Orange Is the New Black (2013)

Kernel Score: 85% · 2,751 ratings

Genres: Drama, Comedy, Crime

First aired: 2013-07-11

Seasons: 7 · 91 episodes

Is Orange Is the New Black worth watching?

Worth watching. A funny, humane women's-prison dramedy with a big, diverse cast and storylines that go beyond its privileged narrator. The early seasons are the strongest, and it gets darker and messier later.

Watch it if you

  • like character-driven dramedies
  • enjoy big ensemble casts
  • want something that mixes humour with real social issues

Skip it if you

  • want a gritty, realistic prison drama
  • dislike shows that wander over many seasons

Best for: Binge weekend

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Orange Is the New Black

  • Stream: Netflix
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango At Home

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

A crime she committed in her youthful past sends Piper Chapman to a women's prison, where she trades her comfortable New York life for one of unexpected camaraderie and conflict in an eccentric group of fellow inmates.

Orange Is the New Black parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that Orange Is the New Black is a TV-MA prison dramedy with mature content including sexual relationships and dark comedy.

  • Violence & scariness: Some — Prison-set drama includes conflict and tension typical of incarcerated life.
  • Sex, romance & nudity: Moderate — Includes a lesbian relationship storyline and mature sexual content consistent with its TV-MA rating.
  • Language: Moderate — Strong language throughout, consistent with its TV-MA rating.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official TV-MA rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Shows like Orange Is the New Black

If you liked Orange Is the New Black, these are the shows we'd watch next.

  • Wentworth (2013) — 88%: Grittier women's prison drama with strong characters.
  • Oz (1997) — 88%: Hard-edged prison drama with a big ensemble.
  • The Night Of (2016) — 89%: Sober look at prison and the justice system.
  • The L Word (2004) — 87%: Ensemble drama centred on women's lives and relationships.
  • Why Women Kill (2019) — 87%: Dark comedy built on women's secrets and unexpected turns.
  • The End of the F***ing World (2017) — 90%: Darkly funny, offbeat story with outcast characters.

Cast

  • Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman
  • Laura Prepon as Alex Vause
  • Kate Mulgrew as Galina 'Red' Reznikov
  • Natasha Lyonne as Nicky Nichols
  • Selenis Leyva as Gloria Mendoza
  • Elizabeth Rodriguez as Aleida Diaz
  • Dascha Polanco as Dayanara Diaz
  • Danielle Brooks as Tasha 'Taystee' Jefferson
  • Uzo Aduba as Suzanne 'Crazy Eyes' Warren
  • Nick Sandow as Joe Caputo

Orange Is the New Black FAQ

Is Orange Is the New Black worth watching?

Worth watching. A funny, humane women's-prison dramedy with a big, diverse cast and storylines that go beyond its privileged narrator. The early seasons are the strongest, and it gets darker and messier later.

Where can I watch Orange Is the New Black?

In the US you can stream Orange Is the New Black on Netflix and buy it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Fandango At Home.

Is Orange Is the New Black OK for kids?

Orange Is the New Black is rated TV-MA. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Orange Is the New Black is a TV-MA prison dramedy with mature content including sexual relationships and dark comedy.

What shows are like Orange Is the New Black?

If you liked Orange Is the New Black, try Wentworth, Oz, The Night Of and The L Word.