List of Orange Is the New Black characters

Updated: 11/6/2025, 12:16:03 AM Wikipedia source

Orange Is the New Black is an American comedy-drama series created by Jenji Kohan that airs on Netflix. It is based on Piper Kerman's memoir, Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison, which chronicles her experiences in a women's prison. The series' protagonist is Piper Chapman, a woman sentenced to 15 months in a women's federal prison for her part in a drug smuggling operation. She was led into this situation by her ex-girlfriend Alex Vause who is first seen in one of the opening scenes, which takes place ten years before the start of the first season. The series follows Piper's experiences in and out of prison along with the experiences of a diverse ensemble.

Tables

· Overview

Actor

Character

Seasons

Main cast

Actor

Main cast

Taylor Schilling

Actor

Taylor Schilling

Character

Piper Chapman

Seasons

Main

Laura Prepon

Actor

Laura Prepon

Character

Alex Vause

Seasons

Main

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Michael J. Harney

Actor

Michael J. Harney

Character

Sam Healy

Seasons

Main

Seasons

Credit only

Seasons

Guest

Michelle Hurst

Actor

Michelle Hurst

Character

Miss Claudette Pelage

Seasons

Main

Kate Mulgrew

Actor

Kate Mulgrew

Character

Galina "Red" Reznikov

Seasons

Main

Jason Biggs

Actor

Jason Biggs

Character

Larry Bloom

Seasons

Main

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Uzo Aduba

Actor

Uzo Aduba

Character

Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Danielle Brooks

Actor

Danielle Brooks

Character

Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Natasha Lyonne

Actor

Natasha Lyonne

Character

Nicky Nichols

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Taryn Manning

Actor

Taryn Manning

Character

Tiffany "Pennsatucky" Doggett

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Selenis Leyva

Actor

Selenis Leyva

Character

Gloria Mendoza

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Adrienne C. Moore

Actor

Adrienne C. Moore

Character

Cindy "Black Cindy" Hayes

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Dascha Polanco

Actor

Dascha Polanco

Character

Dayanara "Daya" Diaz

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Nick Sandow

Actor

Nick Sandow

Character

Joe Caputo

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Yael Stone

Actor

Yael Stone

Character

Lorna Morello

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Samira Wiley

Actor

Samira Wiley

Character

Poussey Washington

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Guest

Jackie Cruz

Actor

Jackie Cruz

Character

Marisol "Flaca" Gonzales

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Lea DeLaria

Actor

Lea DeLaria

Character

Carrie "Big Boo" Black

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Seasons

Guest

Elizabeth Rodriguez

Actor

Elizabeth Rodriguez

Character

Aleida Diaz

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Jessica Pimentel

Actor

Jessica Pimentel

Character

Maria Ruiz

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Laura Gómez

Actor

Laura Gómez

Character

Blanca Flores

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Matt Peters

Actor

Matt Peters

Character

Joel Luschek

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Dale Soules

Actor

Dale Soules

Character

Frieda Berlin

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Alysia Reiner

Actor

Alysia Reiner

Character

Natalie "Fig" Figueroa

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Main

Recurring cast

Actor

Recurring cast

Laverne Cox

Actor

Laverne Cox

Character

Sophia Burset

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Diane Guerrero

Actor

Diane Guerrero

Character

Maritza Ramos

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Recurring

Vicky Jeudy

Actor

Vicky Jeudy

Character

Janae Watson

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Annie Golden

Actor

Annie Golden

Character

Norma Romano

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Emma Myles

Actor

Emma Myles

Character

Leanne Taylor

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Julie Lake

Actor

