AMC will debut the Orphan Black: Echoes drama/thriller series on June 23, with Krysten Ritter in the starring role.

The spinoff series from Emmy Award-winning BBC America series Orphan Black — which starred Tatiana Maslany and aired from 2013-2017 — follows a group of women as they weave their way into other's lives as it takes a deep dive into the exploration of the scientific manipulation of human existence, according to AMC.

Ritter plays a woman with an unimaginable origin story, trying to find her place in the world, AMC said. 

Along with Ritter, Orphan Black: Echoes stars Keeley Hawes, Amanda Fix, Avan Jogia, Rya Kihlstedt and James Hiroyuki Liao.

The series is executive produced by Ritter, Anna Fishko, John Fawcett, David Fortier, Ivan Schneeberg, Nick Nantell, Kerry Appleyard and Katie O'Connell Marsh.

Orphan Black actress Tatiana Maslany returns to AMC Networks to star in a new drama series Invitation to a Bonfire, the network announced Wednesday during its Television Critics Association summer press tour session. 

The series, set in the 1930s at an all-girls boarding school in New Jersey, follows a young Russian immigrant and groundskeeper who is drawn into a lethal love triangle with the school’s newest faculty member and his bewitching wife, portrayed by Maslany. The actress starred in the Emmy-winning BBC America series Orphan Black from 2013 to 2017.

Also: ‘Marvel’s Jessica Jones’ Star to Lead AMC Networks' ‘Orphan Black’ Spinoff Series

Freya Mavor, Pilou Asbaek and Ngozi Anyanwu also star in the thriller, which is based on the novel by Adrienne Celt. 

Maslany also serves as an executive producer for Invitation to a Bonfire along with Robin Schwartz and Kyle Laursen. 

"Tatiana is a singular talent who we’ve wanted to bring back  to the AMC Networks family since her iconic and career-defining performance in Orphan Black," Dan McDermott, AMC Networks president of entertainment and AMC Studios, said in a statement. "We're thrilled to have her join Invitation to a Bonfire’s talented cast and watch her bring to life the wild flame that is Vera Orlov, both on-screen and behind the scenes as an executive producer."

In other AMC Networks news, Acorn TV has renewed its original murder mystery series Harry Wild for a second season. The series stars Jane Seymour as a retiring university literature professor who is finding herself at one of life’s crossroads.

Harry Wild was Acorn TV's most successful series launch and most-watched season of any series on the service in 2022, according to the streaming service. 

Also, IFC will bring back its Emmy-winning comedy/variety series Sherman’s Showcase for a new season on October 26. The series, created by Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin, will feature such guest stars as John Legend, Issa Rae, Chance the Rapper, Jay Pharoah, Chris Hardwick and Porsha Williams, said the network.

AMC Networks also renewed its Emmy-nominated digital series Cooper's Bar for a second season. The series, developed by Louis Mustillo and Better Call Saul's Rea Seehorn, has drawn nearly four million views on a variety of platforms including AMC+, AMC.com, video on demand and the company’s Facebook, Instagram and YouTube feeds since premiere this spring. 

The series was nominated for a 2022 Emmy Award for Seehorn in the “Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series” category. ■ 

Actress Krysten Ritter has landed a starring role in AMC Networks’ Orphan Black spinoff series Orphan Black: Echoes.

Ritter, who starred in Netflix's Marvel’s Jessica Jones series, will executive produce and star in the 10-episode Orphan Black: Echoes series, which follows a group of women as they weave their way into each other’s lives while unravelling the mystery of their identities and uncovering a story of love and betrayal, said AMC Networks. 

Ritter — who also starred in Breaking Bad and Don’t Trust the B----- in Apartment 23, and will star in HBO’s upcoming series Love and Death —  plays a woman who is trying to find her place in the world in Orphan Black: Echoes, AMC said. 

The Emmy-winning Orphan Black series, which starred Tatiana Maslany, ran on BBC America from 2013-2017. 

Orphan Black: Echoes, which will premiere in 2023, will be executive produced by Anna Fishko along with John Fawcett, David Fortier, Ivan Schneeberg, Katie O’Connell Marsh, Nick Nantell and Kerry Appleyard. ■ 

AMC Networks, holding its upfront presentation in New York Wednesday evening, said it bringing back some of its most popular properties and personalities. 

