The New Orange

Sydney actress Yael Stone had been racking up some impressive credits on stage and screen at home, but her yearning for “an adventure quest” saw her relocate to New York City. She hadn't been stateside long before she auditioned for a TV comedy-drama about life in a women's prison. The show was Orange Is The New Black, adapted from Piper Kerman's memoir of life behind bars by Weeds creator Jenji Kohan, and Stone landed the role of Lorna Morello, whose red lipstick and distinctive east coast accent has made her one of the series' most notable characters. Orange Is The New Black has been warmly received by critics and audiences alike, with a second season set to air soon and a third season recently given the green light.

“It's good to be a little bit terrified,” she says. “I've found America has been a little more open for me when it comes to film and television. I was able to do so many wonderful things in the theatre in Australia, and I was so lucky to be able to do that, but working on Orange... here I've been able to have a real inventive experience creatively. I've been able to create a space around myself and then create something within that space.”

Stone initially auditioned for the role of Nicky Nichols, Lorna's jailhouse lover, but admits she wasn't quite right for the role. But the show's casting directors saw something in her that suited the part of Lorna, and when Stone was given a scene to read she went for it, aware that sometimes the best course of action is “to be willing to fall flat on your face and make an absolute fool of yourself”.

“Sometimes taking that leap of faith is a good move!” she laughs.

One of the boldest moves Stone has made in her portrayal of Lorna is the character's voice, a Boston-New Jersey hybrid that has bemused a few US viewers but delighted more. “I'll take the delight. I'm just happy no one has asked me to leave the country!”

The cast has been praised by admirers of the show, not only for the line-up's talent but also its diversity. But even though the actors are “black, white, Hispanic, gay, straight, transgender”, the discussion surrounding the actors and their characters has become less about gender and sexuality and more about people and personalities. “We are changing the conversation, and I can't tell you how extraordinary it is to be part of that.”

Orange Is The New Black's first season is now available on home video, and new episodes will be airing on Foxtel in a matter of months. Stone says the show will be going deeper and darker in terms of character and storylines. “While it's essentially a comedy with some dramatic moments, even the comedy has a very black Jenji Kohan feel to it. Season two has a lot more of that.”