What happens when one day you realize you’re not alone, and there are people out there who look just like you? SPACE announced today that its highly anticipated new Original Series ORPHAN BLACKwill premiere Saturday, March 30 at 9 p.m. ET, following the return of SPACE’s #1 series, and fan favourite, DOCTOR WHO at 8 p.m. ET. Produced by Temple Street Productions for SPACE and BBC America, the gripping new 10 episode dramaORPHAN BLACK stars Tatiana Maslany (Cas & Dylan, Picture Day) in the lead role of Sarah, an outsider and orphan whose life changes dramatically after witnessing the suicide of a woman who looks just like her. Sarah assumes the dead woman’s identity, her boyfriend, and her bank account. But instead of solving all her problems, the street smart chameleon is thrust headlong into a kaleidoscopic mystery. Sarah makes the dizzying discovery that she and Beth, the dead woman, are clones…but are they the only ones? Sarah quickly finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly conspiracy, racing to find answers. “With a strong and relatable character at its core, ORPHAN BLACK is a series that truly embodies the spirit of SPACE,” said Catherine MacLeod, Vice-President, Specialty Channels, Bell Media. “Grounded in the familiar, but packed with thrilling and phenomenal storylines, ORPHAN BLACK is the perfect companion for our #1 series, DOCTOR WHO.”
ORPHAN BLACK also stars Jordan Gavaris (DEGRASSI) as Felix, Sarah’s foster brother, a struggling artist worldly beyond his 23 years; Dylan Bruce (NCIS) as Paul, Beth’s complicated boyfriend, who Sarah falls into bed with against her better judgment; Gemini Award-winner Maria Doyle Kennedy (DOWNTON ABBEY) as Mrs. S, Sarah and Felix’s hard-nosed working class foster mother from across the pond; Kevin Hanchard (REPUBLIC OF DOYLE) as Art, a veteran detective who works alongside Beth; Michael Mando (THE KILLING) as Vic, Sarah’s sporadically violent ex and the father of her daughter, Kira; and Skyler Wexler (ALPHAS) as Kira, Sarah’s seven-year-old daughter.
Additional ORPHAN BLACK casting announced today includes Matt Frewer (50/50) as Dr. Aldous Leekie, an academic with an edge and philosopher of the human organism, and Evelyne Brochu (MIRADOR) as Delphine, a student working on her Masters in Molecular and Cellular Biology who becomes intertwined in the mystery.
Beginning life in an English orphanage, Sarah bounced between foster homes until she landed with Mrs. S, who adopted her and Felix, later uprooting them under somewhat suspicious circumstances to North America. Through it all, Sarah has steadfastly remained the English punk – a street-smart stray with a reckless streak and a loyal heart. She’s made bad choices in life, but has always done right by her daughter Kira, even if that meant the pain of separation. Now, all she wants is to reunite with Kira and turn over a new leaf, but her encounter with Beth changes everything, and Sarah finds herself fighting for her life.
ORPHAN BLACK is executive produced by Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (BEING ERICA), Graeme Manson (Cube, FLASHPOINT), and John Fawcett (SPARTACUS, THE SECRET CIRCLE). The series is co-created by Manson and Fawcett, with Manson also serving as writer and Fawcett as director. BBC Worldwide is distributing the series internationally.
ORPHAN BLACK is produced by Temple Street Productions in association with SPACE and BBC America. Production Executives are Trish Williams and Gosia Kamela. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Catherine MacLeod is Vice-President, Specialty Channels, Bell Media. Rick Brace is President, Specialty Channels and CTV Production. Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports.
