Summary
AsOrphan Black: Echoesseason 1 releases weekly on AMC, it’s the perfect time to revisit an underrated franchise sequel that debuted three years ago.WhileEchoesmay be the only for-TVOrphan Blacksequel, it isn’t the only follow-upto the five-season sci-fi thriller about the moral and ethical implications of human cloning. The original show centers on Sarah Manning (Tatiana Maslany), a troubled young woman who discovers that she’s one of many genetically identical human clones. Soon enough, Sarah teams with her clone sisters to take on the corporations that wish to own them.
AlthoughOrphan Blackended in 2017,the series boasts an ever-passionate fanbase, which has led to tie-in comic books and even a Japanese remake. Now,Orphan Black: Echoes— more of a spinoff than a proper sequel — picks up in theOrphan Blackuniverse 37 years since the end of the original series. WhileOrphan Black: Echoes’s cast of charactersfeatures some familiar names and faces, including a now-adult Dr. Kira Manning (Keeley Hawes), it centers on a brand-new mystery tied to its original characters, Lucy (Krysten Ritter) and Jules (Amanda Fix).
Orphan Black: The Next Chapter Podcast Is A Proper Orphan Black Sequel
The Audio Drama Picks Up After Orphan Black’s Series Finale
AlthoughOrphan Black: Echoesis a stunning spinoff, it may not be the definitive follow-up for fans of the original series. On the other hand,Orphan Black: The Next Chapterpicks up with Maslany’s cast of clones where the originalOrphan Blackseason 5 ended. Announced in 2019,The Next Chapteris a two-season audio series that serves as an official continuation ofOrphan Black’s story. Despite the change in mediums,the audio drama is a must-listen for completionistswho want to delve into the full breadth ofOrphan Black’s canon.
The youngest Leda clone, Charlotte, begins to wonder if they have a duty to save their fellow clones…
Co-produced by Realm and AMC Networks,Orphan Black: The Next Chapteris set 8 years after the ending of the original show, and centers onOrphan Black’s core Project Leda clonesas they live in anonymity. Unfortunately, that life isn’t all they’d hoped it would be. For Cosima, living in relative secrecy means she’s unable to pursue her life-saving research, while Kira (Skyler Wexler), Sarah’s daughter, feels suffocated by her mom’s paranoia. Meanwhile, the youngest Leda clone, Charlotte (Cynthia Galant), begins to wonder if they have a duty to save their fellow clones from a genetic illness.
Orphan Black: The 10 Best Clone Swaps
Over five seasons, Orphan Black had a number of clone swaps—one clone taking on the identity of another. These swaps became integral to the story.
Tatiana Maslany & Other Cast Members Returned For Orphan Black: The Next Chapter
Maslany Does Not Appear In Orphan Black: Echoes Season 1
A true sequel toOrphan Black,The Next Chapterdelivers more on what fans want thanEchoesdoes, especially where Emmy-winning actor Tatiana Maslany is concerned. While there are many ways the original show’s star could join the spinoff,Tatiana Maslany doesn’t return inOrphan Black: Echoesseason 1. That decision helps the Ritter-led spinoff stand on its own, but it’s also somewhat of a shame. After all,Maslany played 17 clones inOrphan Black, with her dynamic and nuanced performances being a key reason to watch the series.
Maslany adds another clone to her impressive roster: CIA agent Vivi Valdez.
InOrphan Black: The Next Chapter, Maslany adds another clone to her impressive roster: CIA agent Vivi Valdez. Once Vivi discovers the truth about her identity, chaos follows, with one of the original Clone Club members being accused of murder. The gripping thrill ride once again puts the clones and those they love at the center of a dangerous conspiracy, which is made all-the-better by the return of otherOrphan Blackactors. In addition to Maslany,Jordan Gavaris (Felix), Evelyne Brochu (Delphine), and Kristian Bruun (Donnie) all reprise their TV show roles.
Is Orphan Black: Echoes A Prequel Or Sequel? Timeline & Connection To Original Show Explained
Orphan Black: Echoes promises to build on the world of the original series, but how it connects to the original show may not be explicitly clear.
Why The Next Chapter Is A Better Sequel Than Orphan Black: Echoes
Orphan Black: Echoes Follow’s Orphan Black’s Kira Manning As Well As New Characters Lucy & Jules
It’s difficult to compare a spinoff with a direct sequel, but the fact thatOrphan Black: Echoesis a full-fledged TV series — much like the original show — will no doubt have viewers settingThe Next ChapterandEchoesside-by-side. WhileOrphan Black: Echoesuses its connections to the original series wisely, fans looking for a familiarOrphan Blackexperience should consider listening to the audio drama. When it comes to carrying on the legacy of the Leda clones post-Orphan Blackseries finale,Orphan Black: The Next Chapteris the definitive sequelin the franchise.
New episodes ofOrphan Black: Echoespremiere in the US on AMC on Sundays beginning Jun 10, 2025.
Orphan Black: Echoes
Orphan Black: Echoes is a continuation of the Orphan Black universe set in the near future. The series follows a group of women as they entangle themselves in a complex journey, unraveling the mystery of their identities while exposing a tale of love and betrayal.
