Is Orange Is the New Black Based on a True Story? Ending Explained
by Rubaditsha
Updated Apr 12, 2023
Is Orange Is the New Black based on a True Story?
Yes, "Orange Is the New Black" is based on a true story. The series was inspired by the memoir of Piper Kerman, who spent 13 months in a women's prison for her involvement in a drug trafficking and money laundering operation. Kerman's 2010 book "Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison" provided the foundation for what became the hit Netflix series. The show follows Piper Chapman, played by Taylor Schilling, who is sentenced to 15 months in a fictional penitentiary, Litchfield Penitentiary, after being caught helping her ex-girlfriend, Alex (Laura Prepon), transport money from a drug-smuggling operation. While the show features an ensemble cast of female inmates, prison employees, and civilian loved ones, Piper remains the central character. However, while the show drew inspiration from Kerman's memoir, it does take some creative liberties with the story.
For example, while Piper in the show is reunited with her ex-girlfriend in prison, the real Piper was not in the same prison as her ex. Additionally, many relationships and interactions with other inmates were embellished for the show. The inmates Kerman interacted with in prison were actually quite welcoming, and many of the characters in the show were inspired by real-life people Kerman met during her time behind bars. Despite the changes from page to screen, both the fictional and real Piper's stories had the same message -- women's prisons in the US are in major need of some significant reforms. Kerman became an advocate for women's rights in the American prison system after her release, often speaking out on their behalf at hearings and lectures.
What is Orange Is the New Black based on?
Orange Is the New Black aired for seven years, and eventually veered away from the original source material. The show's main character, Piper, based on the real-life Piper Kerman, did fall in love with a woman involved in a drug ring and was sent to prison as a result. While the show focuses heavily on Piper's reunion with her ex-girlfriend in prison, in reality, Kerman and her ex only saw each other during their trial and were not incarcerated in the same facility. The show's portrayal of relationships and interactions between inmates was exaggerated for dramatic effect, whereas Kerman found the women she met during her time in prison to be welcoming. The show's finale suggests that prison changed Piper, and in real life, Kerman became an advocate for women's rights in the American prison system. While the show's depiction of Kerman's story was embellished, both the fictional and real Piper's experiences shed light on the need for reform in the US women's prison system.
Who is Orange Is the New Black based on?
"Orange Is the New Black" is a TV series that was created by Jenji Kohan and is based on the memoir of the same name by Piper Kerman. The memoir chronicles Kerman's experiences in a minimum-security federal prison after she was convicted of a drug-related offense. The TV series follows the same basic premise, although it deviates from the source material in many ways and features a much larger and more diverse cast of characters.
Orange Is the New Black Ending Explained
The ending of "Orange Is the New Black" is a mix of bittersweet and hopeful moments for the characters who we have grown to love and hate throughout the series. Here's a breakdown of what happened in the final season and how the show wrapped up:
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
In the last season, we see Piper (played by Taylor Schilling) adjusting to life outside of prison and trying to figure out her next steps. She struggles to find a job and feels disconnected from her old friends, who are all still serving time. Meanwhile, Taystee (played by Danielle Brooks) is dealing with the aftermath of being wrongfully convicted of murder and facing a life sentence. As the season progresses, Piper starts volunteering at a local center for formerly incarcerated women and becomes increasingly involved in advocating for criminal justice reform. Taystee also finds a new sense of purpose when she starts working at the same center and helps other women who are getting out of prison. In the final episode, we see a number of the main characters being released from prison, including Piper, Nicky (played by Natasha Lyonne), and Alex (played by Laura Prepon).
There are emotional goodbyes between the women, who have become like family over the years, and we get to see glimpses of what their lives look like on the outside. Piper ends up moving in with her brother and his wife, who are supportive of her as she figures out her next steps. She reconnects with Alex, and the two of them plan a trip to Amsterdam together. Taystee, meanwhile, is still serving her life sentence but finds comfort in helping other women who are getting out of prison. The final scene of the series shows Piper and Alex walking through an airport, hand in hand, as they board their flight to Amsterdam.
It's a bittersweet moment, as we know that Taystee and many of the other characters we've come to care about are still in prison, but it's also hopeful, as we see Piper and Alex moving forward with their lives and their relationship. Overall, the ending of "Orange Is the New Black" was a fitting conclusion to the series, bringing closure to the storylines of many of the characters while still highlighting the ongoing issues with the American criminal justice system.
Is Orange is the New Black based on a True Story - FAQs
"Orange Is the New Black" is based on the memoir of Piper Kerman, titled "Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison." The book details Kerman's experiences in a women's prison for her involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering.
While the show draws inspiration from Kerman's memoir, it does take some creative liberties with the story. For example, Piper in the show is reunited with her ex-girlfriend in prison, but the real Piper was not in the same prison as her ex. Additionally, many relationships and interactions with other inmates were embellished for the show. The inmates Kerman interacted with in prison were actually quite welcoming, and many of the characters in the show were inspired by real-life people Kerman met during her time behind bars.
The final season of "Orange Is the New Black" features a number of the main characters being released from prison, including Piper, Nicky, and Alex. Piper ends up moving in with her brother and his wife, while Taystee continues serving her life sentence but finds purpose in helping other women who are getting out of prison. The final scene of the series shows Piper and Alex walking through an airport, hand in hand, as they board their flight to Amsterdam.
The show, as well as the memoir it is based on, sheds light on the need for reform in the US women's prison system. Piper Kerman became an advocate for women's rights in the American prison system after her release, often speaking out on their behalf at hearings and lectures. The show also highlights the ongoing issues with the American criminal justice system.