Prison Break was originally canceled in 2009 after four seasons, but the incredible popularity of the show spawned a mobile-exclusive spinoff series, video games, and even a TV movie called The Final Break. Additionally, Prison Break was brought back for a fifth season in 2017, but it was largely written off as a mistake because of its poor execution. The Prison Break franchise was left dormant in the intervening years, but a new development arrived in late 2023, which suggested that the show would soon be rebooted.
The Prison Break Reboot Latest News
Hulu Orders A Pilot Episode Of The Reboot
Though the developing project was quiet for many months, the latest news confirms that the Prison Break reboot has scored a pilot order. Expected to land on Hulu, the new series has taken a big step by securing a pilot order that will see at least one episode produced. Though many details are still under wraps, it has been confirmed that it will take place in the same universe as the original series, but won't feature Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) and Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell).
The whole purpose of a pilot is to see if the TV show will work, and it is up to Hulu to decide if the pilot episode is up to snuff.
While the pilot order is exciting, there's no guarantee that the Prison Break reboot will ever actually see the light of day. The whole purpose of a pilot is to see if the TV show will work, and it is up to Hulu to decide if the pilot episode is up to snuff. Sometimes, additional pilots are ordered to clean up a few things, but sometimes, networks pass on pilots, which usually shuts the entire project down. Considering the popularity of Prison Break, it's unlikely that Hulu will want to pass on the pilot.
The final episode of Prison Break aired on May 30, 2017.
The Prison Break Reboot Is In Development
The Project Was Announced In 2023
Though the project was announced all the way back in 2023, it took until December 2024 for the reboot to take the next step in the development phase. In the last month of 2024, Hulu ordered a pilot episode of the Prison Break reboot, but it's unclear when production will begin. The pilot will serve as a litmus test for the reboot, and it will be up to Hulu to decide if they want to green-light the show or pass on it. Some shows never make it out of the pilot phase, but Prison Break is a known quantity, making it a likely success.
See how each season of Prison Break performed:
Season 1 | 2005 | 78% |
Season 2 | 2006 | 71% |
Season 3 | 2007 | 50% |
Season 4 | 2008 | 50% |
Season 5 | 2017 | 56% |
The Prison Break Reboot Cast
Wentworth Miller Won't Return
At this juncture, it is impossible to say exactly who will be in the cast of the Prison Break reboot, but it is safe to say who won't be appearing. Original series star Wentworth Miller said he wouldn't do Prison Break season 6, and the openly gay actor rejected the idea of playing straight characters ever again. While Miller is out of the equation, Prison Break featured a massive ensemble that could return in the reboot. Recent updates have confirmed that the show will take place in the original universe, but neither Miller nor his co-star Dominic Purcell will be involved. A wholly new cast is expected in the reboot.
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The Prison Break Story Details
It Will Be A Soft Reboot
While the announcement about the Prison Break reboot was rather scant on details, it did reveal that the show would be something of a soft reboot. Instead of completely resetting the Prison Break universe, the reboot will take place in the same world as the original show but will explore other aspects of the story. This choice was likely made to attract fans of the original without totally alienating potential new viewers. This choice also leaves the door open for notable stars to return as well.
The ending of Prison Break season 5 was somewhat conclusive and saw Michael properly exonerate himself while gaining his identity back. He also refused an offer to join the CIA, and was happy to finally return to a normal life. With Wentworth Miller refusing to return, and Dominic Purcell reportedly not involved, new characters will probably take center stage. However, nothing is known about the Prison Break reboot story quite yet.
Prison Break tells the story of two brothers who must unravel a political conspiracy while escaping from one of the most secure places on Earth. When petty criminal Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) is falsely convicted of murdering the Vice President's brother, his own brother, Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller), has himself incarcerated in order to stage a daring prison break using the blueprints of the facility he has tattooed on his body.
Cast Curtis Lum , Sarah Wayne Callies , Marina Benedict , Amin El Gamal , Wentworth Miller , Steve Mouzakis , Dominic Purcell , Bobby Naderi , Christian Michael Cooper
Release Date August 29, 2005
Seasons 5
Network FOX
Writers Paul Scheuring , Nick Santora
Directors Paul Scheuring
Showrunner Paul Scheuring
English (US) ·