The woman behind Audrey Horne describes returning to the world of coffee and cherry pie like "coming home".

It's been 26 years since the body of Laura Palmer washed up on the shore of Twin Peaks.

But now, with an 18-episode limited series dropping on Stan in May, the world is ready for more Twin Peaks -- and so is Sherilyn Fenn.

The 52-year-old, who starred as Audrey in the original series, describes returning to the world of coffee and cherry pie at the Double R Diner like "coming home".

"I was like a woman-child running around set," she tells TheFIX. "I was so excited. Probably more excited than I should be, it's not like we're curing cancer, for goodness sake."

The mystery series captivated a cult following for two seasons before the series ended in June 1991, and those fans have been clamouring for the show's return ever since.

Their prayers were answered in 2014 when it was announced that not only would the show be returning this year, but the storyline would be a continuation of the original series, rather than a remake or reboot.

Producer and screenwriter David Lynch returns, and he's brought most of the original cast with him, as well as new additions Naomi Watts, Amanda Seyfried, and Michael Cera.

Sherilyn, of course, is back as Audrey Horne – the once high school-aged femme fatale with an unrequited crush on FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan).

While the character of Audrey was created specifically for the then 24-year-old Sherilyn by series mastermind David, Sherilyn has since found quality roles increasingly difficult to come by.

The actress, who also had parts on Gilmore Girls and Shameless, says Hollywood's double-standard has made her career increasingly difficult.

"Everybody says you have more to give as you get older, however in the world of acting, you don't," the Michigan-born actress explains. "Because they just don't have roles for you. They don't celebrate a woman ageing.

"I think this is really hard. I really do. I think it's really hard...what they're asking women to do. I don’t have a lot positive to say about it. But we're worth so much more than that.

"I'm grateful that this show has come back, and I get to show that this is what 52 looks like."

Audrey's fate is unknown at the end of the original series (she was caught in a bomb blast while chained inside a bank vault) – but Sherilyn didn't give anything away when pressed by TheFIX for a clue.

"None of us are allowed to say anything," she teases. "I just hope there's more to come, I really do."

Fans can catch Sherilyn at Oz Comic-Con in Melbourne on 1-2 July where she'll answer questions about the show.

Parts 1-4 of Twin Peaks premiere May 22 on Stan, and the original episodes are streaming on there now.

Related: Twin Peaks season three trailer

