By Kristin Gaffney | Echo
"Orphan Black" is a triumph of acting, a brilliantly written show that revitalizes the worn-out concept of clones. The latest BBC offering to break into the U.S., the series follows in the footsteps of shows such as "Doctor Who" and "Downton Abbey." Shows like these have recently inspired a renewed interest in British television, and "Orphan Black" is no exception.
The story begins when Sarah Manning, a troubled slacker trying to regain custody of her daughter, witnesses the suicide of a woman who looks exactly like her. Sarah seizes the opportunity for quick cash and an escape from her abusive boyfriend and decides to impersonate the dead woman. However, she stumbles into an investigation over the origins of an impossible number of women, all of whom are her clones.
Tatiana Maslany stars as Manning, three side characters, several dead bodies, a main antagonist and a few shadowy figures in the background. Her characters range from Allison, a young suburban mother; to Cosima, a college biology student trying to uncover the mystery of her DNA; to Helena, an insane murderer dedicated to killing the other clones.
Maslany has received several nominations for her ability to portray a variety of personalities for her clones, giving each a unique trait. A talented cast of actors such as Jordan Gavaris as Manning's foster brother and Kevin Hanchard as an ex-mercenary, with a colorful array of mad scientists, detectives and gangsters fill out the rest of the cast. However, be warned: while the show is creative and well-written it does contain some intense violence and other questionable content.
The show mostly blends action, romance, horror, angst and love into one highly addictive narrative. The second season of "Orphan Black" is set to premiere in April 2014.Thumbnail photograph courtesy of poster-bbcamerica.com.
