EXCLUSIVE: Dascha Polanco Talks Impact of 'Orange Is the New Black': 'The First Step to Cause Change'

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Warning! This article contains spoilers from season five of OITNB. Do not proceed if you haven't watched the first episode of the new season.

For Dascha Polanco, the fifth season of Orange Is the New Black was an exercise in intensity.

EXCLUSIVE: Dascha Polanco Is 'Proud' of Her Character for 'Having a Moment' on 'OITNB': 'It's About Time'

As the hit Netflix show has delved even deeper into the socio-political issues surrounding inmate rights and private prisons, Polanco's character, Daya, with one bullet, sets off a full scale prison riot at Litchfield, which becomes the stage for the remainder of the season.

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ET caught up with the 34-year-old actress at the 2017 BET Awards about what shooting this season was like.

PHOTO: 2017 BET Awards: Red Carpet Arrivals

"[The season is] only three days, so there were moments where I'm like, 'Wait I'm still in the same clothes, still in the same emotional state for three days, within a six month period," she explained. "So it was a good exhaustion."

"A lot [of people have responded] in a positive way," Polanco continued. "A lot of conversation has come about us with a show like Orange. We're talking about women in prison that are having babies. These discussions that were swept under the rug are being brought to light ... that's the first step to cause change."

MORE: 'Orange Is the New Black' Refresher: Everything You Need to Know Ahead of Season 5

As for whether Daya will be back in season six... the actress is unsure.

"As in life when your in prison, you don't know if you'll survive, if you'll be transferred, if they'll keep you in there, if they set you free," she said. "We know there is a season six, but we don't know where destiny lies ... Unless I hire a psychic. Somebody tell me the future."

Orange Is the New Black is streaming on Netflix now.

WATCH: ‘OITNB’ Star Dascha Polanco Ditches Pants, Rocks Sexy Bodysuit at NYFW: Pics!

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