Boat Rocker Inks Licensing Deal for Orphan Black

Boat Rocker has signed a new licensing deal with Heathside Trading for the Orphan Black franchise in the U.K., Europe and the U.S.

Heathside will launch a range of products for Orphan Black and Orphan Black: Echoes beginning in Q4 of 2024 through retail partners covering fan memorabilia, collectables and gift categories, including trading cards, action figures, vinyl figures, drinkware, slime and backpack keychains.

Orphan Black launched in 2013 and ran for five seasons. Tatiana Maslany starred in the lead role as a woman who discovers that she is a clone and that someone is plotting to kill her and her clone “sisters.”

The ten-part spin-off series, Orphan Black: Echoes, starring Krysten Ritter and Keely Hawes, launched on Stan in Australia in November 2023, followed by premieres on ITVX in the U.K. in May 2024 and on AMC and BBC America in the U.S. in June 2024. It has also been sold to NBCUniversal’s SYFY channel, where it will air across multiple EMEA territories.

The spin-off follows a group of women as they weave their way into each other’s lives and embark on a journey to unravel the mystery of their identity.

“The original Orphan Black amassed millions of dedicated and passionate fans, and its thrilling sequel Orphan Black: Echoes has reclaimed the existing fanbase and has also expanded to a whole new global audience,” said Kate Schlomann, executive VP and head of content marketing, brand partnerships and communications at Boat Rocker. “This new deal with Heathside Trading is a testament to the popularity of the Orphan Black universe and is a great tool for engaging with the loyal fanbase off-screen and growing the franchise through a fantastic range of collectable products.”

Darren Epstein of Heathside Trading added, “This franchise has a dedicated fan base, and those fans have been desperate for products that buy into the fandom of the Orphan Black show. Working with Boat Rocker, we hope to have some fan-friendly products to market as soon as possible.”