With 16 Emmy nominations and 4 wins in a seven-year journey, ‘Orange Is the New Black’ delivered a powerful season finale yet again. But that has simply left the fans wanting more. Is OITNB Season 8 happening? If yes, which actor is set to replace Laura Prepon as the bad-ass Alex Vause? Read on to find out.
Created by Jenji Kohan, ‘Orange Is the New Black’ is a prison drama series based on Piper Kerman’s 2010 memorabilia book “Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison”. The series premiered on Netflix in July 2013 and, after a 7 season run, aired its last season on 26 July 2019.
Highlights —
- ‘Orange Is the New Black’ Season 8 is happening
- ‘Orange Is the New Black’ Season 8: How will the journey unfold?
- Katie Holmes to replace Laura Prepon’s Alex Vause in OITNB Season 8
‘Orange Is the New Black’ Season 8 is happening
Back in 2013, ‘Orange Is the New Black’ was actually Netflix’s third original series and now, after completing 91 episodes, it stands as Netflix’s longest-running show.
The show is well known for its revolutionary choice of concepts and content that was perfectly in sync with the modern media landscape. Funny, emotionally-driven, sensitive- the show did a fine job in representing queer women, beyond their sexuality.
On October 17, 2018, Netflix announced that season 7 would be the final season. But, less than a month after the announcement was made, talks of a possible spinoff emerged.
In conversation with “The Hollywood Reporter”, Lionsgate Chairman Kevin Biggs revealed:
“Keep in mind we own that series and will be distributing it for years to come. We’re already in discussions and, when the timing is right, we’ll talk further with Jenji about a potential sequel”.
The show follows the lives and struggles of the colourful inmates of Litchfield Penitentiary, a minimum-security women’s federal prison in upstate New York.
Starring Taylor Schilling as the lead protagonist Piper Chapman and Laura Prepon as her love interest Alex Vause, the cast of the show also includes Natasha Lyonne, Kate Mulgrew, Taryn Manning, Uzo Aduba, Danielle Brooks, and others.
‘Orange Is the New Black’ Season 8: How will the journey unfold?
Season 7 ends with Piper choosing to hold on to Alex, leaving behind her old ties, and starting over with a “clean”, new life. We see her driving up to the Ohio State Penitentiary to visit her recently transferred wife Alex, looking happier than they have ever looked before.
Talking about Piper’s life after season 7, Taylor Schilling said, “This is a huge new chapter”.
The makers have been tight-lipped about the season 8 storyline, but the series’ fans have several theories. Some believe Alex Vause will emerge as the new lead protagonist and the season will explore her life with new inmates at the Ohio State Penitentiary.
While others have theorised that the series will continue to follow Piper Chapman leading her new life outside the prison and how owing to a twist of fate, she ends up in the prison again. OITNB fans can never get enough of the Litchfield universe. Either way, we are already hooked.
Katie Holmes to replace Laura Prepon’s Alex Vause in OITNB Season 8
When Laura Prepon was asked about her plans post-season 7, she expressed her wish to expand as a director. Prepon’s directorial showreel includes three episodes of ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and a YouTube series called ‘Neighbros’, which was also created and edited by her.
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In conversation with “CNET”, Prepon said, “Directing is a huge part of my career. People talk about how there are not enough female directors. But also there aren’t enough opportunities”.
If direction is on her mind, will she exit ‘Orange Is the New Black’ Season 8? There are reasons to believe so.
In November 2011, when the series was officially greenlit, Kohan had initially wanted to cast Katie Holmes in the role of Piper Chapman. But after several meetings and discussions, Holmes had turned down the opportunity because of other commitments. That is when Taylor Schilling was bagged for the iconic role of Piper. The rest is history.
Talking about Holmes, creator Jenji Kohan told “E! Online”, “I’m a big fan of hers. I met with her. But, she had other things to do”.
While promoting her film ‘The Giver’, Katie Holmes had also said that OITNB is one of her favourite shows. Does that mean our beloved Alex will get a new face? Neither the makers nor the network has confirmed anything yet, but statements from Prepon indicate a possible recasting.
Hinting at her exit, Prepon said in an interview with “The Hollywood Reporter“, “Taylor and I are great friends, but who knows when we’re going to be on camera together again? We were revelling in how special this whole journey has been”.
Be it with Prepon or Holmes, OITNB fans will be interested anyway if a revival is on the cards. But creators have to think twice before making any decision, as the sizzling chemistry between Schilling and Prepon was to die for. Will Katie Holmes be able to fill in the shoes of Laura Prepon’s Alex Vause? Tell us in the comments below!
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