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First Look: Orphan Black 3×01

The clones find themselves in all sorts of trouble this season on Orphan Black. Source: Provided
The clones find themselves in all sorts of trouble this season on Orphan Black. Source: Provided

It’s very easy to get lost within the world of Sarah Manning and her ‘seestras’.  Through a multitude of clones – Sarah, Alison, Cosima, Rachel, Helena and even Tony (all played by Tatiana Maslany) and secret government corporations and shady religious cults, words like Dyad, Proletheans, Leekie and Castro all began to become intertwined with one another.  For serious Clone Club card carrying Orphan Black fans, it’s easy to follow and understand but for fans like myself, we love the show but get to a point where we begin to ask “wait….is Dyad good?”

Oddly enough, with that surprise introduction of the male clones and the military based ‘project Castro’ in the closing moments of season two, the season three opener swiftly brings everyone and everything into place making it easy enough for fans like myself to know who stands where – for now.

Without offering spoilers, the season three opener can be described with a few simple words ‘sweet dreams are not made of these’ as we reconnect with a kidnapped and heavily pregnant Helena adjusting to her new surroundings with the help of a little stingy friend.

Sarah, Felix (Jordan Gavaris) and Kira (Skyler Wexler) are still none the wiser regarding Helena’s disappearance, Cosima (who received a stem cell transplant from Kira) looks to be on the mend, Rachel…well we know she’s one eye down now, Delphine (Évelyne Brochu) has made the move up the Dyad ladder while Alison is delving headfirst into re-instating her former social standing.  it’s not long however before we find our clones doing something we all love watching them do – play each other!

I’ts a general consensus that Maslany is a true talent, and it becomes cemented when we get to see her play Alison playing Sarah while Sarah plays Rachel all in the one scene.

Between the clones playing dress up, the male clones wanting information, Dyad trying to hold off cleaners, Delphine being all powerful and something called ‘Helsinki’ taking place, the season three opener could feel a bit hectic and trying to juggle too much at once, but without sounding like a broken record, it actually felt very easy to follow and continued with the quality of story-telling we’ve come to expect with Orphan Black.

Now it’s just a waiting game as to where this third season will take us.

Check out the extended preview below:

Orphan Black Season Three begins in Australia Tuesday, 21 April at 9.35pm on SBS 2

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Orphan Black Goes Dark – Season Three News!

Tatiana Maslanay as clone Cosima. Source: Provided
Tatiana Maslanay as ill-clone Cosima. Source: BBC America

“New Threats Come With Familiar Faces”

Time to unite together clone club members as our ‘sestras’ are in for a tough ride for Orphan Black’s third season with several new threats emerging from the shadows.

Revealed during the show’s TCA (Television Critics Association) panel on Saturday in Pasadena, one major threat will come in the form of Rudy aka scarface – one of the male clones revealed during the final episode of season two.

That final scene saw Sarah (Tatiana Maslany) come face to face with the crazy project castor clone, which immediately continues on in season three with the two talking and us discovering just how unhinged Rudy actually is.  “He likes to get under people’s skin.   He will just pick at you until you blow up and he’s won.” says Ari Millen during the TCA panel.

Image Credit: BBC America
Sarah and Rudy exchange words.  Image Credit: BBC America

Another new threat for the clones comes in the form of Topside (the organization that steers the DYAD group) agent or cleaner Ferdinand (James Frain) “He plays a really amazing, scary guy that’s come in from Topside,” EP John Fawcett said. “He’s a very dangerous threat to our girls.”

Things also get complicated for our favorite drinking mamma Alison when an ex-flame from high school comes to visit.  Played by Justin Chatwin, Alison’s ex, Jason Kellermen, is a savvy drug dealer who causes issues for Alison and husband Donnie.

Fawcett also let us all in on some news about Felix (Jordan Gavaris) for season three.  With the popularity between Felix and Alison played up during season two, we can expect Felix to connect with some of the other clones – namely Cosima who will be spending most of her time recovering in Felix’s apartment.

No word on what to expect with Helena, one eyed pro-clone Rachel, Mrs. S, Kira or any of the other side characters currently floating around the clone universe.

Orphan Black returns Saturday April 18th on BBC America in the US with airings expected to start shortly after on SBS 2 in Australia.

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Orphan Black Season 2 Continues to Shine.

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Paul (Dylan Bruce) finds himself torn between two waring groups Source: Supplied

It’s only been a few short weeks since the end of the awesome Orphan Black season one which aired on SBS2 (thank you!) and now, on Tuesday night, our memberships to the ‘Clone Club’ will earn a gold star as Sarah, Cosima, Alison and the rest of the characters return to our screens for a kicker brand new season.

Season one was all about who the clones were and now, season two will look at who created the clones and just who is the original clone.

When we last checked in, Sarah Manning (Tatiana Maslany) was standing at her daughter’s bedroom window with the realization that Kira had been kidnapped and needless to say, when Orphan Black returns on Tuesday night, no time is left wasted as Sarah blasts into overdrive to find her kidnapped daughter.

