New 'Orange is the New Black' season released early

The highly anticipated third season of Orange is the New Black released a few hours ahead of schedule Thursday.

The Netflix original series starring Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon, Uzo Aduba and Jason Biggs was scheduled for release in the wee hours of Friday morning at 3 a.m. eastern but instead became available for streaming at around 9 p.m. the night before.

"Released early for good behavior," read the service's mobile notification announcing the online event. As per Netflix's custom, all 13 hour-long episodes of the new season are available for streaming immediately so fans don't have to wait.

Thousands of OITNB lovers responded with shock and excitement to the news, immediately logging on to binge watch the show -- which would take at least 13 hours, minus bathroom breaks.

Season 4 of the wildly popular Netflix original, which is being hailed as a feminist classic by many, is already in the works. Reports say it will be released sometime in 2016.