EXCLUSIVE: Will Taystee Appear in the ‘Orange Is the New Black’ Spin-off? Danielle Brooks Has Answers

As Orange Is the New Black’s last season draws near, we can’t help but wonder what will become of the former ladies of Litchfield. Presumably some will be released, others, sadly, will remain incarcerated and a lucky few might make it to the spin-off.

That’s right: Last November, Lionsgate TV Group chairman Kevin Beggs announced a spin-off from series creator Jenji Kohan was forthcoming. So, when we chatted with OITNB star Danielle Brooks, who plays Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson on the show, we just had to ask: Is Taystee along for the ride?

The 29-year-old SAG award winner, who spoke with PureWow thanks to her partnership with the Wells Fargo Propel Card (who doesn’t love 3x the points?), admitted she’s not entirely sure.

“I don’t know how true or fan fiction [the spin-off] is,” Brooks reasoned.

If it is real, however, would she be interested in being included? Thankfully, Brooks says yes, but under one condition. “If the price is right…I mean, hey, I ain't mad at it. I’d always come back,” Brooks joked. Noted.

Orange Is the New Black is set to drop its seventh and final season later this year, although no exact release date has been announced. Brooks says the wait is totally worth it, though. In fact, when she read the scripts for the forthcoming season she was taken aback.

“I was actually shocked when I was receiving the scripts and reading them,” Brooks explained. “I was shocked at how much further they could push these characters, especially Taystee. My mind was blown.”

Shocking or not, Brooks assured us that fans will feel satisfied with the ending. “I think they’re going to feel full and feel like we’ve answered all the questions that they wanted answered. I think people will still leave feeling hopeful for Taystee at the end of the day.” 

We’re hopeful for a Taystee spin-off—just saying.