Laura Prepon Won’t Return As Regular On ‘Orange Is The New Black’

Laura Prepon played Alex on Orange Is the New Black’s first season – main character Piper’s (Taylor Shilling) past girlfriend whose profession in the drug trade landed them both behind bars. Although their prison affair becomes a main storyline in the Netflix original series' first season, Prepon won’t be returning as a regular for its sophomore season.

Prepon will reportedly come back for a few episodes in the second season to tie up Alex’s storyline, and would have an exit that could allow for a return sometime later in the series, but she’s yet to sign a contract, according to The Hollywood Reporter. As of yet, there’s been no concrete reason given for Prepon’s early departure from the hit streaming series.

It comes as a shock to fans of the latest, and arguably best, Netflix original series that Prepon won’t be returning as a pivotal character. It seems inconceivable that Prepon would leave a successful series that she’s expressed joy and pride of being a part of. It’s even more inconceivable that the show would want to get rid of Piper’s most interesting foil. Was it money? Was it scheduling? No one has commented yet.

Prior to landing the role on Jenji Cohen’s latest contribution to television, Prepon starred on the short-lived Are You There, Chelsea? and October Road. She’s best known, however, for her role as Donna on That 70s Show, which also starred Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Topher Grace.

Season 2 of Orange Is the New Black started filming in New York City in July. It’s scheduled to premiere on Netflix sometime in 2014.

– Chelsea Regan

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