BBC Three acquires ‘Orphan Black’

BBC Three to air hit US conspiracy thriller ‘Orphan Black’

BBC Three has announced that it has acquired BBC America’s 10-part suspense thriller Orphan Black.

Perry Simon, General Manager of BBC America, says: “Orphan Black has met with terrific excitement in the US from critics, the audience and across social media. Graeme and John have created an intricate web that keeps you guessing at every turn and at the heart of the action Tatiana Maslany’s performance is simply dazzling. We couldn’t be more pleased that UK viewers are getting the chance to join in the fun.”

Rising star Tatiana Maslany (The Nativity, Picture Day) plays Sarah Manning, an outsider and orphan whose life changes dramatically after witnessing the suicide of a woman who looks exactly like her. Sarah assumes her identity, her boyfriend and her bank account. But instead of this solving her problems, the street-smart chameleon is thrust headlong into a kaleidoscopic mystery. Sarah quickly finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly conspiracy and must race to find answers about who her doppelganger really is…

Orphan Black also stars Jordan Gavaris (Degrassi) as Sarah’s foster brother Felix; Dylan Bruce (As The World Turns) as Paul, Beth’s boyfriend and Maria Doyle Kennedy (Downton Abbey) as Mrs S, Sarah’s foster mother.

Sue Deeks, Head of Programme Acquisition, adds: “Orphan Black is an intriguing roller-coaster ride of a thriller with a complex and engaging plot and a virtuoso performance by Tatiana Maslany – we are delighted that it is going to be part of BBC Three’s upcoming schedule.”

Executive producers are, Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (Being Erica), Graeme Manson (Flashpoint) and John Fawcett (Spartacus).

The drama is produced by BBC America, Bell Media and Temple Street Productions. Co-created by Graeme Manson and John Fawcett, with Manson also serving as writer and Fawcett as director.

Orphan Black is filmed on location in Toronto, Canada. Due to the success of the first series, a second series has already been commissioned by BBC America.