When BBC America drama series Orphan Black returns, for a third season, on April 18, it will be shown on AMC, IFC, SundanceTV and We TV in addition to the mother ship, at 10 p.m. ET.

This marks the first time that AMC Networks -- which now oversees BBC America in a joint venture with BBC Worldwide -- will have aired a show across all five national networks at the same time.

“Orphan Black is a truly outstanding original series that has attracted consistent and widespread critical acclaim as well as a considerable, growing following from viewers,” AMC Networks COO Ed Carroll said in a release. “AMC Networks is a channel group known for high-quality storytelling and creating a premiere television event for Orphan Black is a perfect opportunity to use our programming assets to help extend the reach of this quality series.”

Starring Tatiana Maslany in multiple roles (as cloned copies of the same person), the show is among BBC America's most popular series (see "BBCA Touts 'Orphan Black' Gains"). Maslany has been nominated for Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe awards, and when she is absent from major TV-award categories the snub becomes news. Season three sees her clone characters coping with the knowledge that there is also a line of male clones, played by Ari Millen.