Honestly, if you’re staring at your Netflix home screen wondering if you missed a secret drop, you aren't alone. It’s been years since we first saw Piper Chapman trade her artisanal soaps for a khaki jumpsuit, but the questions about how many seasons of Orange Is the New Black there actually are still pop up constantly.
Maybe it’s because the show was so massive that it felt like it would just go on forever. Or maybe it’s because the finale left such a dent in our collective psyche that we’re all just subconsciously waiting for more.
The short answer? There are seven seasons. That’s it. No more, no less.
The Seven-Season Run of Litchfield
Lionsgate and Netflix didn't just pull a random number out of a hat. When the show premiered back in 2013, it was a pioneer. It was basically the reason we all started saying "binge-watch." Over those seven seasons, we got exactly 91 episodes of drama, heartbreak, and some of the weirdest dark comedy to ever hit a streaming service.
Each season consists of 13 episodes. It’s a very consistent structure that Jenji Kohan, the show's creator, stuck to from the very first drop in July 2013 until the final emotional goodbye in July 2019.
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If you’re counting, that’s 91 hours (give or take a few long-form finales) of life in Litchfield.
Why the Confusion About More Seasons?
People often think there’s an eighth season or a hidden spinoff. There isn't. Not yet, anyway. The confusion usually stems from a few different things:
- The "Orange Is the New Black" sequel rumors: Back in 2018, Kevin Beggs, the chairman of Lionsgate TV Group, mentioned they were in "discussions" for a potential sequel. This sent the internet into a tailspin. Fans started manifesting an eighth season that never actually materialized.
- The "Farewell Show": Netflix released a special featurette titled The Farewell Show and The Final Bow. If you see these in your feed, they might look like extra content, but they’re really just behind-the-scenes tributes to the cast.
- Memoir vs. Show: Since the show is based on Piper Kerman’s real-life memoir, some people expect the story to continue into her life post-prison in a scripted way. While the show does cover her release, it stays firmly within the seven-season boundary.
What Each Season Actually Covered
Let's be real—some seasons were definitely better than others.
Season 1 was the hook. It was fish-out-of-water territory. Piper enters Litchfield, meets "Crazy Eyes" (Uzo Aduba), and realizes her ex-girlfriend Alex Vause is in the same prison. It was fresh and funny.
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Season 2 and 3 expanded the world. We stopped caring only about Piper and started obsessing over Taystee, Poussey, and Red. This is where the show really found its soul.
Season 4 and 5 were... intense. Season 4 gave us one of the most devastating deaths in TV history (RIP Poussey), which led directly into the three-day riot that took up the entirety of Season 5. Some fans felt the pacing in Season 5 was a bit "off" because the whole season only spanned 72 hours of real-time, but it was bold.
Season 6 and 7 shifted the vibe completely. The inmates were moved to Maximum Security. The colors changed, the stakes got higher, and the ending—well, it wasn't exactly a "happily ever after" for everyone.
Will There Ever Be a Season 8?
As of 2026, there is no official confirmation of a Season 8.
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That being said, the "sequel" talk hasn't completely died. Because Lionsgate actually owns the show (they just licensed it to Netflix), they have the power to revive it elsewhere if they wanted to. Jenji Kohan has been busy with other projects, like GLOW, but the door isn't locked—it's just very much closed for now.
There have been fan theories about a prequel focusing on young Barb and Carol (the terrifying sisters from Season 6) or even a spinoff following Alex and Piper's life in Ohio. But honestly? Most purists think it’s better left alone. The ending was definitive.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Rewatch
If you're planning on diving back into the 91-episode marathon, here’s how to do it right:
- Watch for the "Easter Eggs": The real Piper Kerman actually appears in the opening credits and makes a cameo in the series finale.
- Pay Attention to the Theme Song: Regina Spektor wrote "You've Got Time" specifically for the show. If you listen closely, the lyrics actually change slightly in the final season to reflect the "end of time" for the inmates' stories.
- Don't Skip Season 5: Even if the "riot season" feels slow at first, it contains some of the best character work for Cindy and Taystee. It’s crucial for understanding why Season 7 hits so hard.
Ultimately, the journey of Litchfield is a closed book. Seven seasons, 91 episodes, and a whole lot of orange. If you’re looking for more, your best bet is to pick up Piper Kerman's original book or follow the cast—many of whom, like Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll) and Danielle Brooks, have gone on to do incredible things.
Go ahead and start your rewatch from Season 1, Episode 1. Just make sure you have tissues ready for the end of Season 4. You’ve been warned.