Julie Lake

Character

Angie Rice

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Abigail Savage

Actor

Abigail Savage

Character

Gina Murphy

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Constance Shulman

Actor

Constance Shulman

Character

Erica "Yoga" Jones

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Lori Tan Chinn

Actor

Lori Tan Chinn

Character

Mei Chang

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Tamara Torres

Actor

Tamara Torres

Character

Emily Germann

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Lin Tucci

Actor

Lin Tucci

Character

Anita DeMarco

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Tanya Wright

Actor

Tanya Wright

Character

Crystal Burset

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Beth Fowler

Actor

Beth Fowler

Character

Sister Jane Ingalls

Seasons

Recurring

Catherine Curtin

Actor

Catherine Curtin

Character

Wanda Bell

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Joel Marsh Garland

Actor

Joel Marsh Garland

Character

Scott O'Neill

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Michael Chernus

Actor

Michael Chernus

Character

Cal Chapman

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Brendan Burke

Actor

Brendan Burke

Character

Wade Donaldson

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Deborah Rush

Actor

Deborah Rush

Character

Carol Chapman

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Berto Colon

Actor

Berto Colon

Character

Cesar Velazquez

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Tracee Chimo

Actor

Tracee Chimo

Character

Neri Feldman

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Recurring

Matt McGorry

Actor

Matt McGorry

Character

John Bennett

Seasons

Recurring

Lolita Foster

Actor

Lolita Foster

Character

Elique Maxwell

Seasons

Recurring

Pablo Schreiber

Actor

Pablo Schreiber

Character

George "Pornstache" Mendez

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Guest

Barbara Rosenblat

Actor

Barbara Rosenblat

Character

Rosa "Miss Rosa" Cisneros

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Maria Dizzia

Actor

Maria Dizzia

Character

Polly Harper

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Recurring

Lauren Lapkus

Actor

Lauren Lapkus

Character

Susan Fischer

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Nick Stevenson

Actor

Nick Stevenson

Character

Pete Harper

Seasons

Recurring

Kaipo Schwab

Actor

Kaipo Schwab

Character

Igme Dimaguiba

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Madeline Brewer

Actor

Madeline Brewer

Character

Tricia Miller

Seasons

Recurring

Kimiko Glenn

Actor

Kimiko Glenn

Character

Brook Soso

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Ian Paola

Actor

Ian Paola

Character

Yadriel

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Recurring

Germar Terrell Gardner

Actor

Germar Terrell Gardner

Character

Charles Ford

Seasons

Recurring

Hamilton Clancy

Actor

Hamilton Clancy

Character

Kowalski

Seasons

Recurring

Yvette Freeman

Actor

Yvette Freeman

Character

Irma Lerman

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Judith Roberts

Actor

Judith Roberts

Character

Erica Taslitz

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Guest

Lorraine Toussaint

Actor

Lorraine Toussaint

Character

Yvonne "Vee" Parker

Seasons

Recurring

Patricia Squire

Actor

Patricia Squire

Character

Jimmy Cavanaugh

Seasons

Recurring

James McMenamin

Actor

James McMenamin

Character

Charlie "Donuts" Coates

Seasons

Recurring

Karina Ortiz

Actor

Karina Ortiz

Character

Margarita

Seasons

Recurring

Michael Bryan French

Actor

Michael Bryan French

Character

Jack Pearson

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

John Magaro

Actor

John Magaro

Character

Vince Muccio

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Recurring

Blair Brown

Actor

Blair Brown

Character

Judy King

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Alan Aisenberg

Actor

Alan Aisenberg

Character

Baxter "Gerber" Bayley

Seasons

Recurring

Emily Althaus

Actor

Emily Althaus

Character

Maureen Kukudio

Seasons

Recurring

Jimmy Gary Jr.

Actor

Jimmy Gary Jr.

