Orphan Blackis a rare sci-fi series that was allowed to run its course, unlike many othersci-fi shows that have been canceled far too soon. Sci-fi shows can take time to find their audience, and many become cult classics later. However,Orphan Blackwas a success from its first season, and the show has a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The sci-fi genre can be complex, and it can be much harder to tell the story within a movie’s shorter runtime. This is why manysci-fi TV shows are better than any blockbuster moviewhen given the chance to tell the full story.Orphan Blackis one ofthe best sci-fi shows on Netflixand a must-watch for fans of the genre.

Orphan Black promotional picture featuring Helena, Sarah, Alison, and Cosima, played by Tatiana Maslany

Orphan Black Is A Twisty Sci-Fi Series About Clones

Orphan Blackbegins with the small-time hustler Sarah, who sees a woman who looks identical to her walk in front of a train. Seeing a way out of her situation, Sarah steals the woman’s identity and finds herself at the center of a terrifying government experiment involving clones.The show highlights Tatiana Maslany’s acting talent, as she plays17 different clones inOrphan Black.

In fact, not only does the actress embody multiple characters, but has to show them pretending to be each other. As more of the clones begin to contact each other, the series grows ever more complex, with twists and turns throughout, beforeOrphan Black’s season 5 gave us closure and effectively wrapped up the story.

Cosima (Tatiana Maslany) and Kira (Skyler Wexler) read a book in Orphan Black

Why Orphan Black Is Better As A TV Show Than A Movie

Even the longest movies tend to run for just three hours, andOrphan Blackhas so many characters that it would be difficult to do them all justice, even in a long movie. That is before taking into account the fact that so many of the characters look identical. MakingOrphan Blacka TV show does not just allow for character development, but redemption arcs.

Helena is one of the fan-favorite characters inOrphan Blackfor her distinctive look and intense storyline. Helena believes that it is her divine destiny to kill the clones, but later finds a family among them. This story alone could be a movie, butOrphan Blackis a sci-fi masterpiecebecause it has time to make all the main characters three-dimensional.

Tatiana Maslany wearing a hoodie and standing in front of the main Orphan Black characters

Orphan Black Is One Of The 21st Century’s Best Sci-Fi Shows

The best sci-fi shows of all timeare generally extremely well-acted and with a story that offers something unique.Orphan Blackstands out for the way it tells a complicated storyin a way that is compelling and never loses focus. The show could have gotten bogged down in its own plot, but instead, it kept viewers invested throughout the show’s run.

The clone aspect ofOrphan Blackis exciting on its own, but the show pushes this concept further with ethical questions. Many fantastic sci-fi shows explore the relationship between scientific advancements and human nature, andOrphan Blackdoes this perfectly. Even today, the series feels relevant, especially in conversations around bodily autonomy, so it will likely remain a sci-fi classic.

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