'Orphan Black' Season 3 gets a lot of male 

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The sci-fi thriller\'s cast multiplies in Season 3, with the addition of male clones.

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Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY 8:45 p.m. EDT April 16, 2015

Tatiana Maslany is a multifaceted actress who portrays a number of clone characters including Alison Hendrix, left, Sarah Manning and Helena on Season 3 of 'Orphan Black.'

TV\'s most kick-ass women are getting some added manpower.

Orphan Black races into another breakneck season on BBC America (Saturday, 9 p.m. ET/PT), but the female clones of the cryptic Project LEDA (all played by Tatiana Maslany) won\'t be the only ones getting in on the action. As promised by an eleventh-hour reveal in the Season 2 finale, male clones from the militaristic Project Castor (played by Ari Millen) will shake things up for Sarah and her "sisters

"The story of the male clones is really seen from Sarah\'s point of view," because the show has "always been (her) trying to figure out what the hell is going on," says co-creator Graeme Manson. "It was really a critical part of moving the ball forward this year."

In two buzzy but low-rated seasons, Black has created a star out of 29-year-old Maslany and inspired a fervent online following, known as the "Clone Club." Centered around four central clones — a British grifter, uptight soccer mom, ailing scientist and unhinged Ukrainian — the pulpy drama has sparked conversations about tolerance and individuality among fans and critics, particularly with the addition of a trans-male clone (also played by Maslany) last year.

Meet the face of 'Orphan Black' male clones

For the Canadian actress, the added boost of a Y chromosome in Season 3 only strengthens the series\' feminist themes.

"This other side of the coin is just as important, and helps to give our show different viewpoints and another experience," Maslany says. "They allow the LEDA clones to look at themselves in a different way, because the Castor clones were raised as a unit, whereas the LEDA clones were raised separate. There\'s a different nature/nurture perspective that we can deal with."

Sometimes jumping among multiple clone personas over 18-hour shooting days, Maslany has won acclaim for her physically grueling and distinct performances. (She was nominated for a Golden Globe last year, although the Emmys have eluded her, to much fan discontent).

Orphan alsohas been a springboard for higher-profile projects: a younger, German-speaking version of Helen Mirren\'s character in Woman in Gold (now in theaters),and a starring role in upcoming art-house drama Two Lovers and a Bear (opposite Dane DeHaan).

Moving forward, Maslany also is up for laughs. She guest-starred on Parks and Recreation last year,and says she\'d love to appear in Broad City or Orange Is the New Black. But for the time being, she\'s in no rush to retire her erratic Orphan role.

"I can see the series going on as long as we continue to make each of the clones vital and they\'re not just one-offs or stereotypes," Maslany says.

And her dream project is tackling — alone — a remake of Charlie Chaplin\'s 1921 classic The Kid.

"I think that\'d actually be amazing, to get to do a silent film and play all those characters," Maslany says. "I\'d love to be Chaplin and the little kid and the woman."

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