'Orange is the New Black' Team
Cast member Uzo Aduba speaks, as co-stars (from L-R) Natasha Lyonne, Laverne Cox, Danielle Brooks and Laura Prepon applaud, as they accept the award for Best Comedy Series for "Orange Is the New Black" at the 4th Annual Critics' Choice Television Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California June 19, 2014. Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

The much loved, colourful inmates are coming back soon. Netflix has announced that it is releasing all the 13 episodes of “Orange is the New Black” Season 3 on June 12. The new season promises to be brighter compared to Season 2.

[Spoiler Alert: If you have yet to watch the episodes of "Orange is the New Black" Season 2, read the article at your own risk as it contains some major spoilers of the already aired season]

Speaking about what to expect from the new season of Netflix’s original comedy, Lauren Morelli, writer of the show, said to Pittsburgh City Paper that “some of the joy comes back to Litchfield that was lost” in Season 2. She said that the last season of “Orange is the New Black” was “really dark,” as Vee was introduced as the antagonist and the writers wanted to see “what that force would do to the characters we started to love over a season.” Morelli added that Season 3 is a “natural rebound from that darkness.”

In addition to the return of the old characters, the new season is set to welcome new characters who are expected to add new colourful shades to the critically-acclaimed show. The new actors who have joined the Season 3 cast are Mike Birbiglia, Mary Steenburgen, Blair Brown, Marsha Stephanie Blake and Ruby Rose. Steenburgen will be making an appearance as Pornstache’s mother. Blake’s character will be arriving at the Litchfield prison as the new corrections officer while Ruby Rose has been roped in to play Stella Carlin, the beautiful inmate who will come between Alex Vause and Piper Chapman.

Meanwhile, as previously reported, “faith” will be one of the main themes that will be explored in Season 3, according to Jenji Kohan, creator of “Orange is the New Black.” In addition to that, the new season may put the focus back on Piper and Alex’s relationship, as Laura Prepon, who plays Alex, is returning as a series regular and will be seen in each of the 13 episodes.

The Season 2 of “Orange is the New Black” saw the character of Vause appearing in a limited number of scenes, as Prepon had signed on to appear as a special guest-star because of her other acting commitments. Vause is likely to be sent back to Litchfield prison, as her probation officer caught her with a gun pointing at him in Season 2 finale. Fireworks are expected when Vause finds out that it is Piper who had asked Polly to tip off the probation officer about her plans to skip town.

Jason Biggs and Pablo Schreiber, however, are not returning in the third instalment of Netflix’s original drama-comedy. Biggs, who played Piper’s ex-fiancé Larry Bloom, has said that the focus is not on his character in the upcoming season. However, there is always the possibility that Larry will make an appearance again in one of the future seasons.

For your feedback/comments on the article, contact the writer at a.shrivastava@IBTimes.com.au.

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