Anna Fishko is an extremely successful writer and producer who has contributed to renowned television series like Fear the Walking Dead and Tyrant. At present, she holds the role of Creator and Showrunner for the upcoming AMC Networks show, Orphan Black: Echoes.
Anna Fishko Discusses ‘Orphan Black: Echoes’
“Orphan Black: Echoes,” the spinoff of the clone-centric sci-fi series, is making a comeback almost seven years after its original finale. According to showrunner Anna Fishko, the new installment will feature a unique twist on the cloning aspect.
Similar to “Orphan Black,” the award-winning series with a devoted fan following, “Echoes” follows a determined, dark-haired woman as she uncovers a major enigma surrounding her origin. However, that is where the parallels between the two shows conclude.
In the debut episode of “Echoes,” we meet Lucy, portrayed by Krysten Ritter, who awakens with amnesia and discovers she was produced in a neon-pink advanced human fabrication device. As the episode unfolds, Lucy is tormented by a dream featuring her younger self clutching a knife covered in blood.
In the end, Lucy encounters a younger version of herself, but the girl fails to recognize her. Lucy comes to the realization that the girl is yet another “print-out” clone, just like herself.
“Orphan Black” was highly acclaimed for its star Tatiana Maslany‘s ability to play numerous identical clones with distinct personalities. However, “Echoes” brings a fresh perspective by featuring clones of varying ages.
In an interview with Business Insider before the series debut, Anna Fishko explained that the intention was to create a clear distinction between the spinoff and the original show.
“We really specifically intended to do something different,” Fishko said. “I think everybody felt like Tatiana had put in such an incredible performance, and nobody really wanted to do that over again. It was hard to imagine doing that better.”
According to Fishko, the introduction of this new concept provided the writing team with the opportunity to delve into the themes of “sisterhood” and “identity” from the original show freshly and innovatively.
Despite the various ages of the clones, it was essential for them to have a cohesive appearance for the narrative to be plausible. Fishko stated that they initially chose the actress for Lucy’s role before determining the appearance of a younger version of the character.
“I think Krysten has this very kind of tough outer shell, but then there’s always this vulnerability inside that you feel on screen. Lucy’s character had been through a lot, had learned to survive in the world on her own with no support, and then, also has this deep desire to find connection and family.”
According to Anna Fishko, there was a widespread effort to find someone who resembled Ritter, and they ultimately discovered Amanda Fix, who portrays the unnamed teenage clone in the first episode’s finale. She said,
“We got really lucky. She’s an incredibly talented, wonderful performer. And then also looks pretty close to what a younger version of Kristen might have looked like.”
Taking place mainly in the year 2052, “Orphan Black: Echoes,” available on both AMC and BBC America as well as streaming on AMC+, features Krysten Ritter as Lucy, a character who suddenly finds herself with no recollection of her previous life. When she discovers a tank filled with a perplexing pink substance, she realizes that she was created in a cutting-edge laboratory.
According to Anna Fishko, who has previously covered television series like “Pieces of Her,” “The Society,” and “Fear the Walking Dead,” AMC and Boat Rocker were interested in exploring the universe of “Orphan Black” again. However, their intention was not to simply repeat the same storyline.
Rather than focusing on specific elements, Fishko delved into the larger concepts of identity, chosen relationships, sisterhood, and “the ways in which science makes us ask big questions about our lives as it advances.”
