'Orange Is the New Black' season 5 air date, spoilers: Taystee rallies for revenge; Piper may not survive fifth season

The shocking death from the previous season may continue to haunt "Orange Is the New Black" when Netflix's hit prison-based comedy-drama returns for its fifth season. Protagonist, Piper Chapman's (Taylor Schilling) life may also be on the line.

Poussey Washington's (Samira Wiley) death may have led to the violent uprising that concluded "Orange Is the New Black" season 2, but the biggest impact it made was on a personal level for the people who have grown close to her, especially her best friend, Taystee Jefferson (Danielle Brooks).

The fifth season may find Taystee in a dark place as she tries to deal with the death of her closest friend. Her personal narrative in season 5 is expected to explore her emotional journey from grief to acceptance or a possible revenge plot. Will she completely be engulfed by pain and the desire to even out scores, or will she eventually find the strength to move forward, either by her own decision or with help from an unexpected source?

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Brooks said that season 5 could see Taystee going into war against the people responsible for everything and everyone she has lost.

"Taystee has nothing to lose, she's lost everything that she cared so deeply about," Brooks shared. "It's time to fight I think," she added.

Another plot rumor that has been making the rounds is the fate of Piper. It has long been rumored that the fifth season could be Schilling's final hurrah after portraying the show's main character for five years. She could either be killed or ultimately released from prison.

Based on recent speculations, Piper may face a near-death encounter with either her ex-lover Alex Vause (Laura Prepon) or her archrival Stella Carlin (Ruby Rose). She could get caught in the middle of Taystee's vengeful war, and may or may not survive the rumored encounter.

"Orange Is the New Black" season 5 is rumored to premiere sometime during the second quarter of 2017 on Netflix.