Samira Wiley and Lauren Morelli of ‘Orange is the New Black’ announced the birth of their first baby on Mother’s Day

Fans of the “Orange is the New Black” will be excited to hear that stars Samira Wiley and Lauren Morelli recently welcomed a new baby into their family. Wiley (who starred as Poussey Washington in the Netflix comedy-drama) shared the exciting news about the birth on Instagram this past Mother’s Day.

“Happy 1st Mother’s Day to my beautiful wife, who four weeks ago today after laboring for almost 3 days gave birth to our first child—our gorgeous daughter, George.💜 Welcome to the world, babygirl,” Wiley wrote on Instagram. “We love you and we thank you for giving us the best 1st Mother’s Day two ladies could ask for. George Elizabeth 4.11.2021 💜”

And on her Instagram page, Morelli, who was a writer on OITNB, wrote, “4 weeks ago today, our daughter came into the world and changed everything. We are so happy, so grateful, and so tired. George Elizabeth, 4.11.21 ❤️”

“OINTB” costars like Natasha Lyonne, Jackie Cruz, Elizabeth Rodriguez and Kimiko Glenn were quick to hop on Instagram and send lots of love and well-wishes to the new parents. And Wiley’s costars from Hulu’s “Handmaid’s Tale” (in which she plays Moira) were also on hand to offer their congratulations, including Madeline Brewer (who plays Janine).

Samira Wiley And Lauren Morelli’s Love Story

Wiley and Morelli wed in 2017. The couple met in 2012 on the set of “Orange is the New Black.” After spending time together working on Poussey’s character development, the two became fast friends. But it wasn’t long before Morelli started to wonder if there was something there.

“Samira became the person I felt safe talking to,” said Morelli to Martha Stewart magazine. At the time they met and became friends, Morelli was still married to producer Stephen Basilone. However, she sensed the end of the relationship was near and began to heavily rely on Wiley.

“I was so confused, and it was such a scary time that I think our romance came out of me leaning on her when it felt like my life was falling apart,” Morelli said.

For her part, Wiley has said waiting for Morelli to accept her sexual orientation wasn’t always easy. But together they both learned how to embrace their truth and how to navigate being gay in a society that can often stigmatize the LGBTQ+ community.

“There’s this Sara Bareilles song we love called ‘I Choose You.’ For so long in our relationship, I wasn’t ‘the one.’ I was just waiting and being supportive of Lauren’s journey,” Wiley said to Elite Daily. “To see her embrace her sexual orientation the way she has is like that song: ‘I choose this life as a gay woman, and we choose to spend this life together.’ I think — I know — I would not be where I am without Lauren. When I was first being thrust into the public eye, I wouldn’t talk about my orientation. Being with Lauren taught me self-love.”

Becoming queer icons hasn’t been always for the couple. In fact, when Wiley’s sexual orientation was revealed against her will by a fellow cast member of “OINTB,” Wiley was in tears and fought to get the article taken down.

“Everyone’s journey is their own,” Wiley said on the WYNC’s “Nancy” podcast. “You should be able to come out on your own terms.”

Thankfully, Wiley and Morelli have stayed strong even in a culture that isn’t always welcoming to LGBTQ+ couples, overcoming the odds and now welcoming a sweet baby girl into their family. Congrats to the new moms!