Character

Felix Rikerson

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Lori Petty

Actor

Lori Petty

Character

Lolly Whitehill

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Recurring

Mike Birbiglia

Actor

Mike Birbiglia

Character

Danny Pearson

Seasons

Recurring

Mugga

Actor

Mugga

Character

Reema Pell

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Ruby Rose

Actor

Ruby Rose

Character

Stella Carlin

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Eden Malyn

Actor

Eden Malyn

Character

Erin Sikowitz

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Jamie Denbo

Actor

Jamie Denbo

Character

Shelly Ginsberg

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Recurring

Danielle Herbert

Actor

Danielle Herbert

Character

Jeanie "Babs" Babson

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Recurring

Mary Steenburgen

Actor

Mary Steenburgen

Character

Delia Mendez-Powell

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Patricia Kalember

Actor

Patricia Kalember

Character

Marka Nichols

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Marsha Stephanie Blake

Actor

Marsha Stephanie Blake

Character

Berdie Rogers

Seasons

Recurring

Beth Dover

Actor

Beth Dover

Character

Linda Ferguson

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Daniella De Jesus

Actor

Daniella De Jesus

Character

Irene "Zirconia" Cabrera

Seasons

Recurring

Shannon Esper

Actor

Shannon Esper

Character

Alana Dwight

Seasons

Recurring

Emily Tarver

Actor

Emily Tarver

Character

Artesian McCullough

Seasons

Recurring

Mike Houston

Actor

Mike Houston

Character

Lee Dixon

Seasons

Recurring

Nick Dillenburg

Actor

Nick Dillenburg

Character

Ryder Blake

Seasons

Recurring

Rosal Colon

Actor

Rosal Colon

Character

Carmen "Ouija" Aziza

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Francesca Curran

Actor

Francesca Curran

Character

Helen "Skinhead Helen" Van Maele

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Brad William Henke

Actor

Brad William Henke

Character

Desi Piscatella

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Amanda Stephen

Actor

Amanda Stephen

Character

Alison Abdullah

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Kelly Kabarcz

Actor

Kelly Kabarcz

Character

Kasey Sankey

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Olivia Luccardi

Actor

Olivia Luccardi

Character

Jennifer Digori

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Asia Kate Dillon

Actor

Asia Kate Dillon

Character

Brandy Epps

Seasons

Recurring

Evan Hall

Actor

Evan Hall

Character

B. Stratman

Seasons

Recurring

Miriam Morales

Actor

Miriam Morales

Character

Ramona "Pidge" Contreras

Seasons

Recurring

Jolene Purdy

Actor

Jolene Purdy

Character

Stephanie Hapakuka

Seasons

Recurring

Arianda Fernandez

Actor

Arianda Fernandez

Character

Michelle Carreras

Seasons

Recurring

Michael Torpey

Actor

Michael Torpey

Character

Thomas Humphrey

Seasons

Recurring

Hunter Emery

Actor

Hunter Emery

Character

Rick Hopper

Seasons

Recurring

Mary Boyer

Actor

Mary Boyer

Character

Pat Warren

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Anita Keal

Actor

Anita Keal

Character

Elsie

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Richard Masur

Actor

Richard Masur

Character

Bill Montgomery

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

John Palladino

Actor

John Palladino

Character

Josh

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Gerrard Lobo

Actor

Gerrard Lobo

Character

Adarsh

Seasons

Recurring

Gita Reddy

Actor

Gita Reddy

Character

Nita Reddy

Seasons

Recurring

David Roberts

Actor

David Roberts

Character

D. Davis

Seasons

Recurring

Miguel Izaguirre

Actor

Miguel Izaguirre

Character

Diablo Zuniga

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Shirley Roeca

Actor

Shirley Roeca

Character

Juanita Vazquez

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Shawna Hamic

Actor

Shawna Hamic

Character

Virginia "Ginger" Copeland

Seasons

Recurring

Nicholas Webber

Actor

Nicholas Webber

Character

Alvarez

Seasons

Recurring

Susan Heyward

Actor

Susan Heyward

Character

Tamika Ward

Seasons

Recurring

Josh Segarra

Actor

Josh Segarra

Character

Stefanovic

Seasons

Recurring

Branden Wellington

Actor

Branden Wellington

Character

Jarod Young

Seasons

Recurring

Greg Vrotsos

Actor

Greg Vrotsos

Character

Hellman

Seasons

Recurring

Amanda Fuller

Actor

Amanda Fuller

Character

Madison "Badison" Murphy

Seasons

Recurring

Finnerty Steeves

Actor

Finnerty Steeves

Character

Beth Hoefler

Seasons

Recurring

Besanya Santiago

Actor

Besanya Santiago

Character

Raquel "Creech" Munoz

Seasons

Recurring

Christina Toth

Actor

Christina Toth

