You know it’s based on a book, you know it’s set in a women’s prison, you know it’s won heaps of of awards, but did you know these twelve things about Orange is the New Black?
1. Laura Prepon (Alex Vause) auditioned for the role of Piper Chapman.
2. Uzo Aduba read for the part of Janae Watson, but was offered the part of Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren instead.
3. The opening theme, You’ve Got Time, was written especially for the show, by Regina Spektor.
4. Real former prisoners are used in the opening credits, including Piper Kerman, who wrote the memoir upon which the show is based.
5. Laverne Cox’s twin brother plays a pre-transition Sophia Burset.
6. Jodie Foster has directed two episodes: the third episode of Season One, and the Season Two premiere.
7. Beth Fowler, who plays Sister Jane Ingalls, was a sister before – in Sister Act and its sequel!
8. Before Orange is the New Black, Taylor Schilling (Piper Chapman) was the star of medical drama Mercy. Her OITNB co-star, Kate Mulgrew (Red Reznikova) also appeared on the show.
9. Show creator Jenji Kohan penned an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, back in 1994.
10. Dascha Polanco, who plays Daya Diaz, is only two years younger than Elizabeth Rodriguez, the actress who plays her mother.
11. A few name are different in the book: Red is actually Pop, and Taystee is Delicious.
12. Danielle Brooks (Taystee Jefferson) and Samira Wiley (Poussey Washington) attended Juilliard at the same time.
Watch Orange is the New Black Season 4 Express from the U.S. every Sunday at 01:00 from 19 June, and in prime time every Wednesday at 21:00 from 22 June, on M-Net Edge.