Orange is the New Black is one of the most popular and acclaimed shows on Netflix. It follows the lives of a diverse group of women in a minimum-security prison, as they deal with their pasts, their relationships, their struggles, and their hopes. The show is a perfect blend of drama, comedy, and social commentary, and it has won many awards and fans over its seven seasons.
If you are looking for more shows that are similar to Orange is the New Black, you are in luck. There are many other shows that feature strong female characters, prison settings, dark humor, and compelling stories. Here are five shows related to Orange is the New Black that you should watch.
Wentworth
Wentworth is an Australian drama series that is set in a women’s prison. It is a remake of the classic soap opera Prisoner, which aired from 1979 to 1986. Wentworth is more gritty and realistic than its predecessor, and it explores the power dynamics, corruption, violence, and drama that occur behind bars.
Wentworth has been praised for its complex and diverse characters, its gripping plot twists, and its excellent performances. It has also been compared to Orange is the New Black for its portrayal of women’s issues, LGBTQ+ representation, and social themes. However, Wentworth is much darker and more violent than OITNB, so be prepared for some intense scenes.
You can watch Wentworth on Netflix.
Glow
Glow is a comedy-drama series that is inspired by the real-life Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW), a women’s professional wrestling promotion that operated in the 1980s. The show follows a group of aspiring actresses, models, and misfits who audition for a low-budget wrestling show, hoping to make it big in Hollywood.
Glow is a fun and uplifting show that celebrates female empowerment, friendship, and creativity. It also tackles issues such as sexism, racism, body image, sexuality, and identity. Glow has a similar tone and style to Orange is the New Black, as both shows are created by Jenji Kohan. They also share some cast members, such as Kate Nash, Sunita Mani, and Britt Baron.
You can watch Glow on Netflix.
Russian Doll
Russian Doll is a comedy-drama series that follows Nadia, a cynical software engineer who gets stuck in a time loop on her 36th birthday. She dies repeatedly in various ways, only to wake up again at the same party. She tries to figure out what is happening to her and how to break the cycle.
Russian Doll is a clever and original show that mixes humor, mystery, and existentialism. It also explores themes such as trauma, addiction, mental health, and morality. Russian Doll has a connection to Orange is the New Black through its co-creator and star Natasha Lyonne, who plays Nicky Nichols on OITNB. She also brings her signature wit and charm to both roles.
You can watch Russian Doll on Netflix.
Dead to Me
Dead to Me is a dark comedy series that revolves around Jen and Judy, two women who meet at a grief support group after losing their loved ones. Jen is a widow who is angry and bitter after her husband was killed by a hit-and-run driver. Judy is a free-spirited artist who has a shocking secret that links her to Jen’s tragedy. The two become unlikely friends and help each other cope with their losses.
Dead to Me is a hilarious and heartbreaking show that explores the themes of grief, guilt, forgiveness, and friendship. It also has many twists and turns that keep you hooked. Dead to Me has some similarities to Orange is the New Black in terms of its tone, humor, female leads, and emotional depth.
You can watch Dead to Me on Netflix.
Weeds
Weeds is a comedy-drama series that follows Nancy Botwin, a suburban widow who starts selling marijuana to support her family after her husband dies of a heart attack. She soon gets involved in the illegal drug trade and faces various challenges and dangers from rival dealers, corrupt officials, and her own family.
Weeds is a witty and satirical show that critiques the American society, culture, and politics. It also deals with issues such as family, morality, sexuality, and identity. Weeds is the first show created by Jenji Kohan before she made Orange is the New Black. Both shows have similar elements such as quirky characters, dark humor, social commentary, and drug-related plots.
You can watch Weeds on Hulu or Amazon Prime Video.
These are some of the shows related to Orange is the New Black that you should watch if you enjoyed the Netflix prison drama. They will make you laugh, cry, think, and feel entertained. Happy binge-watching!