Orange Is the New Black cast: Who plays Skinhead Helen Orange in OITNB?

Orange Is the New Black came to an end this summer but that has not stopped fans from binge-watching the show on repeat. In season four, some white supremacists join the inmates at Litchfield, the most terrifying being Helen Van Maele (Francesca Curran). Here’s everything you need to know about Helen and the actress who plays her.

Who plays Skinhead Helen in OITNB?

Helen Van Maele, better known as Skinhead Helen in Orange Is the New Black is played by American actress Francesca Curran.

Helen was introduced in season four of OITNB as a member of the white pride movement.

She stood out from other female prisoners due to her shaved head and large tattoos on her face and neck.

Helen was also a white supremacist, who was openly racist in prison.

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She became infatuated with Piper Chapman (played by Taylor Schilling) and formed close friendships with Leanne Taylor (Emma Myles), Jennifer Digori (Olivia Luccardi), Angie Rice (Julie Lake) and Kasey Sankey (Kelly Karbacz).

Helen also had many enemies, particularly the African American members of the prison such as Cindy Hayes (Adrienne C. Moore), Taystee (Danielle Brooks), Suzanne (Uzo Aduba) and Poussey (Samira Wiley).

She forms an unusual alliance with the Dominicans in the prison and also is revealed to love unicorns and Lisa Frank stickers.

The last viewers see Helen in season six of Orange Is the New Black.

She was ridiculing the guards who could not humiliate her by shaving her head because she already was a skinhead.

Following the prison riot in season five, Helen alongside Big Boo (Lea DeLaria) and Ouija (Rosal Colón ) were sent to prison in Cleveland, Ohio.

Sadly, this was the last time Helen appeared on the screen.

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Who is Francesa Curran?

Francesca Curran is an American actress from New York.

Orange Is the New Black was her breakthrough role, after appearing in some American adverts and auditioning for indie films a year after acting school.

Speaking to Insider, Curran revealed she really did go bald to play Helen and as a result, had to shave her head.

She also said: “In real life, I’m so feminine. I’m so girly. I love my makeup, I love my jewellery, and all that.

“So to really be stripped of all that…the first time I was like, okay, wow. I found myself in the mirror and was like, this is a striking…what a difference.”

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To prepare for the role, Curran spent hours learning about white supremacy.

She explained: “I just locked down. I mean I was like in my house all day on research. I went to the library for a few days, watching interviews.

“I was on YouTube and just packing my brain full of as much information as I could. Just trying to learn this culture of White Supremacy, that I knew absolutely nothing about.”

Orange Is the New Black is streaming on Netflix now

source: express.co.uk