Space, BBC America, and Temple Street Productions announced earlier today that James Frain (INTRUDERS) has been cast in Season 3 of the critically acclaimed Canadian original series, ORPHAN BLACK. Also announced as new Season 3 cast members are Canadian actors Kyra Harper (WAREHOUSE 13), Ksenia Solo (LOST GIRL), and Earl Pastko (MURDOCH MYSTERIES). The announcement comes hot on the heels of therecently announced addition of Canada’s own Justin Chatwin (SHAMELESS) to the cast. Season 3 of the 10-episode, one-hour series is currently in production, and scheduled to premiere on Space in Spring 2015.
James Frain joins the cast as Ferdinand, a well-educated, Topside “cleaner” who is at the same time both charming and intimidating. Ferdinand is a powerful player in a secretive, multi-national political faction that operates with questionable ethics and a ruthless modus operandi.
Featured in a guest starring role this season is Justin Chatwin as Jason Kellerman. With rugged good looks and street-smarts, Jason is a savvy drug-dealer in the guise of a charismatic businessman.
Ksenia Solo plays Shay, a beautiful, soulful, and compassionate holistic healer with a great sense of humour, and new friend to Cosima (Maslany). Kyra Harper is Dr. Coady, a ruthless doctor and advisor to the military. Coady is outwardly the soul of reason, but her maternal, nurturing manner conceals an agenda that even her superiors do not suspect. Earl Pastko joins ORPHAN BLACK as Bulldog, the silent, imposing, and violent personal bodyguard to Ferdinand. Communicating with his boss by looks only, Bulldog carries out the dirty work of his shady employers.
Starring Golden Globe® nominee Tatiana Maslany as the “Leda Clones”, ORPHAN BLACK’s second season brought new, more treacherous, enemies to light, culminating in a shocking finale with the reveal of the new male “Castor” clones played by Ari Millen. Season 3 plunges the clone sisterhood into unexpected territory with the realization that they’re not alone. Just when they thought they knew their enemies and allies, Season 3 reveals the clones as more vulnerable than ever before, with the highly trained, identical male-soldier “Castor Clones” complicating matters. And though Sarah, Cosima, Alison, and Helena realize they are stronger together, this season puts that bond to the test.
The second season of ORPHAN BLACK is currently available on Blu-ray and DVD throughout Canada and is also available for purchase on iTunes.
ORPHAN BLACK is executive produced by Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (BEING ERICA), Graeme Manson (Cube, FLASHPOINT), and John Fawcett (SPARTACUS, Ginger Snaps). The series is co-created by Manson and Fawcett, with Manson also serving as writer and Fawcett as director. BBC Worldwide distributes the series internationally.
ORPHAN BLACK is produced by Temple Street Productions in association with Space and BBC America. Production Executive is Gosia Kamela. Trish Williams is Director, Drama, Independent Production, Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Tracey Pearce is Senior Vice-President, Specialty and Pay. Phil King is President, CTV, Sports, and Entertainment Programming.
