Bad News, Clone Club: 'Orphan Black: Echoes' Is Canceled After One Season

The future is not bright for Orphan Black: Echoes. It has been revealed that the show will not be getting a second season.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Orphan Black: Echoes has been officially canceled by AMC. As of now, no reason has been stated for why the series was axed. The Krysten Ritter-led show, which serves as a sequel series for Orphan Black, debuted on AMC and AMC+ in June. Reviews were a bit mixed, as the series holds a Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of 60 percent with a 47 percent audience score.

Set in 2052, 37 years since the end of the original series, Orphan Black: Echoes takes a deep dive into the exploration of the scientific manipulation of human existence. It follows the life of the now adult Kira (Keeley Hawes) and her wife (Rya Kihlstedt) as they try to help an amnesiac woman, Lucy (Ritter).

What Went Wrong?

Orphan Black: Echoes was a promising premise, building on the legacy of the original series, which captivated audiences with its complex storyline and Tatiana Maslany's incredible performance as multiple clones. However, the spin-off failed to capture the same level of audience interest, ultimately leading to its cancellation. While the original Orphan Black series ran for five seasons and received critical acclaim, earning Tatiana Maslany a Primetime Emmy Award, Echoes received a 60% approval rating from critics and a less favorable audience score. It was also hampered by the fact that Maslany was unavailable for a guest appearance, a move that may have drawn in more fans from the original show.

The Show’s Legacy

Despite its cancellation, Orphan Black: Echoes will still be remembered for its exploration of the scientific manipulation of human existence and its compelling cast of characters. The show's strong performances from Ritter, Hawes, and Fix, as well as its intriguing plot, made it a worthy successor to the original Orphan Black. However, the series may have struggled to find its own identity. While the original Orphan Black was praised for its exploration of themes of identity, nature versus nurture, and the power of sisterhood, Echoes may have lacked the same depth and originality.

The original Orphan Black helped put BBC America on the original programming map and got it in the Emmy winners circle in a major way, with star Tatiana Maslany earning three nominations for her work playing multiple roles on the show, taking home the award in 2016. Orphan Black, which ran for five seasons, became a cult phenomenon with a passionate fanbase known as the “Clone Club.”

Orphan Black: Echoes may not have been the clone that fans hoped for, but it offered an interesting glimpse into the world of Orphan Black, raising questions about the future of scientific manipulation and human existence. While it may not be returning for a second season, its cancellation does not diminish the impact of the original Orphan Black series, which remains a beloved classic in the sci-fi genre.

Looking Ahead

The cancellation of Orphan Black: Echoes is a reminder that even the most promising spin-offs can struggle to find an audience in today's crowded television landscape. The show may have been hampered by the high expectations of the original series, as well as the lack of availability of the original Orphan Black cast. Despite its cancellation, Echoes still explored the science fiction world and kept the Orphan Black legacy alive. The series can still be enjoyed as a standalone story.

All episodes of the original series and the Echoes offshoot are available on AMC+.