This 5-Part Sci-Fi Thriller on Netflix Is a 10/10 Masterpiece That Keeps Getting Better

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Tatiana Maslany as clone Cosima standing alone in the episode Ruthless in Purpose and Insidious in Method from Orphan Black

Published Feb 14, 2026, 3:45 PM EST

Kendall Myers is a Senior Author with Collider. As part of the TV and Movies Features team, she writes about some of the most popular releases before, during, and after they premiere. In three years, she has written over 900 articles with topics ranging from classic sitcoms to fantasy epics.

Few series manage to maintain their quality throughout their run, and when a show manages that, it deserves to be remembered. Fortunately, in the era of streaming, shows are readily available in their entirety for fans to judge for themselves, including Orphan Black, a 2013 sci-fi thriller that earned an incredible reputation. The sci-fi genre has provided several stellar TV series, especially recently, as Stranger Things, Severance, and Pluribus have risen to prominence. While these shows may have ignited a new interest in the genre, some of the older series are just as good, and Orphan Black is a perfect example.

Even 13 years later, the series holds up. Starring Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black centers on an intriguing mystery as a group of clones uncovers their past. Through this concept, the story explores the ideas of identity, nature versus nurture, and the morality of scientific advancement. Many such series with a fascinating premise fail to live up to their potential, yet Orphan Black doesn't have that problem. With five seasons, the series is a perfect binge-watch that will not only keep audiences guessing but also remain consistent and offer a satisfying ending to the story. Though underrated, Orphan Black is ideal for any sci-fi fan with a Netflix account.

What Is 'Orphan Black' About?

Orphan Black's story revolves around a mystery that the audience discovers alongside the characters. The series begins by introducing Sarah Manning (Maslany), a con artist who discovers a woman who looks shockingly like her on a train. But the mystery grows when that woman kills herself. With questions that she can't answer, Sarah assumes the look-alike's identity as she tries to uncover their connection. Ultimately, she discovers that they are both clones, and they are not the only two. Sarah finds more clones, teaming up with them to understand how and why they were created. The series' main characters include several clones, all played by Maslany, who has the unique challenge of playing multiple identical-but-distinct clones, totaling 17 different parts. The performance earned Maslany an Emmy in 2016.

Throughout Orphan Black, the characters, including Sarah, her "sisters," and her foster brother, Felix (Jordan Gavaris), discover that the clones are part of an illegal experiment by the Dyad Institute and someone is trying to eliminate them. As they search for answers, they learn that the Dyad Institute hopes to profit from this technology and, as such, closely monitors the clones, treating them as experiments rather than the human beings they are. The series allows Sarah and the other clone characters to undergo a journey of self-discovery as they learn the truth and assert their independence, but at its heart, Orphan Black is a gripping mystery about the conspiracy surrounding their creation.

The-10-Best-'Orphan-Black'-Episodes,-Ranked

Tatiana Maslany as four different clone versions sitting outside by a fire in Orphan Black.

While Orphan Black is a fascinating sci-fi series, it isn't all mystery. The show balances intrigue with personal drama and comedy, creating a well-rounded story that everyone can enjoy. And, most remarkably, in five seasons, there isn't a sudden drop-off in quality at the end. The final two seasons have scores on Rotten Tomatoes as high as the first two, and although Season 3's score sinks slightly, it remains at a very respectable 83%. This is a rarity, especially for mysteries that are constantly trying to outdo themselves from season to season. Orphan Black's consistency proves that the show deserves more recognition.

Orphan Black avoids another common issue with its conclusion. Finales are hard, especially for mystery series, which have built so many questions that require satisfying answers, but without spoilers, Orphan Black sticks the landing. Fans widely agree that the show has a satisfying ending as it embodies the themes of humanity and found family while bringing the story full circle. Of course, there is a short-lived spin-off, Orphan Black: Echoes, but the addition is unnecessary for the story's conclusion. Orphan Black may be a bit of a commitment, but its fascinating story and perfect ending make it well worth the time.

Release Date 2013 - 2017

Network Space, BBC America

Showrunner Graeme Manson

Directors Ken Girotti, T.J. Scott, David Wellington, Grant Harvey, Helen Shaver, Aaron Morton, Brett Sullivan, Chris Grismer, Peter Stebbings

Writers Aubrey Nealon, Karen Walton, Tony Elliott, Peter Mohan, Sherry White, Jeremy Boxen, Kate Miles Melville, Greg Nelson, Jenn Engels, Nikolijne Troubetzkoy