BBC Three acquires gripping conspiracy thriller Orphan Black

BBC Three has announced that it has acquired Orphan Black, a suspenseful thriller produced by BBC America, Bell Media and Temple Street Productions.

This exciting and ambitious 10-part drama is co-created by Graeme Manson and John Fawcett, with Manson also serving as writer and Fawcett as director. It is distributed internationally by BBC Worldwide.

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...

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."

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. Executive produced by Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (Being Erica), Graeme Manson (Flashpoint) and John Fawcett (Spartacus). It is shot on location in Toronto, Canada. Due to the success of the first series, a second series of Orphan Black has already been announced by BBC America.