Litchfield is a ghost town now. It has been years since the final gates closed on Netflix’s most disruptive show, yet the ripple effect is still hitting us in 2026. If you’re like me, you probably remember that first time you saw Piper Chapman stumble into prison with her "artisan bath salts" attitude. It felt like a fish-out-of-water comedy until, suddenly, it wasn't. It became a powerhouse of human stories that launched a dozen careers into the stratosphere.
You’ve seen them everywhere since. Seriously.
But staying power in Hollywood is a fickle beast. Some of the actress from Orange Is the New Black alumni didn't just stay relevant; they reshaped the industry. We aren't just talking about a few guest spots on procedurals. We're talking about Oscar nods, AI-driven film studios, and Broadway dominance.
Natasha Lyonne: The Industry Disruptor
Honestly, if you told me in 2013 that Nicky Nichols would eventually be running a generative AI film studio, I would have assumed you’d spent too much time in the SHU. Yet, here we are in 2026. Natasha Lyonne has spent the last few years proving she is a legitimate polymath. Between the cult-classic status of Russian Doll and the massive success of Poker Face, she’s become the go-to face for "smart, slightly disheveled genius."
She just revealed her latest project, Uncanny Valley, which is a total curveball. She’s directing and starring in this hybrid film that blends traditional live-action with AI-generated video. It’s controversial. People are talking. But that’s Lyonne for you—she’s never been one to play it safe. At the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, she was basically the life of the party, joking about how 2025 had "too much dopamine." She’s currently filming The Fantastic Four: First Steps for Marvel, too. From a prison jumpsuit to a superhero suit? That's quite the arc.
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Danielle Brooks: The New Standard
Then there is Danielle Brooks. To most, she’ll always be Taystee—the heart and soul of Litchfield. But in 2026, she is firmly established as an awards season staple. She’s actually co-hosting the Oscar nominations this year alongside Lewis Pullman. Think about that for a second.
Her transition to the big screen wasn't just a fluke. Her performance as Sofia in The Color Purple didn’t just get her an Oscar nomination; it redefined how people saw her range. Currently, she’s back on the small screen in Peacemaker as Leota Adebayo, proving she can do high-octane comedy just as well as Shakespeare in the Park. She’s also lending her voice to The Bad Guys 2, which is slated for an August 2026 release. Brooks has this way of commanding a room that feels effortless, but it’s clearly the result of a decade of grinding.
Uzo Aduba: The Leading Lady
Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren was supposed to be a two-episode character. That’s a real fact. The writers saw Uzo Aduba and realized they had a lightning bolt in a bottle. Fast forward to today, and Aduba is one of the few actors to win Emmys in both the drama and comedy categories for the same role.
In 2026, she is a prestige TV queen. She just wrapped The Residence for Netflix—a Shondaland murder mystery set in the White House—where she plays a detective named Cordelia Cupp. People are already buzzing about her 2026 Emmy chances. She’s also been heavy into the production side through her deal with CBS Studios, focusing on stories that give Black women the lead roles they’ve historically been denied.
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Taylor Schilling: Life After Piper
Taylor Schilling had the hardest job on that show. Being the "straight man" in a sea of eccentric characters often means you get the most flak from the audience. Piper was polarizing. People loved to hate her. But Schilling’s work since the show ended has been a masterclass in subtlety.
She’s recently moved away from the Hollywood noise, living in a sanctuary in the Hudson Valley. But she hasn't stopped working. You might have caught her in the Peacock hit Poker Face (reuniting with Lyonne, which we loved to see) or the Apple TV+ series Dear Edward. She’s currently gearing up for the independent film Queen of Bones, where she’ll star opposite Martin Freeman.
Why Their Success Still Matters
The show was a gamble. It was one of the first "streaming originals" that actually worked. Without the actress from Orange Is the New Black ensemble, Netflix might still be that company that mails you DVDs in red envelopes.
The impact wasn't just about the actors' bank accounts. It was about who we saw on screen. Laverne Cox didn't just play Sophia Burset; she became a face for trans rights on the cover of Time. Samira Wiley went from Poussey’s tragic ending to winning an Emmy for The Handmaid’s Tale.
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These women didn't just get famous. They became "the work."
If you’re looking to catch up with the Litchfield crew, here is the quick list of what to watch right now:
- Poker Face (Peacock): Catch Lyonne in her element and look for the Taylor Schilling guest spot.
- The Residence (Netflix): Watch Uzo Aduba basically solve a White House murder.
- Peacemaker (Max): See Danielle Brooks hold her own in the DC Universe.
- Pam & Tommy (Hulu): Check out Taylor Schilling’s transformation as Erica Gauthier.
The next step for any fan is to track the 2026 Oscar nominations on January 22nd. Watching Danielle Brooks announce the nominees will feel like a full-circle moment for anyone who remembers her sitting on a bunk bed in Litchfield, dreaming of something bigger.
Keep an eye on the indie film circuit this summer for Schilling’s Queen of Bones. It’s a folk horror flick, and based on the early whispers, it’s going to be a total departure from anything we've seen her do before. The Litchfield era is over, but the careers it sparked are just getting into their second act.