'Orphan Black' has found a family of fans

Get ready to see quintuple, TV fans: Clone thriller Orphan Black is back.

The sci-fi phenomenon is revving up its engines for its second-season return Saturday (BBC America, 9 p.m. ET/PT), promising higher stakes and gutsier performances from breakout star Tatiana Maslany, who plays not one but five distinctive clones (whom we know of) this season. Among them? A headstrong British punk, a high-strung soccer mom, a sexy science geek, an icy "pro-clone" executive and, new to Season 2, an ailing teacher/swim coach.

Earning a best-actress Golden Globe nomination for her work on Orphan, the 28-year-old Canadian actress is thrilled how fans — dubbed the "Clone Club" — have embraced the series.

"It's totally surreal for all of us," Maslany says. "Of course, the expectations are higher: People are watching now, we have a loyal fan base that cares a lot about the show, and we have to do it justice. But it's nice we have that support, and it helps us up our game a little bit, too."

The series premiered to 684,000 viewers for its first broadcast in March 2013 (1.3 million total with repeats), averaging 661,000 viewers for the rest of the season. But like any cult favorite still finding its legs, the show has truly flexed its muscles on social media: Orphan has more than tripled its Twitter followers (61,000) and doubled its Facebook fans (183,000) since last season ended, with finale tweets up 157% from the premiere. It was also BBC America's No. 1 show on video-on-demand last year, drawing more viewers than other network favorites Doctor Who and Broadchurch.

"It kind of succeeds in all the places that any great TV show is going to succeed, in terms of directing, writing, production and a great ensemble cast," says Perry Simon, general manager of channels at BBC America. "It also has this unique aspect of Tatiana, her performance with these multiple characters, and that it's just such a timely, unique concept.

"Everything about the show is really cool, and you cannot manufacture cool. It never ceases to amaze me."