OITNB cast doing theater or film musicals?
- 10. Where to watch them next
What the main cast is working on now
Since Orange is the New Black ended in 2019, viewers have tracked how the ensemble transitioned into other roles, from dramatic series and voice-over work to film adaptations and talk-show hosting. Below is a snapshot of some of the most prominent cast members' current or recent projects, designed to answer where these performers are "headed next" in their careers.
Leading ladies and their latest roles
Taylor Schilling, who played Piper Chapman, has pivoted toward limited series and voice work, including a recurring voice role as Renee in the animated sci-fi drama Pantheon, which debuted on AMC+ in 2022. She also appeared in the FX/Hulu limited series Pam & Tommy (2022) and ABC's drama Dear Edward (2022-2023), reinforcing her positioning in prestige television.
Uzo Aduba, known for her breakout role as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren, has become a leading figure in political and historical dramas, starring as Shirley Chisholm in the FX/Hulu limited series Mrs. America (2020), which earned the show a 94% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. She has since added voice work to Pixar's Lightyear and appeared in Netflix's opioid-crisis drama Painkiller (2023), where she plays a corporate executive grappling with a public-relations scandal.
Natasha Lyonne, who portrayed the anarchic Nicky Nichols, has leveraged her fame into executive-producing and starring roles, co-creating and leading the Netflix series Russian Doll (2019-2022), which drew over 40 million global viewers in its first month, according to industry estimates. She currently stars and serves as executive producer on the Peacock mystery anthology Poker Face (2022-present), which has been praised for its classic "case-of-the-week" structure and earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
Breakout stars and supporting players
Danielle Brooks (Taystee Jefferson) has moved into a mix of comedy animation and major film adaptations, lending her voice to the TBS series Close Enough and appearing in the DC series Peacemaker alongside stars like John Cena and Viola Davis. Her next-biggest project is the 2023 Broadway-adapted film The Color Purple, where she plays Sofia opposite Fantasia Barrino and Taraji P. Henson, marking her first leading role in a wide-release musical.
Dascha Polanco (Dayanara "Daya" Diaz) has appeared in the musical film In the Heights (2021) and the family-oriented comedy series Gordita Chronicles, while also booking a guest arc on Natasha Lyonne's Poker Face. These roles cement her status as a versatile performer who can move between musicals, working-class dramas, and quirky streaming comedies.
Selenis Leyva (Gloria Mendoza) has shifted into family-oriented and genre television, starring in the Disney+ series Diary of a Future President (2020-2022) and playing regular roles in shows like Gordita Chronicles and HBO Max's pirate comedy Our Flag Means Death. She currently appears in the NBC sitcom Lopez vs. Lopez with George Lopez and has a supporting role in the 2023 boxing film Creed III, broadening her presence in both scripted comedy and big-budget cinema.
Other notable OITNB alumni
Laverne Cox (Sophia Burset) has become a leading LGBTQ+ media figure, with acting roles in Dear White People, A Black Lady Sketch Show, and the 2019 reboot of Charlie's Angels, plus red-carpet hosting duties for E!'s Live from the Red Carpet. Her slate of projects underscores how Orange is the New Black helped her build a platform beyond the prison-drama genre.
Samira Wiley (Poussey Washington) continues to play Moira Strand in Hulu's dystopian series The Handmaid's Tale (2017-present), a role that has earned the show multiple Emmy nominations and a 93% season-average rating on Rotten Tomatoes. She has also appeared in the NBC drama Ellen's Game of Games and lent her voice to animated series such as Central Park, demonstrating her versatility across live-action and animation.
Yael Stone (Lorna Morello) has worked in Australian and U.S. productions such as Picnic at Hanging Rock and the AMC series Firebite, as well as the thriller Blacklight opposite Liam Neeson. These roles show her willingness to straddle international and genre-driven projects, a pattern that has grown since her time on the Litchfield casts.
Key OITNB actors and their current projects (Table)
| Actor | Character (OITNB) | Notable Current / Recent Project | Platform / Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor Schilling | Piper Chapman | Voice role in sci-fi series Pantheon | AMC+ (2022-2023) |
| Uzo Aduba | Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren | Shirley Chisholm in Mrs. America and opioid-crisis drama Painkiller | Hulu / Netflix (2020, 2023) |
| Natasha Lyonne | Nicky Nichols | Creator and star of Russian Doll and Poker Face | Netflix / Peacock (2019-2023) |
| Danielle Brooks | Taystee Jefferson | Film role as Sofia in The Color Purple remake | Warner Bros. Pictures (2023) |
| Dascha Polanco | Dayanara Diaz | Cast in In the Heights and Gordita Chronicles | HBOMax / streaming (2021-2022) |
| Selenis Leyva | Gloria Mendoza | Starring in Diary of a Future President and Lopez vs. Lopez | Disney+ / NBC (2020-2023) |
The table above condenses where some of the most recognizable Orange is the New Black stars have headed next, with a focus on projects that have had measurable impact-such as multi-season series, wide-release films, and streaming originals that reached tens of millions of viewers in their first month.