Character

Annalisa Damiva

Seasons

Recurring

Phumzile Sitole

Actor

Phumzile Sitole

Character

Antoinetta "Akers" Kerson

Seasons

Recurring

Alice Kremelberg

Actor

Alice Kremelberg

Character

Nicole Eckelcamp

Seasons

Recurring

Reema Sampat

Actor

Reema Sampat

Character

Shruti Chambal

Seasons

Recurring

Sipiwe Moyo

Actor

Sipiwe Moyo

Character

Adeola Chinede

Seasons

Recurring

Rebecca Knox

Actor

Rebecca Knox

Character

Tina Swope

Seasons

Recurring

Dana Berger

Actor

Dana Berger

Character

Crystal Tawney

Seasons

Recurring

Mandela Bellamy

Actor

Mandela Bellamy

Character

Rosalie Deitland

Seasons

Recurring

Marcia DeBonis

Actor

Marcia DeBonis

Character

Cathy

Seasons

Recurring

Jo Lampert

Actor

Jo Lampert

Character

Marie Brock

Seasons

Recurring

Alexander Wraith

Actor

Alexander Wraith

Character

Vasily Reznikov

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Vicci Martinez

Actor

Vicci Martinez

Character

Dominga "Daddy" Duarte

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Kana Hatakeyama

Actor

Kana Hatakeyama

Character

Charlene Teng

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Nedra McClyde

Actor

Nedra McClyde

Character

Sylvia Guillen

Seasons

Recurring

Seasons

Guest

Jason Altman

Actor

Jason Altman

Character

Herrmann

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Recurring

Henny Russell

Actor

Henny Russell

Character

Carol Denning

Seasons

Recurring

Mackenzie Phillips

Actor

Mackenzie Phillips

Character

Barbara "Barb" Denning

Seasons

Recurring

Bill Hoag

Actor

Bill Hoag

Character

Bill Chapman

Seasons

Guest

Seasons

Does not appear

Seasons

Recurring

Karina Arroyave

Actor

Karina Arroyave

Character

Karla Córdova

Seasons

Recurring

Marie Lou-Nahhas

Actor

Marie Lou-Nahhas

Character

Shani Abboud

Seasons

Recurring

Alysia Joy Powell

Actor

Alysia Joy Powell

Character

Wyndolyn Capers

Seasons

Recurring

Alicia Witt

Actor

Alicia Witt

Character

Zelda

Seasons

Recurring

Adam Lindo

Actor

Adam Lindo

Character

Carlos "Clitvack" Litvack

Seasons

Recurring

Ismenia Mendes

Actor

Ismenia Mendes

Character

Tali Grapes

Seasons

Recurring

Melinna Bobadilla

Actor

Melinna Bobadilla

Character

Santos Chaj

Seasons

Recurring

Mike Cabellon

Actor

Mike Cabellon

Character

Elmer Fantauzzo

Seasons

Recurring

Actor	Character	Seasons
		1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Main cast
Taylor Schilling	Piper Chapman	Main
Laura Prepon	Alex Vause	Main	Recurring	Main
Michael J. Harney	Sam Healy	Main				Credit only	Guest
Michelle Hurst	Miss Claudette Pelage	Main
Kate Mulgrew	Galina "Red" Reznikov	Main
Jason Biggs	Larry Bloom	Main				Guest		Recurring
Uzo Aduba	Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren	Recurring	Main
Danielle Brooks	Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson	Recurring	Main
Natasha Lyonne	Nicky Nichols	Recurring	Main
Taryn Manning	Tiffany "Pennsatucky" Doggett	Recurring	Main
Selenis Leyva	Gloria Mendoza	Recurring		Main
Adrienne C. Moore	Cindy "Black Cindy" Hayes	Recurring		Main
Dascha Polanco	Dayanara "Daya" Diaz	Recurring		Main
Nick Sandow	Joe Caputo	Recurring		Main
Yael Stone	Lorna Morello	Recurring		Main
Samira Wiley	Poussey Washington	Recurring		Main		Guest		Guest
Jackie Cruz	Marisol "Flaca" Gonzales	Recurring			Main
Lea DeLaria	Carrie "Big Boo" Black	Recurring			Main		Guest
Elizabeth Rodriguez	Aleida Diaz	Recurring			Main
Jessica Pimentel	Maria Ruiz	Recurring				Main
Laura Gómez	Blanca Flores	Recurring					Main
Matt Peters	Joel Luschek	Recurring					Main
Dale Soules	Frieda Berlin		Recurring				Main
Alysia Reiner	Natalie "Fig" Figueroa	Recurring			Guest	Recurring		Main
Recurring cast
Laverne Cox	Sophia Burset	Recurring						Guest
Diane Guerrero	Maritza Ramos	Recurring						Recurring
Vicky Jeudy	Janae Watson	Recurring						Guest
Annie Golden	Norma Romano	Recurring						Guest
Emma Myles	Leanne Taylor	Recurring						Guest
Julie Lake	Angie Rice	Recurring						Guest
Abigail Savage	Gina Murphy	Recurring						Guest
Constance Shulman	Erica "Yoga" Jones	Recurring						Guest
Lori Tan Chinn	Mei Chang	Recurring						Guest
Tamara Torres	Emily Germann	Recurring						Guest
Lin Tucci	Anita DeMarco	Recurring						Guest
Tanya Wright	Crystal Burset	Recurring					Guest
Beth Fowler	Sister Jane Ingalls	Recurring
Catherine Curtin	Wanda Bell	Recurring			Guest			Recurring
Joel Marsh Garland	Scott O'Neill	Recurring			Guest			Recurring
Michael Chernus	Cal Chapman	Recurring			Guest		Guest	Recurring
Brendan Burke	Wade Donaldson	Recurring			Guest
Deborah Rush	Carol Chapman	Recurring				Recurring		Guest
Berto Colon	Cesar Velazquez	Recurring				Guest		Recurring
Tracee Chimo	Neri Feldman	Recurring						Recurring
Matt McGorry	John Bennett	Recurring
Lolita Foster	Elique Maxwell	Recurring

