‘Orange is the New Black” co-star Laura Prepon, who plays Piper’s (Taylor Schilling) on-again/off-again girlfriend, is leaving the show.
Prepon will return early next season to wrap up her storyline on the Netflix prison dramedy, currently shooting its second season.
Producers are leaving the door open for Prepon’s character, Alex Vause, to return to the series if the situation arises, according to reports.
“Orange” is based on Piper Kerman’s autobiographical best-seller, in which Alex is only a lateral character. The role was beefed up for the Netflix version, which premiered in late June and has received critical kudos.
(Netflix renewed the show for a second season before the first season was released.)
On the show, Piper and Alex — who headed an international drug-smuggling operation — had a lesbian relationship years earlier.
After their breakup, Alex was eventually busted, naming Piper as an accomplice — resulting in Piper serving time in the same federal prison as Alex, where they rekindle their stormy relationship.
Prior to “Orange,” Prepon was best known for her co-starring role on Fox’s long-running sitcom “That ’70s Show” (1998-2006).