The programmers said it is developing a new series called Straight Man that will star Bob Odenkirk, who was featured in AMC’s riveting Breaking Bad and starred in its prequel Better Call Saul, which is starting its final season.

AMC also said it has greenlit Orphan Black: Echoes, a series described as being set in the universe of Orphan Black, the popular BBC America show.

The extension of audience favorites comes as AMC’s monster hit, The Walking Dead, comes to an end later this year. The original version of the zombie drama, one of the highest-rated series in the history of cable, has spawned a franchise that remains undead with an expanding roster of series and movies.

Odenkirk’s new series, Straight Man, is based on the book by Richard Russo about the chairman of the English department at a Pennsylvania college having a mid-life crisis.

“Bob Odenkirk is just as good as it gets” said Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks. “We feel so fortunate to be developing a new show that would keep him at AMC after Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad, two iconic series that have been beloved by millions of fans and helped define AMC and its reputation for unforgettable characters and high-quality storytelling for adults. We’re also thrilled to be working again with our partners at Sony Pictures Television and Mark Johnson’s Gran Via to explore this compelling material.”

If it gets picked up, Straight Man would premiere on AMC Plus and AMC in 2023. 

Aaron Zelman and Paul Lieberstein are adapting the novel and will be executive producers along with director Peter Farrelly, Russo, Odenkirk, Naomi Odenkirk and Marc Provissiero.

“I loved Paul and Aaron’s take on Richard’s excellent, entertaining novel. Once again a project with AMC with a focus on character depth and sensitivity,” said Bob Odenkirk. “This milieu (academia) seems very pertinent to the conversations we’re all having. I am drawn to the tone of humanity and humor in the novel and I look forward to playing this role — something lighter than my recent projects but still closely observed and smart.” 

Orphan Black Echoes is being produced and distributed by Boat Rocker, the company behind the original Orphan Black series. 

“Orphan Black had a remarkable run on BBC America, attracting millions of dedicated and highly engaged fans, captivated by a smart and engrossing story and a star-making and Emmy-winning performance by Tatiana Maslany,” said AMC's McDermott. “We can’t wait to dive back in with Anna, John and our partners at Boat Rocker and deliver an all-new version of this rich world that is worthy of the #CloneClub.”

The show’s 10-episode season is expected to premiere on AMC’s linear networks in 2023.

Anna Fishko is creator, writer, showrunner and executive producer of Orphan Black: Echoes, with John Fawcett, co-creator of the original series who also directed 17 episodes across all five seasons, signed on as director and executive producer. David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg, executive producers from Boat Rocker on the original Orphan Black series, return as executive producers on the new series. Katie O’Connell Marsh, Nick Nantell and Kerry Appleyard will also executive-produce for Boat Rocker. 

“Embarking on a new saga of Orphan Black with Anna, our partners at Boat Rocker, and AMC could not be more exciting,” Fawcettsaid. “For all our dedicated OB fans out there, I am thrilled that we can bring this new chapter to them. Without our fans, this new show certainly wouldn't exist and for that I am deeply grateful. I can't wait to ‘follow the crazy science’ for them.” ■

In a two major upsets, Rami Malek won the Emmy for best actor in a drama series for his role in USA’s Mr. Robot, while Tatiana Maslany won for best actress in a drama for her role in BBC America's Orphan Black.

Malek, in his first Emmy nomination in the category, beat out a strong lineup of actors including Kyle Chandler (Bloodline), Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul) Matthew Rhys (The Americans), Kevin Spacey (House of Cards) for the award. 

Masalany topped last year's Emmy winner in the category, Viola Davis, as well as Taraji P Henson (Empire), Keri Russell (The Americans), Robin Wright (House Of Cards), and Claire Danes (Homeland). 

BBC America Thursday said it will end its popular sci-fi series Orphan Black after five seasons.

The sci-fi-themed series, which stars Tatiana Maslany playing multiple clones, will return in 2017 for its 10-episode fifth and final season, according to network officials. The current fourth season finale will air tonight (June 16).

Orphan Black isproduced by Temple Street, with Ivan Schneeberg, David Fortier, Kerry Appleyard, Graeme Manson and John Fawcett serving as executive producers.

