[SPOILER ALERT: Read on only if you have already watched Thursdays season 4 premiere ofOrphan Black.]
Orphan Blackturned back the clock for its season 4 premiere.
EW spoke to show creators John Fawcett and Graeme Manson to get their take on the season premiere throwback.
Credit: Ken Woroner/BBC AMERICA
(Click through both pages to read the entire interview.)
Where did that idea come from?
GRAEME MANSON:I think we sort of got it in our pockets near the end of last year.
JOHN FAWCETT:We have been talking about a Beth episode since the very beginning.
I mean, I mentioned it to you at our very first Comic-Con in San Diego.
To keep that secret was a challenge.
MANSON:That was one of the big exciting things for us about this episode.
Pretty much all of them met horrible demises, let me just say.
FAWCETT:Well, its that kind of show.
It was a lot of fun to write, and a lot of fun for John to direct.
It was kind of a little weird reunion.
My first day of shooting was with Matt Frewer.
Who is so great as Dr. Leekie.
FAWCETT:He showed up on set and it was this amazing reunion.
He was really excited to be there.
Did you guys talk about also re-staging that train sequence that kicked off the entire series again?
Did you think about re-staging that from Beths perspective?
Was that ever something you guys talked about?
FAWCETT:Yeah, we definitely have talked about it.
Clearly you all are playing coy on that one.
Shes our main girl.
So no, we thought it was a cool break, actually.
FAWCETT:Super cool break.
We loved the idea that the opening episode was a flashback.
It actually is part of the story, the fabric of the season.
Its a little bit about Sarah.
Things that we see and discover through Beths eyes in the opening episode, we will need later.
It was always about putting Sarah in Beths footsteps, so it felt like the right thing to do.
I think its nice because we really like the idea of returning to a feel of season 1.
The world had gotten very big with us.
Our mythology had gotten very big through season 3.
How did you all andTatiana Maslanycome up with her look, sound, and backstory?
MANSON:It starts with John and I, and with the writers in the writers room, really.
Its a clone show.
Were always looking for a new clone, but we dont overdo it.
Its not a clone of the week, so were careful about introducing them.
It really starts with those early discussions with John and the writers about what is the story function.
What is the practical need of this character?
Where does it go from there, John?
And then taking the script and rehearsing it.
We did a lot of rehearsal for M.K..
The voice itself was difficult and complicated for Tat.
I think she did a remarkably great job with it, but it wasnt an easy fit.
It took a lot of work.
Im really proud of this character.
She sort of reminds me of a strange [obsessive compulsive] kind of teenager.
FAWCETT:One of my favorite things about M.K.
actually had some acme, so we kind of gave her some acne.
MANSON:And the rolled-down socks.
FAWCETT:Yeah, the sock doughnuts.
Anyway, so it was just fun.
Its always great collaborating with Tat on a new character.
They nailed it with the haircut too.
So, Art and Beth.
Those things I think we discussed a lot along the way.
Like, things happened.
Here, we really get to see it happen, and whom hasnt Tat kissed?
At this point, we were just lining them up.
Lets talk about another new character.
What can you tell us about this Detective Duko guy that comes off as in cahoots with the Neolutionists?
FAWCETT:Played by Gord Rand, a really great actor that we really enjoyed working with.
Hes clearly running his own agenda.
Hes got things going on the side.
Hes not on the up and up, clearly, and more will be revealed.
That is kind of an important character for us this season.
Its a little ghastly, but maybe another connection we see here with someone else.
FAWCETT:Its interesting, though, that Neolution has gotten its hooks into the police department as well.
Its kind of setting up this thing that you dont who the foe is.
Okay, weve just finished this prequel episode.
Give me a quick tease.
What can we expect coming up?
FAWCETT:Its definitely time to return our gang from their Icelandic holiday.
