Send in the clones. The Orphan Black TV show has been renewed for a fifth and final season on BBC America and Space (Canada), leaving the show effectively cancelled. The Canadian sci-fi thriller, created by screenwriter Graeme Manson and director John Fawcett, stars Tatiana Maslany as protagonist Sarah Manning and several identical clones.
The Orphan Black TV series cast also includes: Jordan Gavaris, Kevin Hanchard, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Ari Millen, and Kristen Bruun. The Orphan Black season four finale, “From Dancing Mice to Psychopaths,” airs tonight.
The news is not yet up on BBC America’s press site, but Variety confirmed that renewal. Here is the Space press release, with all the details.
Space Announces Fifth and Final Season of Ground-Breaking Original Thriller ORPHAN BLACK
– Space confirms 10 additional one-hour episodes of ORPHAN BLACK Season 5 to premiere in 2017 –
– Temple Street, a division of Boat Rocker Media, produces ORPHAN BLACK in partnership with Space and BBC America –
– Season 4 finale airs tonight at 10 p.m. ET on Space, followed by an all-new episode of AFTER THE BLACK –June 16, 2016
TORONTO (June 16, 2016) – Space announced today the renewal of the fifth and final season of critically-acclaimed original series, ORPHAN BLACK. The clone conspiracy thriller sees the return of the award-winning Canadian actress Tatiana Maslany in her multiple versatile roles as the clone sisters. An additional 10, one-hour episodes are set to air in 2017 on Space. The Season 4 finale of the Peabody-winning series airs tonight at 10 p.m. ET on Space, followed by the finale of fan-favourite insider series, AFTER THE BLACK. The first three seasons of ORPHAN BLACK are streaming now on CraveTVTM.
“The fourth season took viewers down a rabbit hole deeper into the heart of the conspiracy and explored what viewers were yearning to see – Beth’s back story. After the roller coaster ride of Season 4, we were left on the edge of our seats,” said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. “Season 5 promises to take us into uncharted territories, where the stakes are higher than ever. Knowing the prowess of the ORPHAN BLACK creative team, I’d say, fasten your seatbelts.”
“ORPHAN BLACK has transcended the landscape of Canadian television, and it has been an honour for the Bell Media family to bring this revolutionary series to our fervent and devoted audience,” said Tracey Pearce, Senior Vice-President, Specialty and Pay, Bell Media. “We look forward to taking fans on one final journey with our clone ‘sestras’ alongside the genius team of writers, the entire cast and crew including the awe-inspiring Tatiana Maslany, and our production partners Temple Street and BBC America.”
“We are excited to deliver an epic conclusion to the tale of Sarah and her clone sisters,” said co-creators John Fawcett and Graeme Manson. “The past four seasons have been a phenomenal adventure and we are eternally grateful to our loyal fans who have loved the twists and thrills of our weird little show. We are thankful to our partners at Temple Street, Space and BBC America for their support, and giving us the opportunity to end on a high.”
“When we embarked upon this journey with John and Graeme, we knew we had something special on our hands, but didn’t imagine how deeply it would resonate with audiences, and the worldwide acclaim it would receive,” said David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg, Executive Producers of ORPHAN BLACK and Co-Presidents of Boat Rocker Studios. “We are truly in awe of Tatiana who each season pulls off the impossible, and brings each clone’s unique personalities to life in an extraordinarily captivating way. We are so proud of the cast and crew, who will be on this final ride with us as we draw the ORPHAN BLACK story to a close, and are extremely thankful to our partners at Space and BBC America for their continued support, as well as the legions of fans who have made these five seasons possible.”
In the Season 4 finale of ORPHAN BLACK “From Dancing Mice to Psychopaths” (June 16 at 10 p.m. ET), when communication with Cosima is cut off and Neolution appears to be within striking distance, Sarah’s alliance with Rachel goes out the window. Sarah lures a high-level Neolutionist into a trap, and sets out to bring down Neolution once and for all. For new episode images, click here.
After a hair-raising season of emotional flashbacks (Beth’s back-story), shocking reveals (Delphine is alive) and of course, new, game-changing clones, (M.K., Ira), Space’s original insider series AFTER THE BLACK provides closure for Season 4 of ORPHAN BLACK tonight, Thursday, June 16 at 11 p.m. ET, following the season finale of ORPHAN BLACK. In this star-studded episode, hosts Ajay Fry and Morgan Hoffman sit with the inimitable Tatiana Maslany, Kevin Hanchard, and Kristian Bruun, for their take on the season’s shocking reveals, memorable moments, and behind-the-scenes secrets.
ORPHAN BLACK is produced by Temple Street, a division of Boat Rocker Studios, in association with Space and BBC America. Executive producers are Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier and Kerry Appleyard of Temple Street, Graeme Manson and John Fawcett. “Orphan Black” is distributed by BBC Worldwide. Production Executive is Gosia Kamela. Tom Hastings 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, Bell Media. Randy Lennox is President, Entertainment Production and Broadcasting, Bell Media.
What do you think? Are you a fan of the Orphan Black TV series? Do you think it is right to end it after the fifth season, or should run longer?
Please don’t end!
Absolutely love Orphan Black. Please don’t cancel.
I adore Orphan Black. Great show great characters. I hope the network changes their nind.