When Did I Become Us? New SPACE Original Series ORPHAN BLACK Premieres Saturday, March 30 at 9 p.m. ET

− The biological thriller premieres following the return of SPACE's #1 series DOCTOR WHO at 8 p.m. ET −

− ORPHAN BLACK stars Tatiana Maslany (Picture Day), Jordan Gavaris (DEGRASSI), Dylan Bruce (NCIS), and Maria Doyle Kennedy (DOWNTON ABBEY) −

"All we saw was a clip of this series about clones, but that was enough for me. All in." - Tim Goodman, The Hollywood Reporter

"ORPHAN BLACK … is a twisty, mind-bending sci-fi thriller." - Alex Strachan, Postmedia News

To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/121MZnP

TORONTO, Feb. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - What happens when one day you realize you're not alone, and there are people out there who look just like you? SPACE announced today that its highly anticipated new Original Series ORPHAN BLACK will premiere Saturday, March 30 at 9 p.m. ET, following the return of SPACE's #1 series, and fan favourite, DOCTOR WHO at 8 p.m. ET. Produced by Temple Street Productions for SPACE and BBC America, the gripping new 10 episode drama ORPHAN BLACK stars Tatiana Maslany (Cas & Dylan, Picture Day) in the lead role of Sarah, an outsider and orphan whose life changes dramatically after witnessing the suicide of a woman who looks just like her. Sarah assumes the dead woman's identity, her boyfriend, and her bank account. But instead of solving all her problems, the street smart chameleon is thrust headlong into a kaleidoscopic mystery. Sarah makes the dizzying discovery that she and Beth, the dead woman, are clones…but are they the only ones? Sarah quickly finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly conspiracy, racing to find answers.

"With a strong and relatable character at its core, ORPHAN BLACK is a series that truly embodies the spirit of SPACE," said Catherine MacLeod, Vice-President, Specialty Channels, Bell Media. "Grounded in the familiar, but packed with thrilling and phenomenal storylines, ORPHAN BLACK is the perfect companion for our #1 series, DOCTOR WHO."

** Media Note ** Download artwork, and cast and character bios for ORPHAN BLACK at BellMediaPR.ca/SPACE, and watch a promo for the series here.

ORPHAN BLACK also stars Jordan Gavaris (DEGRASSI) as Felix, Sarah's foster brother, a struggling artist worldly beyond his 23 years; Dylan Bruce (NCIS) as Paul, Beth's complicated boyfriend, who Sarah falls into bed with against her better judgment; Gemini Award-winner Maria Doyle Kennedy (DOWNTON ABBEY) as Mrs. S, Sarah and Felix's hard-nosed working class foster mother from across the pond; Kevin Blanchard (REPUBLIC OF DOYLE) as Art, a veteran detective who works alongside Beth; Michael Mando (THE KILLING) as Vic, Sarah's sporadically violent ex and the father of her daughter, Kira; and Skyler Wexler (ALPHAS) as Kira, Sarah's seven-year-old daughter.

Additional ORPHAN BLACK casting announced today includes Matt Frewer (50/50) as Dr. Aldous Leekie, an academic with an edge and philosopher of the human organism, and Evelyne Brochu (MIRADOR) as Delphine, a student working on her Masters in Molecular and Cellular Biology who becomes intertwined in the mystery.

Beginning life in an English orphanage, Sarah bounced between foster homes until she landed with Mrs. S, who adopted her and Felix, later uprooting them under somewhat suspicious circumstances to North America. Through it all, Sarah has steadfastly remained the English punk - a street-smart stray with a reckless streak and a loyal heart. She's made bad choices in life, but has always done right by her daughter Kira, even if that meant the pain of separation. Now, all she wants is to reunite with Kira and turn over a new leaf, but her encounter with Beth changes everything, and Sarah finds herself fighting for her life.

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

ORPHAN BLACK is produced by Temple Street Productions in association with SPACE and BBC America. Production Executives are Trish Williams and Gosia Kamela. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Catherine MacLeod is Vice-President, Specialty Channels, Bell Media. Rick Brace is President, Specialty Channels and CTV Production. Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
SPACE on Facebook
SPACE on Twitter
Tatiana Maslany on Twitter
Jordan Gavaris on Twitter
Maria Doyle Kennedy on Twitter
Michael Mando on Twitter

About Bell Media Independent Production
Bell Media has commissioned and co-produced some of Canada's most-watched and most-acclaimed original programming, while working with the best Canadian independent producers in the country. Hit CTV series include ratings success stories SAVING HOPE and THE LISTENER, and the recently concluded game changer FLASHPOINT. New for 2013 on CTV are the drama series MOTIVE and PLAYED (working title), relationship comedy SATISFACTION, THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, a Canadian-produced, complementary version of the hit international series, and a pilot for the half-hour comedy SPUN OUT. Scripted series on Bell Media specialty channels include two-time Emmy®-nominated hit DEGRASSI, mythological/action series PRIMEVAL: NEW WORLD, and the upcoming dramas ORPHAN BLACK and BITTEN. In total, Bell Media ordered 26 new original Canadian series in 2012, and put 35 scripted projects into development.

About SPACE
SPACE is Canada's national science fiction, horror and fantasy channel. SPACE is truly the station for all those who dare to challenge their imagination. SPACE is a division of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. For more information about SPACE, visit SPACEcast.com.

SOURCE: SPACE

Natalie Cole, SPACE, 416. 384.2140 or [email protected]
Christy Sullivan, SPACE, 416.384.3624 or [email protected]