Top 5 Surprising Facts About Orange is the New Black

#5: Crazy Eyes Wasn't Supposed to Be a Major Character

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Uzo Aduba, who portrays Suzanne Warren–better known as Crazy Eyes–was only set to appear in two episodes of the first season of “Orange is the New Black”. This many seasons into the series, however, it’s clear that this show just wouldn’t be the same without her endearing, yet slightly deranged character. Crazy Eyes is actually one of the many characters in the show loosely based on a real inmate that Piper Kerman lived with during her time in prison, and ends up being an integral part of Orange is the New Black’s first season. Litchfield Penitentiary without “the Time Hump Chronicles” or Suzanne’s earnest longing to be accepted by the other inmates? No thank you!

Taylor Schilling clearly owns her role as the privileged and neurotic Piper Chapman. But did you know that another “Orange is the New Black” star tried out to play her? Laura Prepon originally auditioned for the part, but the casting director thought that she was too confident for the role, since viewers had to be able to worry about Piper and truly believe her to be out of her element in prison. However, the producers were so impressed with Prepon, that they ended up tailoring the role of Alex with her in mind. The chemistry between Prepon and Schilling is undeniably an essential element in making this show the hit that it is.

Natasha Lyonne plays everyone’s favorite Litchfield addict on the show, but did you know that the character was inspired by Lyonne herself? Like Nicky, Natasha has struggled with heroin addiction, which led her to need open-heart surgery following a drug-induced infection. The scar that Nicky reveals in season 1 is not the work of a skilled makeup artist, but rather the real scar from Natasha Lyonne’s own surgery. Lyonne portrays Nicky’s periods of addiction and withdrawal so convincingly, it comes as no surprise that she is, in fact, drawing from real life experiences. Thankfully, Lyonne has recovered from her troubled past. As for her character Nicky however, only time will tell.

When you’re watching a dozen episodes back to back, you probably skip over the show’s opening credits, which have earned themselves special attention online for being notoriously long by modern standards. But did you know that the eyes and mouths flashing across the screen belong to real, formerly incarcerated women? According to the creators, the goal of the credits was to make it clear that the show would be focusing on more than just the upper middle class “WASP-y” main character. And if you pay close attention, you can see the real Piper, writer Piper Kerman, near the end of the sequence. Blink and you’ll miss it, but she’s the one who blinks.

Ever wonder how the actor who played Sophia in her flashbacks was so convincing? Well, when the show’s creators were looking for someone to portray trans inmate Sophia before her transition, they auditioned tons of men without success. Then, they discovered that Laverne Cox, who plays Sophia, has an identical twin brother. The casting director insisted that he audition, and clearly acting talent runs in the family, as in the end, he was offered the part. Laverne Cox is famous not just as an actress, but also as an outspoken activist and advocate for the trans community. She is also the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy in an acting category. Do you agree with our list? What “Orange is the New Black” fact do you find the most surprising? For more heartwarming top 10s and fascinating top 5s, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.