BBC America has been on quite a roll the last few years, both with hit shows imported from across the pond like "Doctor Who" and "Broadchurch," as well as its own slate of original programming. Some of those original shows have fared better than others (sorry, "Copper"), but the breakout hit of the originals category is undoubtedly clone saga "Orphan Black."
Good news for fans of those many, many clones: "Orphan Black" has been renewed for a third season. Having recently aired its second season finale, the show is hotter than ever. Season 2 got consistently glowing reviews from critics and reportedly doubled its ratings from Season 1.
General manager Perry Simon claimed that this marks the first time in history that an ad-supported drama doubled its ratings from one season to the next. It's the second most-watched show on BBC America, after "Doctor Who."
In related news, "Orphan Black" fans are today lamenting the show's lack of recognition by the just-announced 2014 Primetime Emmy Awards nominations. Despite awards and nominations from the likes of the Golden Globes, Peabody Awards, Hugo Awards, Critics' Choice Awards, and others, "Orphan Black" has yet to score a single Emmy nomination.
Star Tatiana Maslany (the most sophisticated name for a television star since Julianna Margulies) has gotten the majority of the credit for the show's success, and rightfully so, making her Emmy snub all the more frustrating to fans. Her masterful interpretation of the show's five main clones (and many others) would be an exhausting mental and physical challenge for any actor, but Maslany makes it look easy, imbuing each clone with a distinctive personality, accent, and body language.
Forthcoming originals from BBC America include "Intruders," "The Game," "Tatau" and "The Last Kingdom." "Intruders," starring John Simm and Mira Sorvino, follows a secret society that uses others' bodies to attain immortality.
"The Game" is a serialized spy drama set during the Cold War, where a secret MI5 team sets out to uncover a devastating Soviet plot. "Tatau," from the creators of "Being Human," is a South Pacific adventure about a twenty-something man that gains the ability to see glimpses of the future after acquiring a mysterious tattoo.
"The Last Kingdom" is an adaptation of Bernard Cornwell's best-selling "The Saxon Stories." A historical drama set in 9th Century England when invading Vikings go to war against native Saxons, the story follows an orphaned Saxon raised by Vikings.
"Orphan Black" will return with Season 3 sometime in 2015.
