Orange Is The New Black: Taryn Manning Reveals ‘Pennsatucky’ Transformation Secrets; Talks Topless Nerves

Taryn Manning is stripped of her usual beauty to play Litchfield prison’s resident bible-thumper on “Orange is the New Black” – no makeup, stringy hair and a smile destroyed by years of meth use.

The actress stopped by Access Hollywood Live on Friday, where she revealed how the “OITNB” team creates her mangled “Pennsatucky” mouth.

“It’s makeup!” Taryn explained to Billy Bush and Kit Hoover, when asked if she wears a mouthpiece while filming scenes as Tiffany Doggett on the Netflix original series.

While the production team created Taryn’s on-screen appearance, the former “Sons of Anarchy” actress added her own touches to the character’s wild, backwoods persona.

“I kind of designed her myself,” she said. “I went along with the script, but I definitely gave her some new dimensions.”

Taryn appears topless in a flashback scene on the show, but said going sans-shirt wasn’t too intimidating, as many of her co-stars had already shed their clothes for the gritty series.

“It [wasn’t] a big deal, [especially] after Taylor Schilling and Laura Prepon [had gone topless],” she said, referencing two of her “OITNB” co-stars, who play Piper Chapman and Alex Vause, respectively. “Everyone had done it and it’s such a supportive group of women.

“They close the set,” she continued. “Everyone is respectful. I don’t mind it.”

As for whether Pennsatucky will ever indulge in any behind-closed-cell ladylove (as many of Litchfield’s inmates do), Taryn said her character – who is ironically judgmental despite her unsavory past – is completely against going “gay for the stay.”

“No, she won’t [romance the ladies],” she said. “My character is very anti-everything. She’s a complete fraud.”

“Orange Is the New Black” Season 1 is streaming on Netflix. Season 2 is currently filming.

— Erin O’Sullivan

Copyright © 2024 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read More

‘Love Is Blind’ Season 6 Reunion Trailer Teases Major Drama: ‘Get Your EpiPens Ready’