 “Orphan Black is a thrilling, genre-bending ride that has captured our fans’ imaginations and hearts like no other show,” said BBC America president Sarah Barnett in a statement. “Our genius team of actors, writers and producers have, time after time, taken us to a place of awe, delight and utter shock and surprise. Tatiana has been and continues to be a complete revelation, hers is one of the most remarkable performances on television, and she is joined by an extraordinary cast.  We can’t wait to take our incredibly passionate audience on one final gobsmacking clone adventure.”

The aftershow genre is drawing more networks eager to offer fans more exposure to their favorite hit series — and on more platforms, too.

Network executives said aftershows — the best-known of which is AMC’s live post-The Walking Dead panel show Talking Dead — are a relatively easy way to create original content that serves the big audiences for hit shows, especially in the fantasy and sci-fi realms, at a fraction of the cost.

Syfy is the latest network to dive in, launching a weekly Tuesday night podcast to support the second season of time-travel drama series 12 Monkeys, which launches tonight (April 18). The Talking Monkeys podcast, to be made available at Syfy.com and in the iTunes Store, will feature series creator and executive producer Terry Matalas and cast members discuss the show’s most recent episode.

The goal of Talking Monkeys is to reach 12 Monkeys fans online, Matthew Chiavelli, senior vice president of Syfy Digital, said.

“The 12 Monkeys audience has proven to be ravenous consumers of any of the ancillary digital content that Syfy has created since the show’s premiere last year -- so we saw this as an ideal series to launch a podcast,” Chiavelli said. “12 Monkeys, being a multilayered show with deep, rich storytelling, is perfect for this medium that allows for longer-form discussion.”

Talking Monkeys joins several other after-show series debuting in April. AMC tonight (April 18) will air a live Talking Saul aftershow following the season-two finale of drama series Better Call Saul. The network first aired Talking Saul, hosted by Talking Dead’s Chris Hardwick, after the show’s second season premiere on Feb. 15.

Speaking of Talking Dead, AMC on April 10 launched the series for the second-season premiere of zombie series Fear The Walking Dead, a spinoff of the cable’s top rated series The Walking Dead. A week prior, the Talking Dead that followed TWD’s season-six finale averaged 7.9 million viewers (on a Nielsen-plus-3-day basis). While that was a big drop-off from the 14.1 million viewers who watched The Walking Dead, it was a big enough audience to make the series the fifth-most-watched show of the week, Nielsen reported.

Crossing platforms again, HBO tapped Grantland founder Bill Simmons to create an on demand aftershow for Game of Thrones. After the Thrones will appear on HBO Now, HBO Go and HBO On Demand the Monday after each new Sunday-night Game of Thrones episode, starting April 25.

Last Thursday (April 14) BBC America launched the first after show based on its hit series Orphan Black. After the Black features hosts Ajay Fry, Morgan Hoffman and Teddy Wilson discussing the plot hints and twists of the sci-fi series’ fourth season.

BBC America president and general manager Sarah Barnett said the aftershow allows the network to superserve its Orphan Black viewer fanbase.

“These shows have a raw, unfiltered feeling of true access to talent both in front of and behind the camera — and given how central TV is to pop culture this fuels the conversation in such an organic way,” Barnett said. “What’s more, it’s the most relevant lead out possible to follow a new episode of Orphan Black.” And, she noted, “it’s relatively cost effective.”

“It’s passion, cloned,” Barnett said, playing off the multiple cloned characters Orphan Black star Tatiana Maslany plays. “It’s a virtuous circle of feeding and fueling fan love for our show.”  

Cable networks and shows dominated the 2015 Emmy nominations announced Thursday, and there were no shortage of reactions and comments from network executives and celebrities regarding the Emmy accolades.

Below is a compilation of those reactions.

“We’re over the moon that Tatiana (Maslany)’s ground breaking work as no less than seven characters in this unique show has been rewarded with an Emmy nomination. The creative and technical demands of Orphan Black are immense, yet Tatiana manages to craft each character with a depth, nuance and humanity rarely found in one performance, let alone seven!”

--Sarah Barnett, President and General Manager, BBC America

“7 nominees? Clearly men in comedy is SO much more weighty and important than any other sex or category. You’re welcome, America.”

--Don Cheadle, Showtime's House of Lies

“We are thrilled to be nominated for Project Runway as we kick off our 14th season of the show!  Thank you to all of our Project Runway fans!”

