Orphan Black: Echoes premiered earlier this year on AMC and AMC+. It was presented as a sequel to the original Orphan Black as the events of Orphan Black: Echoes take place thirty-seven years after the finale of Orphan Black which originally premiered on BBC America over ten years ago.
Although there are references to the original series and a few nods to previous characters and incidents, much of Orphan Black: Echoes is designed as an expansion of the universe of the original show in such a way that it can be easily accessed by those who are new to the franchise as well as those who are fans of the original show.
The official synopsis for Orphan Black: Echoes reads as follows:
"Set in the near future, Orphan Black: Echoes takes a deep dive into the exploration of the scientific manipulation of human existence. It follows a group of women as they weave their way into each other’s lives and embark on a thrilling journey, unravelling the mystery of their identity and uncovering a wrenching story of love and betrayal. Ritter plays Lucy, a woman with an unimaginable origin story, trying to find her place in the world."
Orphan Black: Echoes connection with Orphan Black explored
It was in 2013 that Orphan Black first started airing on BBC America. The show starred Tatiana Maslany in the leading role and portrayed a dystopian world in which cloning technology was widely prevalent with both scientific and human consequences.
Although the show aired its last episode in 2017, it had by then managed to develop a dedicated following among fans.
Orphan Black was created by writer Graeme Mason and directed by John Fawcett who is the executive producer of Orphan Black: Echoes in collaboration with Anna Fishko, who is the creator of the sequel.
Although the two have distinct storylines, the events that transpired in Orphan Black play a significant and determining role in charting the course of the new show.
The sequel follows Kira Manning, played by Keeley Haws, as the daughter of Sarah Manning from the original show. The year is 2052 and Kira has been leading a wholesome life. On the one hand, she is a successful scientist who has pioneered the treatment of several illnesses. Additionally, she also has a family and has had love in her life.
Although characters from the original often come up in conversation and are referenced, the spinoff maintains a distance from them so as not to alienate the new viewers. The character of Lucy, played by Krysten Ritter of Jessica Jones fame, is a pivotal one. Upon discovering that she is a clone, Lucy sets forth on a winding adventure to unravel her true identity.
For those wanting to watch the new show as a continuation of the original show, it must be kept in mind that the sequel doesn't simply carry on the narrative from where it left off.
Are there any characters from Orphan Black in Orphan Black: Echoes?
Trending
The major characters from the original show including Sarah Manning and Cosima do not appear in the sequel. This is in keeping with the time jump of thirty-seven years especially since the previous characters will now be quite aged. However, since Kira is Sarah's daughter, there are frequent references to the old characters.
Reply
