'Orphan Black' Season 3 to premiere simultaneously on BBC America, AMC and IFC

NEW YORK, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The Season 3 premiere of the sci-fi drama series Orphan Black is to air simultaneously on sister stations BBC America, AMC, IFC, SundanceTV and WE tv April 18.

AMC Networks said this is the first time its channel group has used its combined portfolio of networks to air a premiere of its programming. BBC America is operated as a joint venture between AMC Networks and BBC Worldwide.

Orphan Black stars Tatiana Maslany in multiple roles. The show's second season "brought new enemies to light, culminating in a shocking finale which revealed a new line of male clones, played by Ari Millen," a synopsis said. "Season 3 plunges the clone sisterhood into unexpected territory with the realization that they're not alone."

"Orphan Black is a truly outstanding original series that has attracted consistent and widespread critical acclaim as well as a considerable, growing following from viewers," Ed Carroll, chief operating officer of AMC Networks, said in a statement Friday. "AMC Networks is a channel group known for high-quality storytelling and creating a premiere television event for Orphan Black is a perfect opportunity to use our programming assets to help extend the reach of this quality series."