-- Heidi Klum, Lifetime's Project Runway

“I’m really honored to be considered again and I’m especially proud of our writers Jeffrey Klarik and David Crane for their well-deserved nomination.  We are all flattered that the voters have kept EPISODES in mind since we were on so early in the year.  A heartfelt thank you to SHOWTIME for all their support these past four seasons.”

--Matt LeBlanc, Showtime's Episodes

“I'm ecstatic about our nominations. It's always a thrill to hear your name, and show, mentioned in such stellar company.”

– Tim Gunn, Lifetime's Project Runway

“We feel so fortunate to have the Academy recognize shows and performances we love and are proud to bring to viewers. In an increasingly crowded and competitive TV landscape, we know how hard creators, casts and everyone associated with these productions work to deliver their best. To have these efforts acknowledged by the industry is something we appreciate and never take for granted."

--Charlie Collier, president of AMC and SundanceTV

We are all ecstatic about the #EmmyNoms for #InsideAmy I am celebrating! #giammati#12angrymen#directing#writing

--Amy Schumer, Comedy Central’s Inside Amy Schumer

Honored to be nominated amidst so much great work. #EmmyNoms

--Jeff Daniels, HBO’s The Newsroom

"#CloneClub & #clonesbians, this bud's for you. Thanks buddies :)"

--Tatiana Maslany, BBC America's Oprhan Black

“Everyone at WGN America thanks the Academy for this recognition, in this our first year in the scripted arena, and we extend our sincere congratulations to Imaginary Forces and our brilliant creative team in Sam Shaw and Tommy Schlamme on this Emmy nomination”

-- Matt Cherniss, President and General Manager, WGN America and Tribune Studios for WGN's Manhattan

“We are truly honored that the TV Academy has once again recognized our original series Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown and The Sixties. We are proud to be in partnership with Tony, and all the folks ZPZ, for their singular series Parts Unknown, and Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Mark Herzog for The Sixties, as well as The Seventies which is currently airing on CNN. On behalf of all of us at CNN, I extend our sincere congratulations to our partners.”

--Jeff Zucker, President, CNN Worldwide.

BBC America’s award winning sci-fi/drama Orphan Black launches its third season on Saturday (April 18) with the hopes of cloning the ratings and critical success the popular show generated during its sophomore campaign.

The series, starring TV Critics Choice Awards winner Tatiana Maslany who plays multiple roles as a human clone, is headed into its third season with ratings momentum. Season two of the series more than doubled its viewership among adults 25 to 54 and adults 18-49 compared to season one, according to Nielsen. Overall with Live +3 ratings, the series’ season two campaign averaged more than 1 million viewers for BBC America, which was purchased by AMC Networks earlier this year.

I chatted with BBC America president Sarah Barnett about the new season of Orphan Black, and here are a few things that Barnett wants you to know about the popular series’ new season.

It’s a great show with a strong message:  “Orphan Black has been a tremendous example of the kind of storytelling the audience at BBC America can really embrace. It’s incredibly fresh both in the underlying themes of the story and exploring a young woman asking questions about how to be in control in what feels like a hostile world and how to maintain control of her body. At the same time it’s about an impulsive, entertaining ride for audiences, so the show is a really nice example of the kind of storytelling I think fits so beautifully on the network.”

The show has found an audience on social media: [Fan-created] 'The Clone Club' was a movement that our social team spotted and nurtured as fans clubbed together and developed communities around the show and named their own communities. The job of our marketing and social teams was to respect and feed that appetite with behind the scenes content in the social space. It’s really impressive to have seen the way our social team has embraced the fans and followed as the fans lead the way in terms of their engagement with the show.

Saturday’s season three premiere will air on multiple networks:  “We’re super excited that all five AMC Networks (AMC, BBC America, IFC, SundanceTV and WE tv) will roadlock [the season three episode] of   Orphan Black. We could not ask for a better embrace from the parent company; It shows the affection and respect the company has for BBC America and Orphan Black.”

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.

Pasadena -- BBC America will return its hit series Orphan Black for a third season April 18, network officials said during its Television Critics Association Winter press tour presentation Saturday.

The series stars Tatiana Maslany who was recently nominated for Screen Actors Guild Award for her multiple staring roles.

