Netflix obviously has faith in "Orange Is the New Black," having renewed the dramedy for a second season before Season 1 has even premiered.
Netflix confirms that "Orange" has been picked up for another 13 episodes, joining previous Netflix successes "Hemlock Grove," "House of Cards" and "Lilyhammer," which have all been given second seasons. Netflix has also reportedly been exploring the possibility of more "Arrested Development," despite previously downplaying the idea.
“Jenji and her team have produced a phenomenal series and we’re eager to get a second season to our viewers,” Cindy Holland, Vice President of Original Content at Netflix, said in a statement.
“I am thrilled that Netflix has extended my sentence,” said series creator and executive producer Jenji Kohan.
“We’re enormously proud of the brilliant work of Jenji, the cast and the entire production team,” said Kevin Beggs, president, Lionsgate Television Group, “and we’re delighted about this early second season renewal. Netflix has been a great partner on this series and we look forward to our continuing collaboration.”
The series hails from "Weeds" creator Jenji Kohan, based on the memoir by Piper Kerman. It follows Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), an engaged Brooklynite whose wild past comes back to haunt her, resulting in her arrest and detention in a federal penitentiary. To pay her debt to society, Piper trades her comfortable New York life with fiancé Larry (Jason Biggs) for an orange prison jumpsuit, and finds unexpected conflict and camaraderie amidst an eccentric group of inmates, including drug runner Alex (Laura Prepon), who is responsible for her incarceration. The series also stars Natasha Lyonne, Kate Mulgrew, Pablo Schreiber, Danielle Brooks, Laverne Cox and Taryn Manning.
Season 1 of "Orange Is the New Black" will premiere on Netflix in all territories where Netflix is available -– US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Latin America, Brazil and the Nordics -- on July 11 at 3:01 a.m. ET/12:01 a.m. PT.
