The usual pattern for popular premium TV shows is that a network will renew the show for another season, usually right before the new one begins, or just as it gets underway. But as Netflix has shown time and again, the only rules they play by are their own.
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This morning the streaming service has announced that they’ve renewed "Orange Is The Black" for three more seasons, with Jenji Kohan remaining as the showrunner and executive producer. While Netflix famously doesn’t release the data viewership on their programming, it’s probably safe to say that in addition to being a critical and audience darling, there are plenty of plenty watching the dramedy that they want to keep this show around for as long as possible. It’s a tremendous vote of confidence, and certainly big news for fans of the show.
Season four of "Orange Is The New Black" premieres on June 17th. Check out the full press release below.
“Jenji and her team have produced a phenomenal and impactful series that is both funny and dramatic, outrageous and heartfelt. Audiences around the world have come to love the ladies and men of Orange is the New Black, and we are eager to see where three more seasons will take them,” said Cindy Holland, Vice President of Original Content at Netflix.
“Three more years! Not quite a political term, but still plenty of time to do some interesting things. In some cultures, ‘May you lead an interesting life,’ is a curse, but I don’t live in those cultures,” said series creator and executive producer Jenji Kohan. “Here’s to keeping it interesting. Thanks Netflix! Both thanks and you’re welcome Lionsgate! And kudos and gratitude to the stellar cast and crew and writers and producers and editors and musicians and mixers and shleppers… with whom I have the pride and honor of crafting this show. Three more years! Three more years!”
“We’re proud to continue our long-standing relationships with Netflix and the incredibly talented Jenji Kohan and delighted that one of the most acclaimed shows on television will continue on Netflix for three more seasons,” said Lionsgate Television Group Chairman Kevin Beggs. “Jenji’s brilliant creative vision and a truly amazing cast have catapulted Orange is the New Black to the forefront of the platinum age of television, and we’re pleased thatOrange fans around the world will be rewarded with another three seasons.”
The acclaimed hour-long series stars a diverse and award-winning ensemble of women including Taylor Schilling, Uzo Aduba, Kate Mulgrew, Laura Prepon, Laverne Cox, Dascha Polanco, Danielle Brooks, Selenis Leyva, Samira Wiley, Taryn Manning, Yael Stone, Jackie Cruz, Lea DeLaria, Adrienne C. Moore and Elizabeth Rodriguez, along with Michael Harney and Nick Sandow. The series is based on the best-selling memoir of the same name by Piper Kerman.