Brook Soso

Brook Soso, portrayed by Kimiko Glenn, is an inmate at Litchfield Penitentiary on the Netflix series Orange is The New Black.

She arrives at Litchfield after being arrested for environmental activism — specifically, protesting deforestation by living in a tree. Her flashbacks reveal a lifelong commitment to activism, including campaigning against Walmart alongside both her resentful ex-boyfriend and her current romantic interest, showcasing how her personal and political lives intertwine.

During her incarceration, Brook’s sexuality emerges as a key part of her character development. Her encounter with Nicky marks her first same-sex relationship at Litchfield, though she casually mentions it isn’t her first experience with women. Later, she forms a deeper romantic connection with Poussey, though initially hesitates to embrace it fully, having previously envisioned a heterosexual future for herself. This internal conflict gives way to self-acceptance, beautifully articulated in Season 4, Episode 3 when Brook states, “I’m attracted to people, not genders,” a line that perfectly captures her orientation-agnostic approach to love.

Tragedy strikes when Poussey dies, leaving Brook heartbroken. She spends the remainder of her sentence grieving this loss, a pain that lingers through Season 7 when fellow inmate Sankey shares a haiku Brook wrote about Poussey — a poignant moment hinting at Sankey’s own unspoken feelings for Brook while underscoring how profoundly Poussey’s death continues to affect her.

Throughout her arc, Brook evolves from an idealistic activist to a woman shaped by prison relationships, reflecting both the fluidity of sexuality and the enduring impact of love and loss.