AMC Cancels Orphan Black: Echoes After One Season Amid Mixed Reception

In a recent development, the sci-fi spinoff associated with the popular Orphan Black series has been discontinued by AMC after its inaugural season. This decision comes just weeks after the show wrapped up its first season.

The network opted to end Orphan Black: Echoes, which features Krysten Ritter in a leading role, subsequent to the finale of its first season on August 25, 2024. Despite an ambitious premise, the series struggled to replicate the success of its predecessor, managing only a rating of 47% on Rotten Tomatoes from audiences. Critics offered a slightly more favorable reception, but ultimately, the follow-up story will not progress to a second season.

Orphan Black originally debuted in 2013, showcasing the talents of Tatiana Maslany in various roles, alongside a talented ensemble including Dylan Bruce and Kevin Hanchard. Over five seasons, it explored the complex narrative surrounding cloning, captivating audiences until it came to a close in 2017. Echoes aimed to introduce a new generation of actors like Ritter, Amanda Fix, and Keeley Hawes, setting the storyline in 2052 to offer fresh narratives while still resonating with the elements beloved by fans of the original series.

Even though Orphan Black: Echoes did not achieve the necessary viewership for renewal, it gathered appreciation from some quarters, including IGN, which rated the 10-episode series 7/10. The review highlighted the strong performances of Ritter, Fix, and Hawes, noting that while certain elements of the plot felt overly concealed, the show gained significant traction by its fourth episode, leading to a compelling latter half of the season.

The series was the brainchild of Anna Fishko, renowned for her role in Pieces of Her and Fear the Walking Dead, with Ritter taking on additional responsibilities as an executive producer. Earlier this year, IGN revealed the show's Season 1 release date along with its striking promotional material at IGN Fan Fest 2024. The series debuted across various platforms, including AMC and BBC America.