Has anyone had the chance to check out the new Netflix original series, “Orange is the New Black?” The show was released earlier this month, renewed for a second season, and received rave reviews. We all know that I don’t have much time to add another television series to my roster, but after hearing so much buzz about it, I convinced Kevin to start it with me. We’ve gone through 6 episodes this weekend even with Capitol Hill Block Party in the middle of it!

Apparently, the show received a more successful debut than Arrested Development! And we can definitely understand why.

Actress Taylor Schilling portrays a character named Piper Chapman who has recently surrendered herself and entered prison. She clearly doesn’t fit in and the show captures both her struggles and her wins as she tries to survive among a group of girls very different than her. The cast is a diverse mix of race, gender, and age with each character having a complex back story highlighted in each episode.

There are several reasons why I am enjoying this show so much:

• While the cast has some notable actors and actresses like Laura Prepon and Jason Biggs, the majority of the cast is a bunch of new players and the acting is phenomenal. They’ve done a great job at picking up the newbies and additionally with the story line. 
• The diversity. Orange is the New Black highlights lesbian couples in a way that is both real and respectful. I also appreciate Laverne Cox’s “Sophia Burset” as the transgender character. It’s a type of character that is not included in many shows today and it’s refreshing  to see.
• it’s funny and it’s witty! The humor, though at times, very shocking and surprising is entertaining!
• Aside from being just a comedy, it’s a drama. The story is compelling and maybe not always entirely relatable, but relatable to an extent. I can’t give anything away, but I believe that there’s something for everyone in this show.
• The rest of the cast is just as important as the main character. In most television series, there is one stand-out character that runs the entire show – but that’s not the case with “Orange is the New Black.” Everyone is a part of Piper’s prison experience and has a hand in it someway or another. In this situation, the spotlight is shared and the back stories of each character are not only interesting, but addicting.

If you get a chance, check out Orange is the New Black on Netflix and let me know your thoughts on it!