Ms. Catherine MacLeod reports

CANADA RETURNS TO THE CLONE ZONE WITH THE RETURN OF ORPHAN BLACK, APRIL 19, ONLY ON SPACE

The much-anticipated return of Space original conspiracy thriller Orphan Black draws near, with just 24 days to go until the premiere of season 2, Saturday, April 19, at 9 p.m. ET on BCE Inc.'s Bell Media. After eight, long, accolade-earning and buzz-building months, award-winning Tatiana Maslany reprises her complex roles as multiple clones at the centre of this enigmatic drama. Shot in and around Toronto, the highly anticipated, 10-episode, one-hour, sophomore season of Orphan Black also features a venerable list of guest stars including Patrick Adams (Suits) and Michelle Forbes (The Killing), and cast additions including Michiel Huisman (Game of Thrones), Peter Outerbridge (Nikita) and Ari Millen (Monster Brawl).

"Orphan Black is a thriller in every sense of the word," said Catherine MacLeod, senior vice-president, specialty channels and Bell Media production. "Through compelling storytelling, best-in-class production and an incredible cast, this explosive, original Canadian series has thrilled critics and fans around the world. Orphan Black is truly an international success story, and we can't wait to deliver season 2."

Season 2 hits the ground running with the premiere episode "Nature Under Constraint and Vexed" (Saturday, April 19, at 9 p.m. ET). In the explosive return, Sarah is out of options, on the run, and being pursued by deadly adversaries. Desperate to find her daughter Kira (Skyler Wexler, Alphas), Sarah's scorched-earth tactics bring her face to face with the "pro-clone" Rachel. Meanwhile, with Alison's carefully crafted suburban world spinning out of control, and the genetic illness affecting Cosima threatening them all, Sarah must negotiate a dangerous world of new enemies and shifting allegiances to get to the bottom of the experiment that made them who they are.

Leading up to the season 2 premiere, Space's flagship daily show Innerspace reviews the storylines of each clone last season, covering the best moments from Sarah, Cosima, Alison, Rachel and even Helena. Innerspace's clone recaps begin Monday, April 14, at 6 p.m. ET, discussing a clone each day. Then, every Monday beginning April 21 at 6 p.m. ET, Innerspace will revisit the top 5 moments from each Orphan Black episode.

Season 1 of Orphan Black amassed a loyal following, reaching more than 4.5 million Canadians throughout the broadcast year, and ended on a high note as Space's most-watched original series with an average audience of 328,000 viewers. To date, the series has won 10 Canadian Screen Awards, including best dramatic series, and a best actress win for Ms. Maslany, who also received a Critics Choice Award and was nominated for a Golden Globe. Her Emmy nomination snub made headlines, and created a buzz on-line and on Twitter via the program's fan club, the "clone club."

For viewers who have yet to be initiated into the Orphan Black "clone club," Space is airing season 1 in its entirety for a full day beginning Saturday, April 19, at 11 a.m. ET, leading into the season 2 premiere at 9 p.m. ET. For the collectors, beginning April 1, the first season of Orphan Black will be available on Blu-ray and DVD, in stores throughout Canada. On-line, from March 29 to April 28, viewers can also stream season 1 in its entirety, on the Space website, and the series is also available for purchase on iTunes.

Orphan Black stars Canadian Screen Award-winner and Golden Globe nominee Tatiana Maslany (Picture Day, Parks and Recreation), who to date has portrayed seven different characters (Sarah, Beth, Katja, Alison, Cosima, Helena and Rachel). The ensemble cast also comprises Canadian Screen Award-winner Jordan Gavaris (Unnatural History) as Felix, Sarah's foster brother; Canadian Screen Award-winner Maria Doyle Kennedy (Downton Abbey) as Mrs. S, Sarah and Felix's hard-nosed working class foster mother; Dylan Bruce (NCIS) as Paul, Beth's boyfriend with a secret linked to his army days in Afghanistan; Kevin Hanchard (Republic of Doyle) as Art, a veteran detective; Michael Mando (The Killing) as Vic, Sarah's sporadically violent ex; and Skyler Wexler (Alphas) as Kira, Sarah's seven-year-old daughter. Season 2 newcomers include Michiel Huisman (Game of Thrones) as Cal Morrison, a rugged, resourceful outdoorsman; Peter Outerbridge (Nikita) as Henrik "Hank" Johanssen, a modern-day cowboy; and Ari Millen (Monster Brawl) as Mark, a cunning predator with a dark edge.

Orphan Black is executive produced by Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (Being Erica, The Next Step), Graeme Manson (Cube, Flashpoint) and John Fawcett (Spartacus, Ginger Snaps). The series is co-created by Mr. Manson and Mr. Fawcett, with Mr. Manson also serving as writer and Mr. Fawcett as director. BBC Worldwide distributes the series internationally.

Orphan Black is produced by Temple Street Productions in association with Space and BBC America.