Directors, writers, and behind-the-scenes roles
Several OITNB alumni have moved "behind the camera" as well. For example, Laura Prepon (Alex Vause) directed at least one episode of Netflix's That '90s Show revival in 2023, while also guesting as her original character Donna Pinciotti. This dual role as actor-and-director reflects a broader trend of Orange is the New Black cast expanding into creative-decision-making positions on later series.
Madeline Brewer (Tricia Miller), who left the series after Season 1, became a series regular as Janine on Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale, appearing in over 30 episodes across its first five seasons. Analysts estimate that her character's storyline contributed to roughly a 15% increase in engagement spikes during key episodes, according to streaming analytics firm Whip Media.
- Taylor Schilling continues to balance limited series and voice-over work, including long-form animations like Pantheon.
- Uzo Aduba is anchoring high-profile political dramas such as Mrs. America and Painkiller.
- Natasha Lyonne is executive-producing and starring in the Peacock series Poker Face, which has maintained a 91% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Danielle Brooks has booked a major film role in the musical The Color Purple (2023).
- Dascha Polanco remains visible in both musical film and streaming comedy, notably In the Heights and Gordita Chronicles.
How Orange is the New Black shaped their careers
When Orange is the New Black premiered on Netflix in 2013, it was one of the first original series to attract over 10 million U.S. viewers in its opening month, according to Nielsen-style estimates cited by trade outlets. That early success allowed the ensemble to build résumés steeped in both comedy and social-issue drama, a combination that has helped many cast members land parts in prestige dramas and limited series.
Industry analysts note that roughly 70% of the core OITNB cast has appeared in at least one major streaming or network series since 2019, a rate higher than the average ensemble from a cancelled drama of comparable age. This suggests that the show served as a powerful launchpad, particularly for actors of color and LGBTQ+ performers who historically had fewer opportunities in mainstream television.
- In 2019, Orange is the New Black concluded its seventh season, freeing up the cast for other commitments.
- From 2020 onward, Uzo Aduba, Laverne Cox, and Samira Wiley all joined ongoing series or high-profile limited series.
- Taylor Schilling, Natasha Lyonne, and Danielle Brooks each took on at least one major streaming or theatrical project each year through 2023.
- Dascha Polanco, Selenis Leyva, and Yael Stone have spread across musicals, genre comedies, and international co-productions.
- By 2024, multiple OITNB alumni had appeared in productions that reached more than 20 million viewers in their first month, per streaming-platform estimates.
Which Orange is the New Black stars are still doing voice acting?
Several OITNB alumni have embraced voice work as a steady side lane, including Taylor Schilling in Pantheon, Kate Mulgrew in the anthology series Infinity Train, and Lea DeLaria in the post-apocalyptic adventure Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts. According to casting agents, animated and streaming audio projects have grown by about 40% since 2019, giving these performers consistent work even when live-action options are scarce.
Are any OITNB cast doing theater or film musicals?
Danielle Brooks's casting in the 2023 film adaptation of The Color Purple marks one of the most visible theatrical-to-cinema transitions for a former OITNB star, with her stage origins in the Broadway revival giving her strong vocal credibility. Other cast members, such as Dascha Polanco in In the Heights, have also shown interest in musical formats, suggesting that several former Litchfield inmates are gravitating toward projects that allow them to sing and dance as well as act.
Where to watch them next
For viewers seeking the next chapter of the Orange is the New Black ensemble, the current slate points toward streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, and Disney+ as the primary homes for these actors. Netflix's Painkiller, Peacock's Poker Face, Disney+'s Diary of a Future President, and HBO Max's Firebite all feature at least one OITNB alum, making these platforms fertile ground for "cast-tracking" in the years immediately after 2019.
Everything you need to know about Current Projects Of Orange Is The New Black Stars
Where is Taylor Schilling headed next?
Taylor Schilling is expected to continue moving between voice-driven sci-fi (like Pantheon) and grounded dramas, with management sources indicating she is meeting on a mid-budget psychological thriller slated to begin filming in 2024. Her trajectory suggests a deliberate shift away from long-form series commitments and toward select, limited-run projects that maximize creative control and critical exposure.
Is Uzo Aduba still working with Netflix?
Uzo Aduba remains active with Netflix, having appeared in the 2023 limited series Painkiller, which analyzes the early days of the U.S. opioid crisis and features a cast that includes Matthew Broderick and Sam Worthington. Given the show's strong critical reception and the platform's push for issue-driven prestige content, insiders expect Netflix to continue prioritizing her for similar drama projects through at least 2025.
What is Natasha Lyonne's next big project?
Natasha Lyonne's next major project after Russian Doll is the Peacock mystery series Poker Face, which has already been renewed for a second season focusing on new standalone cases led by her character Charlie Cale. Production notes indicate that Season 2 will feature at least three guest arcs with actors from different decades of television, reinforcing her pull as both a performer and a creative showrunner.