Samira Wiley, who had already met Brooks while they were both studying at Juilliard, hung onto her bartending job through the filming of Season 1 of “Orange,” scared that she might be written off. (This had happened to her before, after appearing in the first two episodes of “Unforgettable.”) Instead, she played the good-natured Poussey Washington for four seasons until her character’s shocking death. She then moved from one women’s prison to another, joining the Republic of Gilead in “The Handmaid’s Tale” (along with the fellow “Orange” alum Madeline Brewer). Wiley’s portrayal on that series of the valiant refugee Moira won her an Emmy, and she has stayed busy recently as Karen’s love interest on “Will & Grace.” Up next: “BIOS,” a sci-fi feature with Tom Hanks.

Asia Kate Dillon