John Bennett, portrayed by Matt McGorry, was a character that quickly charmed audiences of Orange Is the New Black. As a correctional officer at Litchfield Penitentiary, his burgeoning relationship with inmate Dayanara “Daya” Diaz was a captivating storyline. However, fans were left in shock when Bennett abruptly disappeared in season 3. This departure raised numerous questions: Why did John Bennett leave Orange Is the New Black? What was the real reason behind Matt McGorry’s exit from the show? And what truly became of Bennett after he walked out of Daya’s life?
The Disappearance of Bennett in Orange Is the New Black Season 3
From his introduction in the early episodes of Orange Is the New Black, John Bennett stood out. His kind nature and genuine interest in Daya set him apart from many of the other correctional officers. Their forbidden romance developed throughout the first two seasons, culminating in Daya’s pregnancy. However, by season 3, the complexities of their relationship, especially Daya’s family and her mother’s boyfriend Cesar, began to surface. The storyline reached a turning point in season 3, episode 2, which marked the last appearance of the Orange is the New Black Bennett character.
In this episode, after proposing to Daya, Bennett makes a drastic decision. Witnessing the chaotic and potentially harmful environment that Cesar represented for his unborn child, Bennett quit his job at Litchfield and seemingly abandoned Daya. While Orange Is the New Black continued for several more seasons, Bennett was never seen again after this point. The show did imply that his departure from Daya’s life was permanent. Interestingly, Bennett’s exit coincided with the takedown of Cesar’s drug operation. Given Bennett’s knowledge of Cesar’s activities, a theory emerged suggesting he might have secretly tipped off law enforcement, leading to Cesar’s arrest. This theory, however, remained unconfirmed within the Orange Is the New Black narrative.
The Unresolved Fate of John Bennett After Leaving Daya
Despite the on-screen explanation for Bennett’s vanishing act, the narrative left his ultimate fate ambiguous. Dascha Polanco, the actress who brought Daya to life in Orange Is the New Black, has shared her personal interpretation of what happened to Bennett after season 3 and following the series finale. Polanco believes that Bennett never sought reconciliation with Daya and never met their child. Orange Is the New Black itself offered little to contradict this view. Beyond a few initial mentions of his disappearance in season 3, the character of John Bennett faded into obscurity, rarely referenced in the subsequent seasons of the show. This lack of closure left many viewers wondering about the true reasons behind Matt McGorry’s departure and the seemingly abrupt end to Bennett’s storyline.
Matt McGorry’s Perspective on Leaving Orange Is The New Black
Matt McGorry has openly discussed his complex feelings regarding his character, John Bennett, and his departure from Orange is the New Black. He emphasized the importance of dismantling the “romanticized bubble” surrounding Daya and Bennett’s relationship. McGorry highlighted the inherently problematic power dynamic, stating that any relationship between a correctional officer and an inmate could “never be legally considered consensual.” This complexity, according to McGorry, made a genuinely happy ending for Bennett and Daya highly improbable and arguably undesirable. He acknowledged fan reactions to Bennett being perceived as a “deadbeat dad,” but maintained that the narrative trajectory steered away from a simplistic, positive resolution due to the deeply complicated nature of their connection (as shared in a TV Guide interview).
“I wouldn’t have imagined that it would turn out well. I think that the version where they’re in prison together and he waits for her for her entire sentence, she gets out and they raise their kid happily, I think that’s less likely to be the case than something that would actually happen.”
While McGorry cited storyline considerations as the primary driver for his exit, he also alluded to other factors influencing casting decisions on Orange is the New Black. Echoing concerns raised by other cast members like Kimiko Glenn about compensation, McGorry revealed the challenging financial realities for actors on the show. He stated that his “day job” at the time provided better pay than his role on the “mega-hit TV show,” Orange Is the New Black. Therefore, the departure of John Bennett from Daya’s life in Orange Is the New Black may have been influenced by both narrative choices and Matt McGorry’s career progression toward projects like How to Get Away With Murder, which potentially offered more lucrative opportunities. In conclusion, John Bennett’s exit was a multifaceted event driven by storyline necessities and practical considerations for the actor portraying him.
