Taylor Schilling to Star in Netflix's 'Orange Is the New Black'

12:52 PM PDT 8/30/2012 by Philiana Ng

85
68
0
0
765
Email
Print
Comments

The "Mercy" actress has landed the lead role in Jenji Kohan's new one-hour series.

Getty Images

Taylor Schilling

Taylor Schilling has landed the lead role in Weeds creator Jenji Kohan's new Netflix series Orange Is the New Black.

'Weeds' Creator, Netflix Near Series Order for 'Orange is the New Black'

The Mercy star will play the coveted lead role in the project from Lionsgate TV that's based on the book by Piper Kerman.

PHOTOS: Netflix's 10 Most Rented Movies of All Time

The one-hour dramedy centers on an engaged Brooklyn resident whose decade-old relationship with a drug-runner in college results in her arrest and multi-year detention in a federal penitentiary. Lacking any real-world experience to deal with this harsh new environment, Piper immerses herself in women's prison culture and finds acceptance, tears, laughter and love amidst an outspoken group of inmates.

Schilling has starred in the 2011 film adaptation of Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged and appeared opposite Zac Efron in The Lucky One. She last toplined NBC's hospital drama Mercy from 2009-10.

PHOTOS: 2011's Biggest Rule Breakers Netflix's Reed Hastings: THR Year In Review

Orange marks Netflix's latest original series, joining the Media Rights Capital-produced political thriller House of Cards from David Fincher and Kevin Spacey, and a revival of cult comedy Arrested Development. In June, it was announced that Kohan's Weeds will end after the eighth season.

E-mail: Philiana.Ng@thr.com