Nina Henderson
Following in Tatiana Maslany’s footsteps is no small feat. In the original five seasons of Orphan Black, Maslany portrayed an incredible array of characters, each with their own unique lives and personalities, all tangled in a complex web.
But fear not, because Krysten Ritter is ready to take on the challenge. In Orphan Black: Echoes, she embodies Lucy, a woman who awakens, or rather, partially awakens, after a mysterious procedure, with no recollection of who or when she is. As she ventures out into the daylight, the world appears unfamiliar. Does it seem strange to her? Is anything recognizable? We’ll have to wait and see.
Ritter’s dark hair and fair complexion aren’t the only visual “echo” from the original Orphan Black. The woman speaking to Lucy as she sits up, in a room reminiscent of a certain living room from the original series, bears a striking resemblance to Delphine (Évelyne Brochu) from the show. This teaser is meticulously crafted; as I watched Ritter adjust her cap while strolling down the street, I could almost envision Maslany doing the same.
This is an entirely new show, but it’s wise to embrace and emphasize the connections rather than disregarding what came before. The fresh cast includes Keeley Hawes, Amanda Fix, and Avan Jogia. Today, it was announced that Rya Kihlstedt and James Hiroyuki Liao will also be series regulars, with Kihlstedt portraying a brilliant neuroscientist and Liao as a powerful billionaire. Reed Diamond joins in a recurring role as the head of security (if you immediately thought of Dollhouse, you’re not alone). Anna Fishko, known for her work on Fear the Walking Dead, serves as the creator, writer, and executive producer of the series. Original Orphan Black co-creator John Fawcett is also an executive producer and will direct some episodes.
The remainder of this teaser is filled with disorienting flashbacks and terrifying laboratory scenes. It may not reveal much, but it’s enough to leave me incredibly intrigued.
Orphan Black: Echoes is set to premiere on AMC, BBC America, and AMC+ in 2024.
This post was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
