10 Amazing Black Actresses in Orange is the New Black Drama Series

10 Amazing Black Actresses in Orange is the New Black Drama Series

Orange is the New Black has been the most-watched original comedy-drama series and the best-loved show since its airing on July 11, 2013. The fervid fan base series gives us diverse stories about imperfect women trying to survive behind bars. It’s interesting to see that the show featured women of all kinds of races including the black women who are portrayed as strong-willed and determined characters in the series. They made the show even more captivating by bringing depth and authenticity to their characters. It’s so amazing to see such a diverse and talented cast being well-represented in the show. Therefore, today in this article we have assembled a list of some of the black actresses who made the show truly special.

1. Uzo Aduba

A picture of Uzo Aduba. PEN American Center, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Uzo Aduba starred as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren in the comedy-drama series Orange is the New Black. In the drama series, she had been imprisoned for kidnapping and forced manslaughter. In the show, Uzo is portrayed as a very bright woman who cannot communicate effectively with others. She gets very delusional when she is nervous and prone to uncontrollable intense emotions due to mental illness.

Her character in Orange is the New Black earned her several accolades including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2014, an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2015, and two SAG Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series in 2014 and 2015. She is so talented and continues to inspire more black actresses in the entertainment industry.

2. Adrienne C. Moore

The American black actress features as Cindy “Black Cindy” Hayes in the drama series. She was serving time behind bars for stealing while working at her TSA job. Cindy highlights how fragile each of the friendships is at the Litchfield prison, to the point that she shutters all of her friendships. In the first two seasons, Adrienne was a recurring character and was elevated to series regular for season 3. She received her first NAACP Image Award nomination for her performance in the show in 2014.

3. Laverne Cox

A picture of Laverne Cox. Dominick D, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The famous actress and LGBT advocate played the role of Sophia Burset in Orange is the New Black. In the series, she is imprisoned for credit card fraud and she spends time behind bars at the Lichfield prison working as a hairdresser. She appears to be more educated than many of her fellow inmates. The role of Sophia Burset earned her the title of the first transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category and the first to be nominated for an Emmy Award.   

4. Samira Wiley

Samira Wiley is famous for her role as Poussey Washington in the Netflix series, Orange is the New Black. Poussey was serving a six-year sentence, for a minor drug charge. She spends most of her time behind bars working at the library section and making hooch for her fellow inmates. Poussey gets along with everyone something that is very uncommon in the prisons. This, however, does not work for her for the good because she is constantly rubbed in the wrong way by her fellow inmates. Her performance in the series is so powerful and captivating.

5. Danielle Brooks

Danielle Brooks at an event. Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

She caught the eye of many viewers as Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson in the drama series Orange is the New Black. Tasha was behind bars because of drug-related charges, for breaking parole, and later on, a life sentence for CO Piscatella’s murder for which she was wrongly accused. She formerly lived in a miserable foster care but found a family in prison, especially her best friend Poussey played by Samira Wiley whom they had met before the show while studying together in Julliard.

Her role garnered her two NAACP Image Award nominations for “Best Actress in a Comedy Series.” She was also awarded The Young Hollywood Award for “Breakthrough Actress.” She is said to be “the breakout actress of the drama series and one of the most refreshing and exciting new talents of 2013.”

6. Dascha Polanco

Dascha Polanco is one of the casts of Orange is the New Black, playing Dayanara “Daya” Diaz. In the drama series, she was in prison for drug-related issues and eventually a life sentence for murdering CO Humprey. She’s one of the most silent introverted inmates that was impregnated by a police officer CO Benett but she ended up defending him by accusing another police officer who ends up in prison for rape. The actress’s performance in the show features intense emotions and commitment to authenticity which makes her a favorite character to watch.

7. Lorraine Toussaint

Lorraine Toussaint at the Paley Fest. Dominick D, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

She starred in the second season of the comedy-drama show Orange is the New Black as Yvonne “Vee” Parker. In the series, she displays impulsive behavior and uses intelligence charm to manipulate others. Unfortunately, she was run over while trying to escape and couldn’t proceed to the next seasons of the series. Her talent and captivating presence have made her receive critical acclaim and a Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

8. Vicky Jeudy

Vicky Jeudy landed the recurring role of Janae Watson in the comedy-drama series. In the series Janae Watson, a former high school track star ends up as an inmate at the Litchfield Penitentiary. Along with other cast members, Vicky was awarded the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series in addition to three Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Aside from being an actor, Vicky empowers those in her community.

9. Selenis Leyva

A picture of Selenis Leyva. Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Selenis is well known for her role as Gloria Mendoza in the Netflix drama series Orange is the New Black. She was the Latina leader in jail who at some point worked in the Kitchen. The actress received a recurring character in the first two seasons and was later promoted to season 3 and the rest of the seasons. Her phenomenal skills and commitment to her craft made her receive three Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series along with her cast members. She also received the ALMA Award for Outstanding Special Achievement in Television in 2014.

10. Susan Heyward

Susan Heyward portrays Tamika Ward in Orange Is the New Black. In the show, she was the corrections Officer at Litchfield Maximum Security Prison. The plot twist she brings in the show is that she and Taystee, Danielle Brooks, were friends way before she was imprisoned. They had worked at a restaurant together when they were still teenagers. Susan tries to help Taystee even if she is not so open to the idea.

These black actresses in the drama-comedy series Orange Is the new black have done so well in bringing their characters to life in such a powerful way. It’s interesting to see strong talented black actresses being well-represented in the drama series. They have continued to be the source of inspiration to most of the upcoming black actresses in the entertainment industry.