Fresh from Her Emmy Nomination, Tatiana Maslany Returns as Production Begins on Season 4 of Space Original Series ORPHAN BLACK

− Emmy^®-nominated writer Semi Chellas consults on Season 4 –
− New directors include Peter Stebbings and David Wellington –
– Joel Thomas Hynes joins cast as Jordan Gavaris, Kristian Bruun, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Kevin Hanchard, Ari Millen, Josh Vokey, and Skyler Wexler return –
− Seasons 1 and 2 of ORPHAN BLACK are available now on CraveTV™ −

To tweet this release: http://bmpr.ca/1MULZye

TORONTO, Sept. 28, 2015 /CNW/ - Space, Temple Street Productions, and BBC America announced today that production has begun on Season 4 of the critically acclaimed original Canadian series, ORPHAN BLACK. Season 4 sees the return of the phenomenal Tatiana Maslany to her Golden Globe^® and Emmy^®-nominated role as multiple characters on the CSA and Peabody Award-winning series ORPHAN BLACK. The third season of this mind-bending thriller plunged into the clone sisterhood, as they came together to combat the new line of male "Castor" clones and their journey towards the truth of who, and what they are. In Season 4, Sarah returns home from Iceland to track down an elusive new ally tied to Beth's past. Sarah follows Beth's footsteps into a dangerous relationship with a potent new enemy, and uncovers a horrifying new facet of the conspiracy. The 10-episode fourth season shoots in Toronto on location and in studio until March 2016, and is set to premiere in Spring 2016.

"ORPHAN BLACK's many fans will be rewarded with an intense Season 4, which is shaping up to be a white-knuckle ride with more twists and turns than ever before," said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. "Together with our incredibly talented partners at Temple Street Productions, BBCA, and the extraordinary cast and crew, the bar continues to be raised on this outstanding production."

"The cast and crew of ORPHAN BLACK are thrilled to start work on Season 4 of our critically-acclaimed series," said David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg, executive producers of ORPHAN BLACK and Co-Presidents of Temple Street Productions. "The show continues to engage more fans from around the world with our gripping storyline led by the stellar Tatiana Maslany."

This season on ORPHAN BLACK, the near constant terror pushes everyone to their limit, particularly Sarah's daughter, Kira. Under pressure, Sarah's old habits begin to resurface. The clones are pulled in disparate directions and Sarah finds herself estranged from the loving relationships that changed her for the better.

** Media Note ** Download photography for ORPHAN BLACK at bellmedia.ca/pr/tv/space/

Returning to ORPHAN BLACK this season are fan-favourites Jordan Gavaris as Sarah's battle worn foster brother Felix; Kristian Bruun as Alison's incredibly devoted husband Donnie; Maria Doyle Kennedy as Sarah and Felix's fiercely loyal and stouthearted foster mother Mrs. S; Kevin Hanchard as Art, a detective torn between being a good cop and his loyalty to the clones; Ari Millen as a new type of clone; Josh Vokey as Scott, science geek and confidante to Cosima; and Skyler Wexler as Sarah's daughter Kira. Also returning this season is James Frain as Ferdinand, an intimidating and scheming executive; Alison Steadman as Kendall Malone, "the original" for both Leda and Castor clones; and Rosemary Dunsmore as Susan Duncan, Rachel's adoptive mother and one of the leading scientists of Project Leda. Joining the ORPHAN BLACK cast this season is Joel Thomas Hynes (REPUBLIC OF DOYLE) in the role of "Dizzy", an edgy, self-reliant hacker who doesn't conform to group mentality.

Spearheaded by co-creator Graeme Manson, the writing team includes Russ Cochrane,  (ROOKIE BLUE); Alex Levine (FLASHPOINT); Aubrey Nealon (SAVING HOPE); Kate Melville (DEGRASSI); Chris Roberts and Niko Troubetzkoy (THE LISTENER). Returning to direct is co-creator John Fawcett, along with David Frazee (FLASHPOINT); Aaron Morton (SPARTACUS: WAR OF THE DAMNED); Ken Girotti (VIKINGS, RESCUE ME); and Grant Harvey (BITTEN). New to the series to direct is Peter Stebbings (KILLJOYS) and David Wellington (SAVING HOPE, QUEER AS FOLK). At the start of the season, Emmy^®-nominated Canadian writer Semi Chellas (MAD MEN) consulted.

Season 3 of ORPHAN BLACK reached 3.8 million total viewers on Space, with an average of 282,000 viewers each week. Throughout the premiere broadcast of Season 3 of ORPHAN BLACK, Space ranked as the most-watched network for total viewers and Adults and Females 25-54, 18-49 and 18-34, among all Canadian specialty and pay and U.S. specialty networks.

ORPHAN BLACK is executive produced by Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (Being Erica), Graeme Manson (Cube, FLASHPOINT), and John Fawcett (SPARTACUS, Ginger Snaps). The series is co-created by Manson and Fawcett, with Manson also serving as writer and Fawcett as director. BBC Worldwide distributes the series internationally.

ORPHAN BLACK is produced by Temple Street Productions in association with Space and BBC America. 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 Head, Specialty and Pay, Bell Media. Randy Lennox is President, Entertainment Production and Broadcasting, Bell Media.

Source: Numeris (BBM Canada)

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About Bell Media Independent Production
Bell Media has commissioned some of Canada's most-watched and most-acclaimed original programming, working with the best Canadian independent producers in the country. Hit CTV series include ratings success stories SAVING HOPE, MOTIVE, the record-breaking THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, and MASTERCHEF CANADA. Among the scripted series on Bell Media pay and specialty channels are the internationally acclaimed ORPHAN BLACK, the smash-hit thriller BITTEN, Space's most-watched original series KILLJOYS, Bravo's most-watched original drama 19-2, award-winning dramedy SENSITIVE SKIN, and upcoming cult comedy, LETTERKENNY. Bell Media specialty channels are also home to hit factual series HIGHWAY THRU HELL, COLD WATER COWBOYS, and CANADA'S WORST DRIVER, among others.

About Temple Street Productions
Temple Street Productions is a leading producer of television and digital media content based in Toronto and Los Angeles. A selection of Temple Street's past and present projects include, ORPHAN BLACK (BBC AMERICA, Space), KILLJOYS (Syfy, Space), X COMPANY (CBC), BEING ERICA (CBC, SOAPnet), THE NEXT STEP (Family Channel), WINGIN' IT (Family Channel), MILLION DOLLAR CRITIC (W, BBC America), OVER THE RAINBOW (CBC), RECIPE TO RICHES (CBC, Food Network, Global), BILLABLE HOURS (Global, Showcase), CANADA'S NEXT TOP MODEL (CTV), HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA? (CBC) and DARCY'S WILD LIFE (NBC, Discovery Kids, Family Channel).  For more company information www.templestreetproductions.com twitter @TempleStreet or connect with us on Facebook.

About Space
Space is home to phenomenal programming including imaginative dramas, epic movies, engaging reality series, and the daily entertainment talk show INNERSPACE, the source for all-things genre, and Space original series after shows, AFTER THE BLACK and AFTERBITE. Named "Channel of the Year" in 2013 by Playback Magazine, Space is also home to original series ORPHAN BLACK, BITTEN and sci-fi drama, KILLJOYS. Space content is always available at Space.ca, and on Facebook, @SpaceChannel, and other social media platforms. Space is a division of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company.

SOURCE SPACE

Natalie Cole, Space, 416.384.2140 or [email protected]; Mary Costa, Space, 416.384.7702 or [email protected]