‘Orange Is The New Black’ Almost Had A Really Terrible Meta Ending
Bullet dodged.
On Friday the final season of Orange Is the New Black hit Netflix, and we’re pleased to report that they pretty much nailed it. The early reaction from fans and critics has been extremely positive, with the finale proving particularly emotional for viewers who have spent seven years getting to know these characters and their stories.
But it turns out the ending was nearly very different. And by different, I mean fucking terrible.
In a fascinating oral history of the show published by The Hollywood Reporter, series creator Jenji Kohan and executive producer Tara Herrmann spoke about an idea they had for the finale that involved Piper turning her experience in prison into a TV show.
“Since season one, the joke ending that would come up occasionally was to get super meta and cast an actress to be Jenji who goes into Netflix and pitches a show,” explained Herrmann.
Added Kohan: “Piper having a meeting and then selling the show and having her watch someone playing her. We toyed with it.”
That’s right folks. They nearly Gilmore Girls-ed it.
Fortunately, Kohan was dissuaded from pursuing that particular plot thread by an unlikely hero: her kid.
“I was at dinner and joking about it and my 13-year-old son was like, ‘No. You cannot do that’.”
Thank God for that.