Katie Holmes almost took the lead role in Orange is the New Black.

The former Dawson's Creek star was approached by creator Jenji Kohan to play Piper Chapman - the bisexual drug-smuggling prisoner played by Taylor Schilling - in the Netflix drama but turned it down because she had other commitments.

"I'm a big fan of hers. You know, I met with her. [Katie] had other things to do. And also in the beginning, no one knew what this was," Jenji told E! Online.

While she initially turned down the program, the cast of the drama would love Katie to make a guest appearance on the show. When asked who Katie could play, Taylor said, "[Katie] could be friends with Lorna or like Lorna's Boston sister."

And Kate Mulgrew - who plays Red - joked the brunette beauty would have to be careful if she did end up behind bars at Litchfield Prison: "She better watch herself. Pretty girls have to watch out in prison."

The Giver actress - who has eight-year-old daughter Suri with ex-husband Tom Cruise - recently admitted she is a big fan of Orange is the New Black and would be interested in a cameo role. When asked if it meant she could show off secret body art, she laughed, "No, I don't have any tattoos. My child would kill me."