15 Best Show Like Orange Is The New Black Update 04/2024

Show Like Orange Is The New Black

The following shows and series will appeal to fans of Orange is the New Black’s mix of grim realism and offbeat humor.

One of Netflix’s most beloved shows, Stranger Things, ended its run this summer to a bereaved audience of millions.

On the 25th of July, 2019, Orange is the New Black’s seven-season run of 91 episodes came to an end. Those who adored the show were heartbroken when it ended, and they now had a void to fill. What could be on the horizon for them now?

But fortunately, we’re currently experiencing what many people refer to as the “Golden Age of Television.”. Orange is the New Black has concluded, but there are plenty of great shows to replace it.

Matthew Wilkinson made the following update on May 26th: Despite the fact that Orange is the New Black has been on the air for almost a year, it continues to be a fan favorite. However, with so many other shows now available, fans of this series can pick up on a lot of content.

Even though they aren’t identical, there are hints of similarity in everything from personalities to the show’s plot that will satisfy fans. We’ve narrowed it down to 15 shows based on what made Orange is the New Black so successful.

15. Shameless

Shameless

Piper Chapman was the main focus of Orange is the New Black when it first debuted. This became more of an ensemble piece as the story progressed because the focus expanded and the characters from various prisons gained more depth. The hit seriesShameless on Showtime also features a large cast of flawed individuals.

To be fair, the cast of Shameless is significantly less diverse than that of OITNB, with the show concentrating on a predominantly white family. It’s the people involved in criminal activities and the consequences of their sometimes terrible actions that make this resemble a Netflix prison show. Fans of OITNB will enjoy the suspenseful and entertaining nature of this episode.

14. Hollywood

Hollywood’s tone and cast are worlds apart from Litchfield’s, but the two shows share many elements. Aside from focusing on old Hollywood glitz and glamour rather than troubled characters with criminal pasts, it touches on many similar themes.

Hollywood places a lot of emphasis on issues like racism, gender equality, and homophobia, all of which are prevalent in OITNB. As a result, despite their vast differences, the stories deal with similar material in a unique way.

13. Jessica Jones

Jessica Jones

Of the many Netflix original series with strong female protagonists, OITNB is by no means the only one. Jessica Jones is the strongest woman on Netflix’s juggernaut show. Jessica is a genetically modified human being endowed with numerous superhuman abilities, such as superhuman strength and speed.

Jessica Jones, a Netflix series based on the Marvel Cinematic Universe character, aired for a total of three seasons. This wasn’t your typical superhero show, thanks to a stellar performance from Krysten Ritter. A gloomy undertone pervaded Jessica, as the story tackled difficult subjects like alcoholism, rape, and drug abuse.

12. Arrested Development

Arrested Development, like OITNB, is a comedy that features a diverse cast of characters with distinct personalities.. While this show does not place as much emphasis on genuine emotional drama, there are still lessons to be learned and a genuine connection between the audience and the characters.

The show centers on a single family, with several members ending up in prison due to mistakes they made along the way. The humor and delightfully eccentric characters will still entertain fans in a similar way to OITNB, despite its lighter tone.

11. Ozark

Piper Chapman was sentenced to life in prison for her involvement in a drug trafficking ring that was busted. A long-running series was started by something so simple. So, what if the show had started before she was imprisoned? Similar circumstances can be found with the Netflix series Ozark.

A financial planner named Marry Byrde becomes embroiled in the world of money laundering in Ozark, a story told by the character Ozark. The fact that he’s completely out of his league adds intrigue to the show. Byrde spends the entire series on the run from the police and drug traffickers. Both Jason Bateman and Julia Garner were honored with Emmys this year for their outstanding performances.

10. Better Call Saul

Better Call Saul

Don’t be deterred by the fact that this show has Breaking Bad connections; this is actually a prequel to the popular series, so anyone who hasn’t seen Breaking Bad will be just fine jumping into this one. Much like in OITNB, the focus of this show is on a bad guy who tries to make things right in the long run.

A good lawyer like Saul Goodman will do everything in his power not to break the law in order to succeed and make money, but he can’t help himself. Inmates at Litchfield Correctional Facility are not all bad people, but they do things for others that land them in jail instead of out on the street. OITNB fans will enjoy the show’s fantastic sense of humour as well.

9. Orphan Black

You’ll notice a pattern on this list: shows with diverse casts that we think Orange is the New Black fans will enjoy.

Orphan Black is based on the same premise, but with a much smaller cast. The reason for this is that the show Orphan Black is about clones, and all of the clones are played by Tatiana Maslany.

