The title sequence features close-ups of the faces of real former inmates, including a brief shot of Piper Kerman, whose book was the basis for the TV series. Kerman has blue eyes and is the one who blinks.
Uzo Aduba (Crazy Eyes)'s character was only meant to appear in the first three episodes. After seeing her performances, the writers and producers made her a recurring character.
Uzo Aduba (Crazy Eyes) became the first actress to win two Emmys in consecutive years in different categories for the same show; the first was in 2014 in Comedy and the second was in 2015 in Drama.
In real life, Dascha Polanco is only two years younger than Elizabeth Rodriguez, who plays her mother.
The first scene Laura Prepon and Taylor Schilling shot was the nude shower scene from the pilot. According to Prepon, the two had such natural chemistry that after one take, Schilling turned to her and said, "Thank God it's you!"