Why won't there be a Prison Break season 6?
Here's why the show ended.
When Prison Break season 4 came to an end in 2009, fans thought they had seen the last of the characters.
However, in 2017, eight years after the last episode had aired on Fox, an unexpected revival saw the show return for a nine-episode fifth season.
At the time, a sixth season was also teased, prompting speculation amongst fans, which continues to this day.
So, why did Prison Break season 6 never come to fruition? Read on for everything you need to know.
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Why won't there be a Prison Break season 6?
While there was never an official announcement of a sixth season, it seems there were plans for another instalment for a while.
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In January 2018, Fox Entertainment President Michael Thorn hinted at another outing.
According to JOE.co.uk, he told press: "We are developing a new iteration of Prison Break. It's very early stages of development, but we're really excited about it. We just heard the pitch… a couple of weeks ago, an approach to the next chapter."
He continued: "But we don’t even have an outline for the pilot yet. I fully expect both brothers will be involved in the series, assuming that they’re all available. There’s a lot to figure out when you’re bringing back the cast of a show where they all have busy careers."
However, a later update from the studio suggests this initial pitch might have fallen through, based on comments from Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier at the Television Critics Association in August 2019 (via/Film).
"There’s no plan right now to revive Prison Break or any of the other franchises, but when the creators come with a story that they think is the right time to tell, we are so ready to listen because those are some franchises of which I’m so proud and feel so fortunate that they’re in our stable," he said.
In September 2020, Prison Break star Dominic Purcell got fans' hopes up once again by saying there would be a sixth season, sharing an image to his Instagram in a now-deleted post where he answered a number of rumours.
The post included the tease: "Rumour number three, will season PB 6 happen. Yes..."
However, plans for a sixth season ultimately petered out.
It presumably didn't help when Wentworth Miller, who plays Michael Scofield in the long-running series, revealed that he was leaving the show in November 2020.
In an Instagram post, the actor revealed that he wanted to pursue roles that offer representation for the LGBT+ community, writing: "I'm out. Of PB. Officially. Not bec of static on social media (although that has centered the issue). I just don't want to play straight characters. Their stories have been told (and told)."
He continued: "So. No more Michael. If you were a fan of the show, hoping for additional seasons...I understand this is disappointing. I'm sorry," he added. "If you're hot and bothered bec[ause] you fell in love with a fictional straight man played by a real gay one...That's your work."
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