‘Orange is the New Black’ gets a three-season pickup
In a display of support not seen all that often by TV or even by the world’s top streaming destination, Netflix has handed “Orange is the New Black” a three-year renewal. Netflix also announced a fourth season launch date: June 17.
“Three more years! Not quite a political term, but still plenty of time to do some interesting things,” said showrunner Jenji Kohan in a statement. Netflix added that Kohan is “committed” to staying with the series for the three additional season, -- 5, 6 and 7.
That’s a key point because hit shows do sometimes -- if not oftentimes -- continue without the original showrunner. “OITNB” has long since moved beyond the original source material -- Piper Kerman’s memoir of the same name -- so keeping Kohan was essential to this new pact.
The outstanding question -- how much of the core cast will remain? Netflix didn’t address contracts (those rarely are addressed) but the assumption is that three more years means that the core cast members won’t be getting their parole from Litchfield anytime soon, while newcomers will certainly be joining them.