Laura Prepon, who plays Alex on the Netflix hit prison drama Orange Is the New Black, will not be a regular for the series’ second season, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The actress will return to season two to wrap up her character’s storyline, but will not be one of the season’s leads. However, the door remains open for Prepon to return to the series later on.
“Our season is still developing and nothing is confirmed,” a Netflix rep said in a statement. Representatives for Prepon declined comment.
The details of the reason for Prepon’s exit still remain unclear and it is unknown whether Prepon made the decision to leave or her character was offed by executive producer Jenji Kohan.
Prepon plays inmate Alex, the on-again, off-again love interest of main character Piper, who is played by Taylor Schilling. Alex and Piper ended their prison romance during the season one finale, after Piper told Alex she was choosing to move forward with her engagement to fiancée Larry.
Season two of Orange Is the New Black has already began production with its stacked season two cast. Season one characters Pennsatucky (Taryn Manning), Taystee (Danielle Brooks) and Crazy Eyes (Uzo Aduba) have all been promoted to series regulars, in addition to new members Kate Mulgrew and Lorraine Toussaint.