We are literally back with Sarah as she was when we first met her in season one, on the run and separated from her daughter, but this time round the stakes are much higher as we (the viewers) are utterly and wholly invested in Sarah and Kira.

The opening scene alone is filled with so much tension and action – and there’s only four characters involved – and we only know one of them…it’s the perfect opening to continue the head first ride we were dragged along with the first season.

Where the emphasis on Orphan Black’s first season was to identify and individualize each and every clone, we’re now in a comfortable enough place with the clones to focus on developments of certain outer characters in Sarah’s life including Paul (Dylan Bruce), Felix (Jordan Garvais) and Leekie (Matt Frewer) thus closing a glaring void that was very evident in the shows incredible first season.

Felix was the witty sidekick to Sarah’s urban grit, Paul was the ‘is he bad?  Is he good?’ guy and Leekie was your stock standard evil genius who was up-to no good but now that Cosima and Alison and the other clones have been so clearly identified we’re allowed a glimpse into these side players that are playing a bigger part in Sarah’s world than we could have ever imagined.

Tatiana Maslanay as clone Cosima. Source: Provided
Tatiana Maslanay as clone Cosima. Source: Provided

But this is not to say there will be any less focus on our favorite clones.  We’ll start to see dynamics change between the three main clones – Sarah, Alison and Cosima, who all find themselves dealing with the fallout of their actions from season one.  Alison is trying to move on with her life, trying to repair her image within her picture perfect white picket fence neighborhood, Cosima is torn between her love for Delphine and trying to find a cure to her illness while Sarah wants answers….but it she looking in the right direction?

Continuing in this second season, is the subtle touches of intentional light humor scattered among each episode.  From Alison’s shining moment in a community theater production to Felix’s positively on spot outfit choices to a moment between Sarah and a child on a bus – it’s evident these glimmers of light have become an integral part of the show allowing a slice away from the full force of darkness and intensity.

Orphan Black never really stopped hitting all the right marks in season one.  There was always something happening, something being revealed, something to grab your attention and force you to watch the next episode and after watching the first four episodes of season two, this fearlessness to give doesn’t stop.

Orphan Black season 2 begins Tuesday Night, 8:30pm – April 22nd on SBS 2 or for those who can’t wait till then, is now available via SBS on demand now!

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Orphan Black Full Length Season Two Trailer Released

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Cosima (Tatiana Maslany) searches for clues into her illness

It’s here!  After several teaser videos via the BBC America Instagram account, the network have finally released a first look trailer of what’s coming up in the highly anticipated second season of Orphan Black.

From action, romance, kidnappings, knife fights…this trailer has got a lot of members of the clone club excited!

Check out the trailer below:

Orphan Black Season 2 kicks off April 19th on BBC America with a date to be announced for Australia on SBS2

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Orphan Black Season 2 Mini Trailer Surprises

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Tatiana Maslany as Neolutionist pro-clone Rachel

Talk about making us all anxious for the new season of Orphan Black!  The show is releasing season 2 mini trailers every day for 8 days through the official Orphan Black Instagram page.

The first mini trailer, posted on Wednesday, shows Sarah (Tatiana Maslany) having a fisty cuff fight (with guns included) with Neolutionist pro-clone Rachel.  “Nobody lays hands on me,” Rachel warns. “You don’t own us,” Sarah replies as she points a gun to Rachel’s head.

While in yesterdays (Thurs 27th Feb) clip sees Cosima (Tatiana Maslany) narrating “This is my biology. This is my decision” with inter-cut scenes of needles and swabs.

Both mini trailers can be found below:

Season 2 of Orphan Black premieres April 9th on BBC America (USA)

Season 1 of Orphan Black is currently on repeats on SBS2 (AUS)

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Orphan Black Season 2 News and Spoilers!

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Tatiana Maslany from BBC’s Orphan Black

When BBC America’s Orphan Black returns on April 19th (for Aussies, season one airing on SBS2 – no date for season two yet), expect to see an extended cast roster as Sarah, Cosima and the other clones fight to save their lives and identities from the Neolutionists.

Actress Michelle Forbes (The Killing, True Blood) has signed on to appear in the sci-fi hit show’s second season and recently spoke with BBC about the role – although, keeping very tight lipped about what to expect.

When asked about her role as Dyad Agent Marion Bowles for the second season, Forbes says “Marion Bowles has lot invested in the clones. In their science. I’ll leave it at that.”  Forbes added that she hadn’t seen the show before being cast, but has since watched and adored and is in awe of lead Tatiana Maslanay’s performance of all the clones.

Rachel and Sarah face off in season 2
Rachel and Sarah face off in season 2

In addition to Forbe’s as Marion Bowles, Season 2 will introduce new characters to the clone world including Cal Morrison (played by Michiel Huisman) and Henry ‘Hank’ Johanssen (Peter Outerbridge) who is a modern day cowboy leading a gang that have broken off from the Prolethean brotherhood.

