Dascha Polanco reveals whether Daya dies in Orange Is the New Black season 7

2 August 2019, 15:27

Nicky Idika

By Nicky Idika

Does Aleida kill Daya on Orange Is The New Black? The shows writers told Dascha Polanco whether Daya survives in the Orange Is The New Black finale because even SHE was sure Daya died.

After seven seasons, Netflix's Orange Is The New Black drew to a close and we finally found out the fate of all our favourite (and not-so-favourite) characters. Ending a show is never easy (just ask the Game of Thrones writers room) and some OITNB fans found themselves conflicted over Daya's ambiguous ending. Is Daya dead at the end of Orange Is The New Black?

Well, buckle in, kids, because we now have confirmation from Dascha Polanco, herself that perhaps Daya is not as dead as the finale led us to think .

Daya Orange Is The New Black season 7
Daya Orange Is The New Black season 7. Picture: Netflix

Did Daya die in Orange Is the New Black? - Does Aleida kill Daya?

By season seven, Daya has undergone a huge change. The events in the preceding seasons have impacted her–especially the fall out from the Litchfield riot. Daya becomes involved in moving drugs inside the prison and embraces her harder side.

When her mother Aleida returns to prison this season for violating her parole, she is furious with Daya for involving her sisters Ava and potentially Lucy in the drug business. Aleida is worried Daya will ruin their lives and, in their last scene, Aleida chops Days in the neck before strangling her.

It is unclear what happens to Daya in the scene but Dascha Polanco has revealed that, actually, Daya survives the attack.

Aleida strangles Daya
Aleida strangles Daya. Picture: Netflix

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Dascha explains that the writers made it clear to her that Daya isn't actually six feet under.

"They made it very clear to me that I don’t die," Daya told THR. "I thought that she did. But the writers told me, 'She doesn’t die, but she gets knocked out really good.' And I realized it was going to be left as that question."

PHEW. That is a huge sigh of relief. Daya has arguably one of the most drastic personality changes between season one and season seven and her "death" meant she would never be able to re discover her happier side. Now, at least, we can picture Daya getting back to her old self in a post-OITNB world.