Orphan Black: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 531 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 531 Ratings

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Orphan Black: Season 1

Now Playing: Orphan Black: Season 1

Season Details & Credits

BBC America | Season Premiere Date: March 30, 2013

Starring: Dylan Bruce, Dylan Bruce, Maria Doyle Kennedy

Summary: Sarah (Tatiana Maslany), a British orphan now living in America, witnesses the suicide of a woman named Beth, who looks exactly like her. Assuming Beth's identity brings Sarah a new apartment, a nice boyfriend, and trouble that includes a deadly conspiracy.

Creator: John Fawcett and Graeme Manson

Genre(s): Drama, Fantasy, Suspense, Science Fiction

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E10. Endless Forms Most Beautiful
Air Date: June 1, 2013
tbd
S1:E9. Unconscious Selection
Air Date: May 25, 2013
tbd
S1:E8. Entangled Bank
Air Date: May 18, 2013

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Jeff Jensen

May 15, 2013

Slowly, a smartly constructed epic is taking shape. Read full review

Tim Goodman

Mar 28, 2013

It is, flat out, one of the most intriguingly entertaining new series of the year, and it’s so much more than pure entertainment. For a sci-fi series, there’s some real heft to it. Read full review

Tirdad Derakhshani

Apr 1, 2013

[A] gritty, visceral, and emotionally engaging thriller. Read full review

Linda Stasi

Mar 21, 2013

An intriguing new series. Read full review

Hank Stuever

Mar 29, 2013

Orphan Black has the same plain club soda flavor you get in most cable action dramas now, but I have to say that I’m enjoying some of its fizz. Read full review

Zap2it (Inside the Box) Laurel Brown

Mar 29, 2013

The beginnings of answers do appear by the end of the episode, and they are definitely compelling enough to encourage continued viewing. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Mar 25, 2013

Other than enjoying Maslany in multiple characters, wigs and accents, there’s nothing so distinctive about the plot as to provide an incentive to hang around long enough to sort out all the gory details regarding who might want to eliminate them. Read full review

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User Score

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8.3

User Reviews

EmilyKimberly

Mar 31, 2013

Tatiana Maslany dazzles. Good mix of suspense, humor, and heart. Definitely going to stick with it as I'm curious how much will be character vs conspiracy. Was impressed and entertained.

18 of 20 users found this helpful182

Desert_Rat

May 31, 2015

Tatiana Maslany is awesome! She captures the nuances of the identical sisters brilliantly. And moreover she portrays the subtle difference when one sister is imitating another. The story takes amazing twists and turns so you're never sure what's going to happen next. Sometimes you're notTatiana Maslany is awesome! She captures the nuances of the identical sisters brilliantly. And moreover she portrays the subtle difference when one sister is imitating another. The story takes amazing twists and turns so you're never sure what's going to happen next. Sometimes you're not sure what just happened until it becomes clear later in the episode or in the next episodes. A welcome contrast to most TV where you can see what's coming a mile away. This show is up there with the best TV ever.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

emy_lovers

May 20, 2013

There isn't bad language, no T&A, no lurid sex, it's just high voltage, very hip and modern television. It also has great music and mind-twisting story lines mixed with witty dialog. I recall ever being as captivated by a television program as Orphan Black just one time Each has veryThere isn't bad language, no T&A, no lurid sex, it's just high voltage, very hip and modern television. It also has great music and mind-twisting story lines mixed with witty dialog. I recall ever being as captivated by a television program as Orphan Black just one time Each has very unique mannerisms, vocabularies, accents, confidence levels, etc. The personalities among the clones are vast, from the orphaned Brit Sarah, to the psycho-killer Helena. Other clones include: the repressed suburbanite Allison; the dread-locked PhD student Cosima, the drab cop Beth and still others. For a young actress (28), Ms. Maslany ranks in my estimation with acting greats such as Helen Mirren and other classically trained actors with extensive, big theater experience. It is noteworthy how the egos of the clones have been shaped by nurture (or lack thereof) more predominantly than by nature.
So Well worth a view!… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

JrAgujaIsAGleek

Oct 20, 2013

The stellar performance from Tatiana Maslany and its cast, brilliant writing and perfect balance of comedy, sci-fi and drama makes Orphan Black an underrated, yet one of the best new shows of 2013 that has been overlooked by the suits of the Emmys.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

thetvreviewman

Nov 4, 2014

Orphan Black continues to offer some great science fiction plots while mixing in comedy, romance, and an amazing multi role performance from Tatiana Maslany.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

BKM

Aug 19, 2013

I can't figure out if Orphan Black is science-fiction, satire, thriller, drama, comedy or some bizarre gumbo of all the aforementioned genres. Here's what I do know: Orphan Black is a lightning paced series that barely gives you time to think about how ridiculous the whole thing is. ItI can't figure out if Orphan Black is science-fiction, satire, thriller, drama, comedy or some bizarre gumbo of all the aforementioned genres. Here's what I do know: Orphan Black is a lightning paced series that barely gives you time to think about how ridiculous the whole thing is. It may not be built for the long haul, but for the time being it's a blast.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Kemersonb

Feb 7, 2017

As a gay man i find the homo sex scenes offensive. This show is representing gays in a negative way and it should be cancelled. Dont waste your time watching.

0 of 7 users found this helpful07

SEE ALL 67 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

76

Series Overview
Season 5

83
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: March 30, 2013
Season 4

80
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: April 14, 2016
Season 3

70
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: April 18, 2015
Season 2

79
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: April 19, 2014
Season 1

73
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: March 30, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E10. Endless Forms Most Beautiful
  Air Date: June 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E9. Unconscious Selection
  Air Date: May 25, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E8. Entangled Bank
  Air Date: May 18, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E7. Parts Developed in an Unusual Manner
  Air Date: May 11, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E6. Variations Under Domestication
  Air Date: May 4, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E5. Conditions of Existence
  Air Date: April 27, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E4. Effects of External Conditions
  Air Date: April 20, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E3. Variation Under Nature
  Air Date: April 13, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E2. Instinct
  Air Date: April 6, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E1. Natural Selection
  Air Date: March 30, 2013