When Sarah Manning (Tatiana Maslany) witnesses a woman who looks just like her jump in front of a train, she snatches an opportunity at a better life for her daughter. But taking on the deceased’s identity comes with complications that Sarah could never have pictured — until she comes face-to-face with herself, over and over and over again.

Orphan Black, a BBC America sci-fi show about a cloning experiment gone rogue, stars Maslany in her breakout role(s). By the end of the series’ five-season run, she played a total of 17 clones, each with unique mannerisms, backstories, and motivations. In addition to the critical praise garnered for her intense performances, she won Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the 2016 Emmys. The series was created by Graeme Manson (Snowpiercer) and John Fawcett (Man in the High Castle).

When will Orphan Black be released?

Stream all five seasons now.

Who’s in the cast of Orphan Black?

• Tatiana Maslany (3Below: Tales of Arcadia, Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans) as Sarah Manning, Elizabeth “Beth” Childs, Katja Obinger, Alison Hendrix, Cosima Niehaus, Helena, Rachel Duncan, Veera “M.K.” Suominen, Jennifer Fitzsimmons, Krystal Goderitch, Tony Sawicki, Miriam Johnson, Camilla Torres, and Unnamed Clone
• Jordan Gavaris (The Lake) as Felix Dawkins
• Maria Doyle Kennedy (Outlander, Sing Street) as Siobhan Sadler
• Kristian Bruun (The Recruit) as Donnie Hendrix
• Evelyne Brochu as (French Girl) Delphine Cormier
• Michael Mando (Better Call Saul) as Vic
• Ari Millen (Vicious Fun) as Mark Rollins
• Dylan Bruce (Midnight, Texas) as Paul Dierden 

What happens in Orphan Black?

Sarah Manning, a con artist and single mother, is trying everything she can to escape her abusive ex when a horrible tragedy becomes her golden ticket. A woman who looks identical to Sarah stepped onto the train tracks right in front of her — but not before leaving her bag on the platform. In that bag are the keys to Sarah’s new life: she’s now police officer Beth Childs. Armed with Beth’s house keys, firearm, and investigative privileges, Sarah moves her daughter into Beth’s house and picks up Beth’s life right where she left it. 

As Sarah struggles to blend into her new identity while also looking after her family, she stumbles upon the reason Beth walked off the train platform that fateful night. Beth had been secretly investigating a list of women who all looked identical to her — and Sarah. As Sarah starts to meet these women one by one, they begin to question where they all came from, why they were created, and why someone worked so hard to keep them apart. The closer they get to the truth, the higher the body — and clone — count gets. 

Is Orphan Black based on a book?

No, Orphan Black is not based on a book. 

Where does Orphan Black take place?

Orphan Black takes place all over the world. The series was shot primarily in Toronto, Canada.

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