Orange Is the New Black returned to Netflix with the seventh and final ever season in July 2019. The OITNB cast welcomed back a number of regulars including Taylor Schilling and Laura Prepon as well as several new faces, including Marie Lou-Nahhas who plays Shani. Shani quickly became a fan favourite among Orange Is the New Black viewers after striking up a romance with Nicky (Natasha Lyonne), leaving many wanting to know more about the actress who plays her.
Who is Shani in Orange Is the New Black season 7?
WARNING: This article contains spoilers from OITNB season 7.
Shani was first introduced to Orange Is the New Black viewers in episode three of the final series.
OITNB viewers saw Shani as a detainee by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Nicky was employed as one of the kitchen staff in the detention centre and from then on, sparks flew between the pair.
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Orange Is the New Black’s newest couple spent most of the final season ‘getting to know one another’ in a corner of the kitchen.
As the pair’s romance appeared to be going from strength to strength, Shani revealed the heartbreaking truth about her past.
Shani was a victim of female genital mutilation while back in Egypt.
Her family also disowned after discovering the truth about her relationship with another woman, forcing her to flee the country.
Shani’s dad issued the spine-tingling threat that he “could never hurt” his daughter but he couldn’t say the same for the rest of her family.
Before Nicky and Shani could put a label on things, the new OITNB character faced deportation.
Nicky was left sobbing to Lorna (Yael Stone) as she read the last letter left for her by Shani and that’s the last fans see of her.
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Who plays Shani? Who is Marie Lou-Nahhas?
Lou-Nahhas’s portrayal of Shani is the actor’s biggest role to date.
Prior to OITNB, Lou-Nahhas had impressed in a handful of appearances on some of the USA’s biggest TV series.
Her first role, however, came in the Jake Gyllenhaal-led blockbuster Southpaw.
The actor then went on to star in 2016 comedy Craig Quits His Day Job.
On the small screen, Lou-Nahhas landed bit-part roles in Hulu original The Looming Tower and CBS drama Madam Secretary.
WILL OITNB FINISH AFTER SEASON 7?
Lou-Nahhas only announced the news of her role in OITNB season seven the day before it premiered.
Taking to Instagram, the star penned a message to her 3.5k followers dropping the bombshell.
She wrote: “Today is my father’s birthday, and it’s the day I announce my recurring role on Orange IS the New Black final season.
“Catch all the episodes on @netflix TOMORROW #orangeforever I’ll have closer pictures, I just couldn’t wait mas. Season drops 12am LA time #orangeisthenewblack.”
Orange Is the New Black season 7 is available to stream on Netflix now.