When Madeline Brewer’s character Tricia Miller met her tragic end at the close of Orange Is the New Black season 1, it wasn’t a dramatic last-minute decision; it was organic storytelling that reshaped Brewer’s early career.
Let’s unpack how it happened, how she found out, and what came next, drawing straight from her own words.
From Short Cameo to Lasting Impact
Brewer landed the role of Tricia Miller early in her career; she had just graduated from AMDA and had no prior professional acting credits.
Her TV debut in Orange Is The New Black (OITNB) was in 2013, and the part was originally slated for just 2–3 episodes. But her performance? It resonated.
Writers extended her arc up to episode 6 before deciding the story needed Tricia’s heart-wrenching exit.
The Email That Changed Everything
Madeline didn’t learn about Tricia’s fate during filming.
She found out after wrapping episode 9 while at her mom’s house in New Jersey, with an email from show creator Jenji Kohan explaining the choice. “My first instinct was like, ‘Oh my God! Holy shit!’
And then I was like, ‘Oh God, this is it.’ I always knew it,” she said
Even though she sensed her time was ending, her exit still hit hard. But she also praised Kohan’s thoughtful messaging, calling it “an awesome way” to close her run, and saying she felt “unbelievably blessed” to have been part of the story.
Why It Made Sense for the Show and Brewer
From a storytelling standpoint, Tricia’s death served as a brutal, realistic beat that underscored the show’s gritty themes of addiction, vulnerability, and the prison system’s failures. It wasn’t just drama; it was a narrative anchor.
For Brewer, landing, performing, and exiting in one season offered immense visibility, and the role opened many doors. It wasn’t just about being written off; it was a powerful launchpad that supercharged her career.
Beyond Orange: From Small Role to Big Break
After OITNB, Brewer continued snagging compelling roles in Hemlock Grove, The Handmaid’s Tale, Hustlers, and more.
That foundational exit didn’t close a chapter; it helped start the book of her rising profile, packed with layered, diverse roles and industry recognition.
Will Brewer return in Flashbacks in Season 2?
When asked if she’d appear in flashbacks the following season, Brewer replied, “I wish, but no. Tricia had her time on the show.” It wasn’t bitterness, it was clarity.
Brewer recognised that character arcs must serve the story, and hers had a powerful, self-contained impact.
In Summary: A Departure That Sparked Her Ascent
Madeline Brewer’s time on Orange Is the New Black was initially meant to be brief, but her standout performance earned her an extended arc. Ultimately, Tricia’s death was a deliberate narrative choice, one that significantly contributed to the emotional weight of Season 1.
While the departure came earlier than some fans hoped, Brewer embraced it as a meaningful chapter in her career. The role served as both a breakout moment and a springboard, paving the way for diverse, acclaimed roles that would shape her trajectory in television and film.