This show has a crazy hook that immediately draws in viewers, and the plot twists keep them interested. The work of Tatiana Maslany is the real deal breaker. Having five different main characters to choose from, she earned every single Emmy nomination. That does not include any of the smaller roles she has played in the past. It’s easy to tell which woman is which despite the fact that they’re all identical. That’s thanks to Tatiana Maslany’s brilliant performance.

8. Killing Eve

However, Killing Eve has a much larger fan base and is a show about female empowerment despite having a darker tone and plot than OITNB. There was a lot of interest in OITNB because of the emphasis on strong female protagonists, and this show continues that trend.

The story revolves around the intertwining lives of two highly skilled women: an MI6 operative and an assassin. A lot of exciting and thrilling things happen in this show, and that keeps the audience captivated.

7. The L Word

The L Word

OITNB and The L Word both deal with heavy and intense drama, but The L Word has some key elements in common with OITNB. For starters, it’s yet another show with a large female cast. Another important aspect is that it addresses a lot of issues pertaining to people who identify as LGBTQ+.

The L Word focused on a group of lesbian women friends in Los Angeles. For the first time, a major network show featured openly gay characters. It was well-received and has left a lasting mark on popular culture. A female prison was the setting for a previously unaired spin-off of OITNB. The L Word: Generation Q, a follow-up series, will premiere in December 2019, making this a great time to catch up on the original series.

6. Brooklyn Nine-Nine

As with Orange Is The New Black, Brooklyn Nine-primary Nine’s focus is on comedy. The cast of characters in this show is fantastic, and the humor is consistently top-notch. The show’s running gags keep audiences in stitches, and it’s no wonder why it’s so popular.

OITNB fans will enjoy seeing the other side of the criminal world in a comedic way like this, even though it follows detectives rather than inmates. OITNB excelled at portraying strong LGBTQ+ characters, and the same can be said for this show.

5. Sense8

Sense8

Shows like Sense8 have a chance to succeed now that The L Word has done so much for the visibility of LGBTQ+ people. Sense8 was a Netflix original series about eight strangers from around the world who discover they are emotionally and mentally linked. A lot of the themes explored in Orange is the New Black were similar to those found in that show.

Despite its brief run of only two seasons, Sense8 was a huge hit with both critics and viewers.

For its handling of the subject matter, the show was nominated for the Dorian Awards’ LGBTQ TV Show of the Year award. Because of the loss of these well-loved characters, fans took to social media to express their displeasure when Sense8 was canceled.

4. Jailbirds

Even if you loved Orange is the New Black, you might want something a little more grounded. Jailbirds is the ideal show for you if that describes you. Documentary style series on Netflix about women in Sacramento County Jail tells the real story of their incarceration.

Jailbirds has been compared to a real-life version of the Netflix series Orange is the New Black. The audience learns what the women have planned, which includes robberies, assaults, and even murders in extreme cases. It’s not all doom and gloom, though; the show also takes a look at the ladies’ daily lives and personal relationships.

3. Weeds

Previously, Jenji Kohan was a showrunner and writer on two hit TV series. Her most well-known role is onOITNB, but she made her television debut on Showtime’sWeeds in 2005. The story centered on a widowed mother of two who turns to selling marijuana in order to provide for her children and grandchildren. As the show progresses, she realizes she’s in over her head and continues down the rabbit hole of crime.

It’s a Jenji Kohan thing. Weeds will appeal to fans ofOITNB’s blend of bleak situations, intense drama, and biting black humor. There’s a general consensus among fans that Weeds’ quality has dipped in recent seasons, but the show was at its peak when everything was clicking.

2. Glow

Glow

However, Jenji Kohan is an executive producer on Netflix’sGLOW in addition to her work on Weeds and Orange is the New Black. In this show, a group of strong women are thrown together against their will and must work as a unit. Is there anything familiar about this? It’s set in the 1980s, and the women on GLOW are all part of a wrestling television show.

The writing style in GLOW is similar to that of OITNB. Throughout the film, there are many funny and awkward scenes. A lot of leeway is given to each character, resulting in a delicate act of balancing that appears to be extraordinarily difficult. On top of that, they’ve had to deal with a lot of difficult issues like sexual harassment, eating disorders, racism, and homophobia, and at least two of them have been openly gay. GLOW has something for everyone, no matter what your interests are.

1. Wentworth

It’s impossible to watchWentworth without being reminded of Orange is the New Black. It’s like the Netflix show’s Australian counterpart. Even the way the show was organized followed a similar pattern. Wentworth began with a single female lead before evolving into a drama starring a large ensemble.

If there’s one thing these two shows have in common, it’s a completely different vibe.

OITNB has had its share of heartbreaking scenes, but there is also humor sprinkled throughout the show.

Wentworth, on the other hand, is a lot grittier and darker. As a result, it comes across as a more accurate portrayal of life in prison.