BBC America also announced that it will debut this Spring a new original mini-series set during the Napoleonic Wars.

The series, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, stars Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan) as reclusive magician who battles a young novice magician Bertie Carvel (Restless) in 1806 England. The seven part miniseries is based on Susanna Clarke’s bestselling novel, according to the network.

 The series will debut on the network in 2015, said network officials.

On the non-fiction side, the network will premiere on Jan. 26 a car competition show Mud, Sweat and Gears. The series features two car afficionados who go head to head to transform everyday vehicles.

BBC America will cast new stars for the third season of the clone drama Orphan Black, including Justin Chatwin, James Frain and more, the network announced today. 

Chatwin (Shameless) is set to play the recurring role of businessman Jason Kellerman, and Frain (Intruders) guest stars with a main role as Ferdinand. 

Additional casting for the upcoming series includes, Ksenia Solo (Black Swan), Kyra Harper (Warehouse 13), and Earl Pastko (Murdoch Mysteries)

AMC Networks, about a year after spending $1 billion to crack the European market with its acquisition of Chellomedia, said it will shell out $200 million for a 49.9% interest in BBC America and enter into a partnership with the network’s parent, BBC Worldwide.

As part of the agreement BBC Worldwide will retain 50.1% in the channel. AMC Networks will have operational control of BBC America, including affiliate and advertising sales, maintain  consistently with BBC’s editorial standards and policies and consolidate the results of the joint venture in its financial statements, the companies said.

AMC Networks had been rumored to be in negotiations with BBC America for months. Speculation that the two were in talks first surfaced in July, with AMC expected to take a less than 50% stake, allowing BBC Worldwide (the commercial arm of U.K. government owned British Broadcasting Corp.) to keep majority ownership of the channel while offloading some advertising sales and marketing functions to AMC.

This is AMC’s second international acquisition since it announced its plan to acquire Chellomedia last October from Liberty Global for about $1 billion. The international channels were renamed AMC Networks International in July.

BBC America is the home of hits like Doctor Who,Orphan Black, Luther and Broadchurch and is available in about 80 million homes in the U.S. AMC Networks is the parent of cable channels AMC, IFC, WeTV, Sundance TV and AMC International and is the television home to such shows as The Walking Dead, Mad Men and Portlandia. AMC’s Oct. 12 premiere of the fifth season of The Walking Deadwas viewed by 17.3 million people, the largest audience in cable TV history for a drama series episode. After three days' of recorded viewings were added in, by Nielsen, the debut episode audience grew to more than 22 million.

BBC America will be managed as a standalone channel within the AMC Networks portfolio, which includes AMC, IFC, WE tv, and SundanceTV, as well as AMC Networks International, a collection of more than 60 channels distributed worldwide.

BBC and AMC Networks have a long partnership history, working together on the award-winning drama series Top of the Lake, drama TheHonourable Woman and the upcoming One Child. As part of the agreement, AMC Networks and BBC Television have agreed to continue to jointly pursue a number of content investment opportunities on a range of future projects, both through BBC America and other AMC Networks channels.

Also included in the partnership is representation of BBC World News in U.S. distribution and domestic advertising sales. Available in over 30 million homes in the U.S., the channel is owned and editorially controlled by BBC Global News Ltd.

 “The BBC is one of the most recognized, trusted and respected brands in the world and we are proud to partner with it to create a content offering unmatched in the industry. I have great respect for what Herb Scannell and his team have achieved over the past four years, elevating BBC America's profile, performance and productions," AMC Networks CEO Josh Sapan said in a statement. "A combined AMC Networks-BBC America channel group creates a powerful collection of networks that are among the most critically-acclaimed, with distinct dramas and other potent content that creates a deep connection with viewers. Our content rises to the top on many levels and is particularly well-suited to an era of on-demand viewing and expanding consumer choice."

Tony Hall, BBC Director-General and Chairman of BBC Worldwide, added: “The U.S. is an important market for the BBC’s commercial activities. This partnership brings together the whole BBC and will help us reach new audiences in the U.S., strengthen BBC America’s position for the long term and create opportunities for the UK creative community. We've already worked successfully with AMC Networks on award-winning productions of Top of the Lake and TheHonourable Woman and this partnership means we can produce even more top quality drama together. And I hope this is the beginning of us working together on other future projects too.”

