‘Orange Is the New Black’ Aussie actress Yael Stone goes back to her roots

Yael Stone 2 — Cast member Yael Stone speaks at a panel for the NBCUniversal (Syfy) television series "Childhood's End" during the Television Critics Association Cable Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills, California August 12, 2015. Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

Aussie actress Yael Stone is not turning her back on her roots despite her success in Hollywood. The “Orange Is the New Black” actress intends to return Down Under to revisit the land where she began her acting career.

The Sydney-born actress admitted that although she now lives in New York, where OITNB is filming, she never forgets to tell everyone her Australian stories. Stone is currently in Australia for the production of Foxtel series’ “Picnic At Hanging Rock.” She is set to attend the Logie Awards 2017 on Sunday in Melbourne.

“That’s a priority of mine, to really have my feet on the ground here for a significant time. I’m trying to make it that I’m an Australian who works in Australia, and happens to work in the USA as well … It’s important to engage with Australian stories, it’s important to continue to connect with an industry that you value,” Stone told the Daily Telegraph.

The actress shared the challenges she faced during her first years in the US. She said she couldn't come home during the first couple of years in America due to financial reasons. “Now I’m lucky enough that the work affords me that freedom,” she added.

Stone is best known for her role as the hopeless-romantic and obsessive Lorna Morello in OITNB. Her breakout performance contributed to the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series award the show received from the Screen Actors Guild Awards since 2015 up to now. Critics praised the actress' portrayal, particularly her distinct accent, which is a mixture of Brooklyn and Boston.

In the series, Morello marries Vince Muccio (John Magaro), and in the previous season, she suspects that her sister is having an affair with her husband. Viewers last saw the couple having an intense fight on the phone. Will Morello and Vinny keep their relationship while she remains behind bars? Or will she rekindle her romance with Nicky Nichols (Natasha Lyonne)?

Stone is the not the only Aussie actor who rose to fame because of OITNB. Australia model/DJ Ruby Rose also found a break in Hollywood after she appeared in the Emmy-winning series as Stella Carlin. There is no official confirmation yet if Stella is coming back in Litchfield Penitentiary but reports indicate that she will.

Like Rose, Stone is expected to reprise her role in the upcoming fifth season of the Netflix drama/comedy series. Other fan-favourites confirmed to return are Taylor Schilling (Piper), Laura Prepon (Alex), Uzo Aduba (Crazy Eyes) and Danielle Brooks (Taystee). Dascha Polanco (Daya), Taryn Manning (Pennsatucky), Kate Mulgrew (Red), Lea DeLaria (Big Boo) and Nick Sandow (Joe Caputo) will be in Litchfield too.

“Orange Is the New Black” season 5 will start streaming on June 9 on Netflix in the US. The new season will be available for Australian fans starting June 10 via Netflix Australia and on Foxtel's Showcase channel.