The series follows (Taylor Schilling), a privileged New Yorker sentenced to 15 months in prison for a decade-old crime of transporting drug money for her former girlfriend, Alex Vause (Laura Prepon). While initially centered on Piper’s "fish-out-of-water" experience, the show quickly evolved into an ensemble piece featuring a diverse cast of inmates:

(Uzo Aduba): A vulnerable and imaginative inmate whose performance earned multiple Emmy wins.

Beyond individual stories, OITNB is recognized for its unflinching look at the and complex social issues:

It examines how racial and cultural "tribes" provide community but also mirror societal segregation (e.g., "The Suburbs," "The Ghetto," and "Spanish Harlem").

A Peabody Award for its "funny and perceptive exploration of race, class, and power". AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more

Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2016, 2017).