Following completion, BBC Worldwide North America will continue as a wholly owned regional business within BBC Worldwide, focused on program and format sales and co-production relationships, scripted and unscripted production, consumer products, digital and live events.

New York law firm Hughes Hubbard & Reed is advising AMC in the transaction.The firm is advising AMC on tax, antitrust, employee benefits and new media/technology aspects of the venture.

BBC America's award-winning sci-fi series, Orphan Black, has been set in motion for the third season.

Production on the new campaign, which promises to spin out action-packed cloning drama, stemming from the season-two cliffhanger finale, is underway,

“Season two of Orphan Black not only doubled its audience, it also treated fans to double the number of clones,” Perry Simon, General Manager, BBC America said in a release. “Our network’s commitment to creating long-lasting original programming that hooks viewers and never lets them go is perfectly illustrated through this buzz-worthy series.”

The drama is produced by Temple Street Productions in connection with BBC America and Bell Media’s Space.

Season three reveals new male clones, enemies and allies, testing once strong relationships between characters Sarah, Cosima, Alison and Helena, played by Tatiana Maslany.

Maslany takes on two additional roles this season, and has received two Critics’ Choice awards as well as a Golden Globe nomination along the way.

Ari Millen returns with Jordan Gavaris, Dylan Bruce, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Evelyne Brochu, Kevin Hanchard, Michiel Huisman, Skyler Wexler, Zoé De Grand Maison and more.

For more information about Orphan Black, click here.

Beverly Hills -- BBC America has greenlight a third season of its popular sci-fi/drama series Orphan Black for a third season, the network announced Wednesday at the Television Critics Association tour.

The critically-acclaimed series starring Golden Globe-nominated actress Tatiana Maslany will launch its third season in 2015, said network officials. The season two finale last month earned series highs in Live+7, garnering 1.3 million total viewers, said BBC America.

The network has also given a new season nod to its freshman original drama series Broadchurch, network officials said during its TCA session.

BBC America also announced two new series, Tatau and The Last Kingdom, said network officials.

BBC America said drama series Orphan Black, now back for a second season, saw its audience double between live-plus-same-day viewings and live plus three days. The network said that percentage gain was the highest seen among all premieres in drama across basic cable, premium and broadcast channels going back to the start of the 2013-14 season last September.

Cable networks have begun to regularly trumpet the audience gains occuring within the C3 commercial-ratings window, especially for drama series. Other shows seeing strong gains early in their new seasons include AMC's Mad Men, which saw a 62% total-audience gain after adding three days of time-shifted viewing after its season seven premiere, and Fargo, the new FX series that posted a 68% gain after the extra three days that followed its series premiere, according to the networks.

In Orphan Black's case, the April 19 second-season premiere at 9 p.m. had 620,000 viewers on a L+SD basis. That rose to 1.237 million on a Live+3 basis, BBC America said. The cumulative total viewer number (which includes the premiere plus three encore airings) rose to 1,577,000 on a Live+3 basis, also double the L+SD result. Among viewers ages 18-49, the cumulative count rose to 746,000 with the extra three days, from 391,000, a 91% gain.

In Live+3, the season-two premiere of Orphan Black, which added audience buzz during the first-season run of the thriller starring Tatiana Maslany in multiple roles, was 41% ahead of the season-one premiere in total viewers, up 52% among ages 25-54 and up 65% among ages 18-49, the network said.

Mad Men's Live+3 numbers for the season-seven premiere on April 13 were 3.7 million in total audience, up 62% from L+SD; 1.9 million viewers among adults 25-54, a 73% gain from L+SD, and 1.8 million viewers ages 18-49, up 74% from L+SD. AMC says the series has been seeing increased time-shifting activity in recent seasons.

Fargo's lift from L+SD to Live+3 was the highest of any drama or miniseries premiere ever at the network. The total viewer figure rose 68%, to 4.46 million from 2.65 million. A cumulative number for the April 15 series debut (three airings) rose to 6.38 million L+3 total viewers from 4.15 million on a L+SD basis.

The network has seen big Live+3 gains before for its drama series, including a 53% gain for The Bridge premiere and 44% for The Americans. Fargo's three-day increase among adults 18-49 was 74%, rising to 1.78 million from 1.02 million, per FX. The networks all cited Nielsen figures.