'Orange is the New Black' clique talk Season 2 - Los Angeles Times
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‘Orange is the New Black’ clique talk Season 2

The Paley Center For Media's PaleyFest 2014 Honoring "Orange Is The New Black" at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
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There’s quite a few taco nights between now and the second-season roll-out of “Orange is the New Black,” but that doesn’t mean we can’t sneak you some goodies.

Creator Jenji Kohan and a good portion of the show’s sprawling cast were on hand Friday night at the dramedy’s PaleyFest panel in Hollywood to reflect on its lauded debut season, and to tease--as much as Netflix will allow--what to expect from the upcoming second season, which is up for parole on June 6.

It was previously revealed that a new inmate would be joining Litchfield Penitentiary--and the cast all seem to be in agreement that this newbie will shake things up.

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Lorraine Toussaint joins as Yvonne “Vee” Parker and she disclosed to the crowd that her character is a street-wise drug maven who runs children. So, yeah, pretty ruthless. Vee will serve as a foil to Red (Kate Mulgrew).

“Kudos to Jenji because I think this is one of the more complex characters I’ve ever played,” Toussaint, who had kept a tight lip for most of the panel, said. “And possibly one of the more difficult ones I’ve played because in order to play her, I kind of have to let my shattered-self drive the car for six months. She’s a complex and interesting character that interacts intimately with all these characters. She’s not afraid of intimacy.” [Insert woos from crowd]

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Toussaint added: “I think it’ll be interesting seeing how this character is received ... she is a character that plays and enjoys the game. She’s incredibly engaging and draws people into the big game. And I have a great deal of fun.”

And judging by the endorsement from co-star Danielle Brooks, who plays Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson, Toussaint is bound to fuel some memes with her performance.

“The times that I got to work with her, it felt like taking an Oprah Master Class.” Brooks said.

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But what would “Orange is the New Black” be without some throwback action? Kohan revealed that getting the flashback treatment this season are: Vee, Taystee, Lorna (Yael Stone), Sister Ingalls (Beth Fowler) and Miss Rosa (Barbara Rosenblat).

“Everyone has their moments to shine,” Kohan said.

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