Everything about Orphan Black, eh?

Justin Chatwin, James Frain and Ksenia Solo join Orphan Black

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From a media release:

− Additional cast members announced for ORPHAN BLACK Season 3 include Kyra Harper, Earl Pastko, and Ksenia Solo –

− Produced by Temple Street Productions in association with Space and BBC America, ORPHAN BLACK Season 3 premieres in Spring 2015 –

Space, BBC America, and Temple Street Productions announced earlier today that James Frain (INTRUDERS) has been cast in Season 3 of the critically acclaimed Canadian original series, ORPHAN BLACK. Also announced as new Season 3 cast members are Canadian actors Kyra Harper (WAREHOUSE 13), Ksenia Solo (LOST GIRL), and Earl Pastko (MURDOCH MYSTERIES). The announcement comes hot on the heels of the recently announced addition of Canada’s own Justin Chatwin (SHAMELESS) to the cast. Season 3 of the 10-episode, one-hour series is currently in production, and scheduled to premiere on Space in Spring 2015.

James Frain joins the cast as Ferdinand, a well-educated, Topside “cleaner” who is at the same time both charming and intimidating. Ferdinand is a powerful player in a secretive, multi-national political faction that operates with questionable ethics and a ruthless modus operandi.

Featured in a guest starring role this season is Justin Chatwin as Jason Kellerman. With rugged good looks and street-smarts, Jason is a savvy drug-dealer in the guise of a charismatic businessman.

Ksenia Solo plays Shay, a beautiful, soulful, and compassionate holistic healer with a great sense of humour, and new friend to Cosima (Maslany). Kyra Harper is Dr. Coady, a ruthless doctor and advisor to the military. Coady is outwardly the soul of reason, but her maternal, nurturing manner conceals an agenda that even her superiors do not suspect. Earl Pastko joins ORPHAN BLACK as Bulldog, the silent, imposing, and violent personal bodyguard to Ferdinand. Communicating with his boss by looks only, Bulldog carries out the dirty work of his shady employers.

Starring Golden Globe® nominee Tatiana Maslany as the “Leda Clones”, ORPHAN BLACK’s second season brought new, more treacherous, enemies to light, culminating in a shocking finale with the reveal of the new male “Castor” clones played by Ari Millen. Season 3 plunges the clone sisterhood into unexpected territory with the realization that they’re not alone. Just when they thought they knew their enemies and allies, Season 3 reveals the clones as more vulnerable than ever before, with the highly trained, identical male-soldier “Castor Clones” complicating matters. And though Sarah, Cosima, Alison, and Helena realize they are stronger together, this season puts that bond to the test.

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Cameras roll on Season 3 of Orphan Black

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From a media release:

Space, Temple Street Productions, and BBC America announced earlier today that production has begun on Season 3 of the critically acclaimed original Canadian series, ORPHAN BLACK. Season 3 sees the return of the phenomenal, Golden Globe®-nominated Tatiana Maslany, who has portrayed an astonishing, nine, distinct “Leda” clones to date, as well as the male “Castor” clones revealed in the Season 2 finale, played by series regular Ari Millen. Season 2 of ORPHAN BLACK reached a total of 832,000 viewers and more than 3.7 million unique viewers each week. Throughout its Season 2 run, Space was the #1 specialty network in audience across all key demos in its timeslot. The 10-episode, one-hour drama shoots in Toronto, on location and in studio, until March 2015, and is set to premiere in Spring 2015.

Returning in a lead role is Ari Millen, who plays the newly discovered male clones; Mark, the Prolethean cult follower and Rudy, a prisoner of war. Also back this season is Jordan Gavaris as Sarah’s fiery foster brother Felix; Dylan Bruce as Paul; an army officer working for secret forces in the clone world; Maria Doyle Kennedy as Sarah and Felix’s duplicitous foster mother Mrs. S; Evelyne Brochu as a Dyad scientist and Cosima’s lover Delphine; Kevin Hanchard as Art, a detective caught in the clone trap; Zoé De Grand Maison as Gracie, a Prolethean escapee, and Michiel Huisman as Cal, father to Sarah’s daughter Kira (Skyler Wexler).

ORPHAN BLACK’s second season brought new, more treacherous, enemies to light, culminating in a shocking finale with the reveal of the new male “Castor” clones. Season 3 plunges the clone sisterhood into unexpected territory with the realization that they’re not alone. Just when they thought they knew their enemies and allies, Season 3 reveals our clones are more vulnerable than ever before with the highly trained, identical male-soldiers complicating matters. And though Sarah, Cosima, Alison and Helena realize they are stronger together than they are apart, this season will put that bond to the test.

Adored by fans and critics alike in more than 170 countries, ORPHAN BLACK earned a Peabody Award and an outstanding 10 Canadian Screen Awards in 2014. Lead actress Tatiana Maslany has received two, back-to-back Critics’ Choice Awards for Best Actress, a TCA Award for Individual Achievement, a Young Hollywood Award, a Gracie Award, and nominations for both the Golden Globe® and People’s Choice Awards.

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Link: GLAAD report recognizes Lost Girl, Rookie Blue, Degrassi, Orphan Black

From (US-based) GLAAD:

GLAAD’s Where We Are On TV
Following a decline last year, GLAAD has found an increase in the percentage of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) characters anticipated to appear on scripted primetime broadcast television in the coming year. The annual Where We Are on TV report forecasts the expected presence of LGBT characters for the upcoming 2014-2015 television season. Continue reading.

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Interview: Ari Millen juggles clones and werewolves

Kingston-born actor Ari Millen performed in high school plays and used to play with a school’s camera equipment to make “weird slasher movies” with his childhood friend, though he had his eye on the NHL. But when a separated shoulder interfered with his hockey plans, he joined an improv team and ended up solidly on the path to actor instead of goalie.

He had just finished filming the upcoming werewolf movie Hunter’s Moon when he spoke to Anthony Marco for the TV eh B Cs podcast about his career, including his training, theatre background, and his most famous role to date — as Mark in Orphan Black.

Fans got a shock at the end of season two when his character was revealed to be part of a set of male clones. “Me included,” Millen interjected.

“When I signed on I was told I was in the first six and then I’d have a glorious death,” he explained. “An Orphan Black death is an Orphan Black death – they are pretty great. I was really hoping Helena would take me out in some gruesome way.”

“I got the script for script and I read it and I thought, ‘I’m not dead.’ Then seven came, and eight came, and I’m not dead. Then I got a phone call.”

Creator Graeme Manson finally told him he was going to be the male clones. “I’d just thought my character Mark was going to survive the season and that was good enough for me.” Instead, he’s poised to perhaps be another Tatiana Maslany on the show – we’ll find out when season three airs.

Listen to the full interview here, including discussions about growing up in Kingston and transitioning to Toronto, learning by watching on set, and JUST wrapping the film Hunter’s Moon. Plus a little obligatory talk about growing up goalie and grasping for a lost Italian word… chinotto!

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