References

Harney is credited as main cast in season five despite not appearing in any of the episodes.
Rodriguez is promoted to the main cast in the seventh episode of season four. In all prior appearances in season four, s
Weeds
https://deadline.com/2011/07/netflix-eyeing-second-original-series-comedy-from-weeds-creator-jenji-kohan-149314/
Refinery29
https://www.refinery29.com/2015/06/88836/orange-is-the-new-black-season-3-binge-watching-guide#.xvdzzp:8eAJ
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/orange-is-new-black-star-dascha-polanco-reveals-dayas-fate-1227901
"Orange Is the New Black's Yael Stone on Lorna's Sad and Disturbing Backstory"
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/celebrity/exclusive/orange-is-the-new-black-yael-stone-lorna-morello-interview
Orange Is the New Black'
https://www.vulture.com/2014/06/why-orange-is-the-new-blacks-flaca-is-important.html
Cosmopolitan
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/news/a42395/jackie-cruz-flaca-oitnb-season-3-interview/
TVLine
http://tvline.com/2016/06/21/orange-is-the-new-black-season-4-finale-recap-episode-12-13-poussey-dies-dead/
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/orange-is-new-black-danielle-brooks-final-season-series-finale-1229156
Robinson, Joanna. "Orange Is the New Black Just Made All Other TV Deaths This Year Look Cheap." Vanity Fair. June 20, 20
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/06/orange-is-the-new-black-death
Vilkomerson, Sara. "Orange Is the New Black actress on shocking season 4 scene." Entertainment Weekly. June 20, 2016. Re
https://www.ew.com/article/2016/06/20/orange-new-black-poussey
Bell, Crystal. "Orange Is The New Black’s Heartbreaking Death Will Change Litchfield As We Know It." MTV. June 21, 2016.
https://web.archive.org/web/20160622125942/http://www.mtv.com/news/2895219/orange-is-the-new-black-death-season-4/
Fernandez, Maria Elena. "Orange Is the New Black’s Samira Wiley on Poussey’s Devastating Scene, Black Lives Matter, and
https://www.vulture.com/2016/06/poussey-orange-is-the-new-black-samira-wiley-black-lives-matter.html
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/21/arts/television/orange-is-the-new-black-poussey-death-samira-wiley-oitnb.html
CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/26/entertainment/oitnb-poussey-washington-fund/index.html
"How the Orange is the New Black inmates ended up in prison ." The Daily Telegraph. June 22, 2016. Retrieved on July 1,
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/on-demand/0/how-each-orange-is-the-new-black-inmate-ended-up-in-prison/maria-ruizplayed-by-jessica-pimentelcrime-probably-drugs-related/
"'OITNB' Star on Maria's "Stomach-Turning" Revenge on Piper: "I Hope People Were Horrified"." The Hollywood Reporter. Ju
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/orange-is-new-black-maria-piper-nazi-branding-906797