Orange is the New Black season 4: Netflix confirms 2016 return before season 3 airs

The Litchfield Penitentiary girls will be sticking around for some time yet

Orange Is The New Black has proved a huge hit for Netflix (Netflix)

Netflix original Orange is the New Black has been commissioned for a fourth series before the third has even aired after scooping gongs and securing a solid fanbase.

This news will excite but not shock fans of the hit series, after the show picked up three Emmy Awards earlier this year.

The comedy-drama about the female inmates of Litchfield Penitentiary returns to Netflix on 12 June, with fans enjoying the first glimpse what is to come when the season three trailer dropped last week.

Cast regulars Red (Kate Mulgrew), Nicky (Natasha Lyonne), Taystee (Danielle Brooks), Pennsatucky (Taryn Manning), Morello (Yael Stone) and Gloria Mendoza 9Selenis Leyva) will all be returning for 14 episodes, going one more than series one and two, which each featured 13 episodes.

Piper’s pathetic boyfriend Larry Bloom (played by Jason Biggs), will not be returning for the third series – meaning a renewed affair between Piper and Alex looks all the more likely with the latter back behind bars.

The last series saw the prison divided as Vee, the facility's former head honcho, returned to knock Red off her perch.

Red is taking no prisoners in Orange is the New Black

Season four is expected to premiere in 2016.