Orange Is the New Black, a comedy-drama series created by Jenji Kohan, premiered on Netflix in 2013 and concluded in 2019 after seven seasons. The show is based on Piper Kerman's memoir about her year spent in a minimum-security federal prison, FCI Danbury. Produced by Tilted Productions and Lionsgate Television, the series follows Piper's experiences and interactions with other inmates within the prison system.
1970: Filming Location Built
The building used as the primary filming location for the series was completed in 1970.
2010: Filming Location Closed
The Rockland Children's Psychiatric Center, where the series was filmed, closed in 2010.
2010: Piper Kerman's Memoir Published
In 2010, Piper Kerman's memoir, "Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison," was published.
July 2011: Netflix and Lionsgate Negotiations
In July 2011, Netflix and Lionsgate began negotiations for a 13-episode adaptation of Kerman's memoir.
November 2011: Series Greenlit
In November 2011, Netflix officially greenlit the production of "Orange Is the New Black."
August 2012: Casting Begins
Casting for "Orange Is the New Black" began in August 2012, with Taylor Schilling and Jason Biggs being the first actors cast.
March 7, 2013: Filming Begins
Filming for "Orange Is the New Black" commenced on March 7, 2013, at the former Rockland Children's Psychiatric Center in New York.
June 27, 2013: Season 2 Renewal
On June 27, 2013, "Orange Is the New Black" was renewed for a second season.
July 11, 2013: Orange Is the New Black Premieres
On July 11, 2013, "Orange Is the New Black," based on Piper Kerman's memoir, premiered on Netflix.
August 19, 2013: New Zealand Broadcast Premiere
"Orange Is the New Black" premiered on broadcast television in New Zealand on August 19, 2013.
October 9, 2013: Australian Broadcast Premiere
The series premiered in Australia on October 9, 2013.
October 2013: Netflix Declares Orange Is the New Black a "Tremendous Success"
In October 2013, Netflix announced that Orange Is the New Black was exceeding expectations in viewership, surpassing other popular originals like House of Cards and Arrested Development. The streaming giant projected it would be their most-watched original series by the year's end.
2013: AFI Award and Golden Globe Nomination
In 2013, "Orange Is the New Black" was recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the Top 10 Television Programs of the Year, and Taylor Schilling received a Golden Globe nomination.
May 5, 2014: Season 3 Renewal
"Orange Is the New Black" was renewed for a third season on May 5, 2014.
July 16, 2014: Australian Season 2 Premiere
The second season of the show premiered in Australia on July 16, 2014.
April 15, 2015: Season 4 Renewal
On April 15, 2015, the series was renewed for a fourth season.
June 11, 2015: Australian Season 3 Premiere
Season 3 of "Orange Is the New Black" premiered in Australia on June 11, 2015.
2015: Emmy Win and Golden Globe/SAG Nominations
In 2015, Uzo Aduba won an Emmy Award, and the series received Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations.
2015: Emmy Category Change
In 2015, a new Emmy rule forced "Orange Is the New Black" to switch categories from comedy to drama. The show also garnered several Emmy nominations, with Uzo Aduba winning for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
February 5, 2016: Seasons 5, 6, and 7 Renewal
On February 5, 2016, Netflix renewed "Orange Is the New Black" for three additional seasons.
February 2016: Orange Is the New Black Remains Netflix's Most-Watched Original Series
As of February 2016, Orange Is the New Black continued to hold its position as Netflix's most popular original series. A New York Times study also revealed the show's popularity in urban areas and its predominantly white viewership despite its diverse cast.
2016: Series Becomes Netflix's Most-Watched
By 2016, "Orange Is the New Black" became Netflix's most-watched and longest-running original series.
April 2017: Season 5 Leak
In April 2017, a cybercriminal leaked the first ten episodes of Season 5 online.
April 19, 2017: UK Broadcast Premiere
The series premiered on UK broadcast television on April 19, 2017.
June 2017: Season 5 Official Release
Season 5 of "Orange is the New Black" was officially released by Netflix in June 2017.
January 15, 2018: Ireland Broadcast Premiere
"Orange Is the New Black" premiered in Ireland on January 15, 2018.
October 17, 2018: Final Season Announcement
On October 17, 2018, Netflix announced that the seventh season of "Orange Is the New Black" would be its last.
2018: Sequel Discussions
Discussions about a potential sequel to "Orange Is the New Black" began in 2018.
July 26, 2019: Final Season Released
On July 26, 2019, the seventh and final season of "Orange Is the New Black" was released on Netflix.
2019: Ranked on "The Guardian's" 100 Best TV Shows
In 2019, "Orange Is the New Black" was ranked 58th on The Guardian's list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st century.