As a huge fan of the original “Orphan Black,” I was beyond excited when I heard that a new series, “Orphan Black: Echoes,” was coming our way. And let me tell you, the fifth episode of this spin-off has truly exceeded my expectations!
Echoes” episode 5 marks the halfway point of this new series that branches off from the original “Orphan Black” award-winning show. The storyline introduces the past of one major character, Kira Manning (Keeley Hawes). This episode, titled “Do I Know You?”, covers significant parts of Kira’s life: her relationship with her professor, Eleanor Miller (Krysten Ritter), and their development of a family. Throughout this period, Kira’s work on printing human organs advances. However, as Eleanor shows signs of Alzheimer’s, Kira tries to find a cure to save her. Unfortunately, Eleanor passes away, prompting Kira to create a full clone (now named Lucy, played by Ritter) of a younger Eleanor to extend their time together. However, the plan goes awry when the clone lacks any memory of their past.
In a striking and heartfelt introduction for Kihlstedt, this episode marks a surprising turn in her career. With a background in genre shows such as “Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi,” “Superman & Lois,” and “Heroes: Reborn” under her belt, Kihlstedt shared with ComicBook her experiences in portraying Eleanor’s captivating story on the set of “Orphan Black: Echoes.”
ComicBook: Kira and Eleanor’s dynamic is just so incredible. What was it like finding that dynamic with Keeley, especially given the circumstances that your character is going through?
Rya Kihlstedt: She’s truly remarkable. I can’t stress enough how impressive Keeley is. Her performances are captivating, and she consistently arrives prepared to give her best, whether it be for work or play. She’s straightforward, and I hold her in high regard, not just as a colleague but also as a friend who brings me joy. When I arrived late to the production in Toronto, I reached out to her, and we met at a hotel restaurant. Our connection was instant; we spent hours talking about our work, life experiences, and the show itself. We kept the conversation going, exchanging ideas, scripts, and thoughts. It was through these conversations that we truly came together as a pair, ready to support each other and create something special. I consider myself fortunate to have had this opportunity.
Had you heard about the original Orphan Black before this project started, or was the entire concept unfamiliar to you?
I had already taken notice of it due to watching most of the first season. I was deeply impressed by Tatiana Maslany’s acting skills and her ability to portray numerous characters so distinctly. After obtaining this, I rewatched the entire first season and couldn’t stop there, eager to discover where the story continued and which storylines would be explored further. In other words, I wanted to be fully informed about the background.
Have you collaborated with Krysten in developing Eleanor’s consistent body language across various periods of her life as portrayed in this episode? The way you both brought her character to life through body language is truly impressive and convincing.
I’m thrilled about the turn of events. Upon my arrival, there was an issue that gave me pause since I was running late. When I arrived on set, Krysten had already filmed four episodes, creating a distinct language for our production. My role was to seamlessly blend some of this established lingo into the ongoing project and maintain consistency, as Krysten and Amanda had already begun. Essentially, I played catch-up in our collaborative effort, and it put a bit more pressure on me. Ideally, we would have all started together, allowing us ample time to develop subtle gestures that could be reintroduced subtly throughout the series.
I was deeply moved by the way you portrayed Eleanor’s Alzheimer’s journey in her story. It was a poignant and beautiful performance that really resonated with me. As someone who has had a family member go through this devastating disease, I can relate to the emotions and challenges that come with it. Your portrayal felt authentic and heartfelt, making it a truly impactful experience for the audience. I’m curious, what was your process in preparing for and approaching this particular aspect of Eleanor’s story?
I’ve had the privilege of working closely with showrunner Anna Fishko on a project that required a deep understanding of memory loss and its impact on individuals and their families. Through numerous conversations with Anna, we explored various approaches to portray this complex condition authentically on screen. The challenge was immense, as there are countless ways to depict memory loss and finding the right balance was crucial.
What would you say surprised you the most about the experience of working on this entire season?
As a big fan of the production, I can’t help but reflect on the significance of being part of a team with so many women in key roles. From the producers we worked with, to the talented writers, and our inspiring director, it was truly a remarkable experience.
In this instance, I donned a prosthetic nose to resemble Krysten’s more closely and possess a defined profile. This unexpected endeavor brought about a noticeable shift in my self-perception daily.
***
New episodes of Orphan Black: Echoes air Sundays at 10/9c on AMC, BBC America, and AMC+.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
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2024-07-22 06:40