Orphan Black’s second season will kick straight into Sarah’s frantic search for her kidnapped daughter Kira while a season length story-line will see a power struggle between Rachel Duncan and Sarah (both played by Tatiana Maslany).

Also expect some tension to rise between Sarah and Felix (Jordan Gavaris) as Felix’s back story is delved into and we learn more about Sarah’s best friend and confidant.  Orphan Black creator Graeme Manson stated we will learn more about Sarah’s past while Alison will find herself consumed by bthe mystery surrounding Aysnleys (Natalia Lisinska) death and Cosima will find herself in a heart-breaking situation while battling a mystery illness.

Orphan Black Season 2 premiere’s on BBC America on April 19th

SBS2 premiere date to come!

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Orphan Black Season 2 Air Date Announced

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Card carrying members of the clone club can rejoice!  Orphan Black’s long awaited season 2 air date has finally been announced! Bad news is that we will have to wait until April 19th next year before catching with Sarah and her clones.

The news was revealed during BBC America’s screening of “Doctor Who’s” “The Day Of The Doctor” 50th anniversary special along with a very quick teaser trailer (which can be watched below!)

The official synopsis of season two states: Season 2 of the series hits the ground running with Sarah (Tatiana Maslany) in a desperate race to find her missing daughter Kira (Skyler Wexler, Carrie). Her scorched earth tactics spark a war with pro-clone, Rachel (Maslany), dividing and imperiling all the clones. As Sarah discovers more about her past, mysterious newcomers appear, but can they be trusted?

Back in September, it was revealed that production on season two had begun with lead Tatiana Maslany back along with Jordan Gavaris, Dylan Bruce and Maria Doyle Kennedy all returning for the new episodes.   “We’re truly amazed at the incredible response we received from TV critics and fans alike since the beginning of this series,” David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg, executive producers and co-presidents at Temple Street Productions, said in a statement. “We’re delighted to have the opportunity with our supportive partners BBC America and Space to continue on this amazing journey and to answering some of the impending questions fans were left with from the end of last season.”

Orphan Black season 1 is set to air for the first time in Australia on SBS2 in early 2014.

 

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SBS2 Picks Up Orphan Black and The Walking Dead

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Tatiana Maslany as emotionally damaged Helena in SBS2’s Orphan Black

Finally!  I can happily say one of – if not the best new shows to air this year – BBC America’s sci-fi action drama Orphan Black is FINALLY coming to our screens and it’s thanks to SBS2 it was announced yesterday.  SBS2 also announced they will be airing slow-tracked episodes of The Walking Dead (the first on free-to-air in Australia) starting from season 1.

For those who are not in the loop, Orphan Black has been touted as literally one of the best new shows of 2013 and has generated a slow burn cult following that now has many many people (myself included) hanging for more.  The premise of Orphan Black see’s a down-on-her-luck Sarah Manning (the incredibly talented Tatiana Maslany who was clearly robbed of any sort of acting nomination) who’s life changes dramatically upon witnessing a woman of similar appearance to her, jump in front of an on-coming train.  Before she knows it, Sarah’s life is turned upside down and will never be the same again!

The show is incredibly fast-paced.  We learn something new with each episode, but end up with more questions (just to keep us hanging) and every single episode keeps smashing along with a bang while introducing an interesting array of characters, each with their own personalities that you’ll either love, hate or love to hate!  You’ll find yourself questioning who can and can’t be trusted!  Without spoiling too much, the theme of human cloning is the basis of this series.

The Walking Dead most of us know and love and i’m not going to rattle on too much about it, but for those, like me, who originally tried to watch the show when it first began and couldn’t understand the mix of drama and zombies, then this is the perfect opportunity to give it a second shot.  For those who have already seen it, this is a great chance to relive those classic first episodes!

The Walking Dead is slated to start Tuesday November 19th on SBS2 (Check your local guide for times) while Orphan Black begins early 2014 on SBS2!!

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One to Watch: Orphan Black

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Tatiana Maslany as Sarah in BBC America’s Orphan Black

Mix the drama of Alias and Ringer with the action of Nikita and you have BBC America’s new action/drama/sci-fi show – Orphan Black.

The show follows Sarah, an outsider with personal and financial issues trying desperately to turn her life around only to have it completely change after witnessing the suicide of a woman who looks identical to her.  Sarah assumes the woman’s identity, bank account and boyfriend, only to find, this new identity may have more issues than her own.

The street smart Sarah must think on her feet as she’s thrust into an unknown world where she makes the startling discovery that she may actually be a clone, and if so, how many copies of her are there?  Sarah quickly finds herself caught in The middle of a deadly conspiracy and must race to find answers about who she is and how many others there are just like her.

While there are no ‘known’ actors in this show, it’s fast paced, well acted and will have you on the edge of your seat wanting more!

‘Orphan Black’ is yet to premiere on Australian screens, but currently airs on BBC America, Saturday nights, in the US.