Yes, that’s right, Netflix and Jenji Kohan just committed to seasons 5, 6, and 7 of the hit hourlong dramedy that just won its second SAG award for Comedy Ensemble and Comedy Actress for Uzo Aduba. And yes, this is three more seasons after Season 4, which premieres on June 7.
Extended prison sentences usually of course come as bad news for inmates and the people attached to them, but this is one occasion where everyone who’s grown fond of the inmates of Litchfield (likely especially the people playing the inmates of Litchfield) will be pleased to know that it looks like no one’s off the hook for another three years. Kohan is likewise, happily, stuck in Litchfield for the extended sentence, as Variety reports that the renewal contract includes Kohan’s commitment to continue to run the show throughout these three seasons. The creator/showrunner said:
Three more years! Not quite a political term, but still plenty of time to do some interesting things. In some cultures, ‘May you lead an interesting life,’ is a curse, but I don’t live in those cultures. Here’s to keeping it interesting. Thanks Netflix! Both thanks and you’re welcome Lionsgate! And kudos and gratitude to the stellar cast and crew and writers and producers and editors and musicians and mixers and shleppers… with whom I have the pride and honor of crafting this show. Three more years! Three more years!
Variety notes that this is “the longest commitment for any TV series in recent memory” — and it’s likely because OITNB is Netflix’s most watched series — a rare thing for the company that carefully guards their viewership stats to admit.
It is not yet known whether all of the core cast members will be returning for these seasons.