BBC AMERICA'S HIT ORIGINAL SERIES "ORPHAN BLACK" BEGINS PRODUCTION ON SEASON FOUR

Emmy(R) Nominated Star Tatiana Maslany Returns to her Breakout Role

Toronto - September 28, 2015 - BBC AMERICA announced today that production has begun on season four of the Peabody Award-winning series, Orphan Black. Tatiana Maslany (Two Lovers and a Bear, Woman in Gold) returns to her Emmy(R) nominated role as multiple clones in the critically-acclaimed pulsating thriller (10 x 60). The explosive third season plunged the clone sisterhood into dangerous territory where they faced the threat of extermination by forces old and new. Banding together, they defeated their most formidable foes - male clones who also happened to be their blood brothers. But while it appears their tactics and allegiances have left them all clear to move forward, the past will reappear to haunt their future. Orphan Black is produced by Temple Street Productions in association with BBC AMERICA and Bell Media's Space.

Award-winning Maslany wowed audiences in season three, playing seven recurring characters including British street-wise chameleon Sarah, suburban drug-dealer and soccer mom Alison, love-struck scientist Cosima, Ukrainian wildcard Helena, disfigured professional Rachel, ghost Beth Childs - the detective who committed suicide at the inception of the series - and the newly introduced Krystal, a ditzy aesthetician trying her best to piece together the puzzle of her life. Throughout three seasons, Maslany has played 13 clones that have helped earn her first Emmy(R) and SAG nominations, two Critics' Choice awards and a Golden Globe(C) nomination.

Season four of the drama will see leader-of-the-pack, Sarah, reluctantly return home from her Icelandic hideout to track down an elusive and mysterious ally tied to the clone who started it all - Beth Childs. Sarah will follow Beth's footsteps into a dangerous relationship with a potent new enemy, heading in a horrifying new direction. Under constant pressure to protect the sisterhood and keep everyone safe, Sarah's old habits begin to resurface. As the close-knit sisters are pulled in disparate directions, Sarah finds herself estranged from the loving relationships that changed her for the better.

"Orphan Black has touched a remarkable chord with fans the world over and continues to delve into provocative subject matter with a sure and entertaining touch," says Sarah Barnett, President and General Manager, BBC AMERICA. "Tatiana's performance is quite frankly phenomenal, proving quite convincingly, there is nothing else like Orphan Black on television, and no one like Tatiana Maslany."

"The cast and crew of Orphan Black are thrilled to start work on season four 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."

Returning this season is Jordan Gavaris as Sarah's battle worn foster brother Felix, Maria Doyle Kennedy as Sarah and Felix's foster mother Mrs. S, Kristian Bruun as Donnie, Alison's partner-in-crime and husband, Kevin Hanchard as Art, Beth's detective partner who's torn between his job and his loyalty to the clones, Skyler Wexler as Sarah's long-suffering daughter Kira, Ari Millen as a mysterious new Castor clone, the likes of which we've never seen before and Josh Vokey as Scott, Cosima's lab partner. Also returning this season is James Frain as Ferdinand, an intimidating "cleaner" for shadowy organization, Topside, Allison Steadman as Kendall Malone, "the original" 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 as Dizzy, an edgy, self-reliant hacker who doesn't conform to group mentality. Additional casting for the series will be announced in the coming weeks.

Orphan Black is co-created by Graeme Manson (Cube, Flashpoint) and John Fawcett (Spartacus, Ginger Snaps), with Manson also serving as writer and Fawcett as director; and executive produced by Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier. The international hit series is distributed by BBC Worldwide and can be seen in more than 170 countries. The first three seasons are currently available on Blu-ray and DVD and via digital download on all partner platforms. The first two seasons are available for live streaming through Amazon Prime. For more information on where to catch up on Orphan Black, visit www.bbcamerica.com/orphanblack.

Orphan Black is shooting in Toronto through March 2016 and returns on BBC AMERICA in Spring 2016.

BBC AMERICA delivers U.S. audiences high-quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who. A joint venture between BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, and AMC Networks, BBC AMERICA has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including four Emmy(R) Awards, five Golden Globes(R) and 12 Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable's most affluent and educated audiences and is available on cable and satellite TV in nearly 80 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms. Online, www.BBCAmerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist.