Prison Break, the American drama series that aired from 2005 to 2017, captivated audiences with its intense storylines, complex characters, and unexpected twists.
The show follows the journey of Michael Scofield, a man who deliberately gets himself incarcerated in order to help his wrongly convicted brother, Lincoln Burrows, escape from prison.
Over its five seasons, Prison Break developed a dedicated global fanbase drawn to its high-stakes suspense, themes of loyalty and family, and continuously surprising plot twists.
From the meticulous design of Michael’s full-body escape plan tattoo to the show’s iconic theme song, Prison Break left an indelible mark on popular culture.
In this article, we’ll explore some fascinating facts about the making of Prison Break, its talented ensemble cast, and the show’s lasting impact on television.
Popularity
Prison Break was a popular and successful TV series during its original run from 2005 to 2017.
The show ranked in the low 50s in popularity with around 9 million viewers during its first two seasons.
The season 1 premiere was Fox’s biggest in a while until Glee premiered.
Seasons 1 and 2 averaged 9-10 million viewers, which was good for Fox at the time. Viewership declined in later seasons, down to 4-3 million by season 4.
On IMDb, the show has high episode ratings, with season 1 averaging 9.01, season 2 at 9.20, and the overall series rating at 8.76.
In Finland and Germany, Prison Break was very popular and everyone was watching it. It was a bigger hit internationally than in the U.S.
While not as huge as Game of Thrones or Breaking Bad, Prison Break was a top 5 show on Fox from 2005-2007 and a pretty big deal when it first started. Fox heavily promoted it.
With that said let’s have a look at some fascinating facts about Prison Break;
1. Prison Break aired on Fox from 2005 to 2009, originally premiering on August 29, 2005.
2. The show was created by Paul Scheuring, who was inspired by a newspaper article about a real-life prison escape.
3. The series features the iconic duo of brothers Michael Scofield and Lincoln Burrows, played by Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell.
4. Michael Scofield’s full-body tattoo, which contains escape plans, was designed to look authentic and took 4.5 hours to apply.
5. The tattoo would realistically take about four years and cost around $20,000 to complete.
6. All Fox River prison scenes in season one were shot at the Joliet Correctional Center in Illinois, which closed in 2002.
7. The character of Lincoln Burrows was portrayed in a cell that once belonged to serial killer John Wayne Gacy.
8. Prison Break was banned in at least 13 prisons, as it was considered educational programming that could inspire escapes.
9. Wentworth Miller was cast as Michael Scofield just one week before filming began.
10. The show was initially rejected by Fox in 2003 due to concerns about its long-term viability.
11. After the success of other shows like Lost, Fox greenlit Prison Break in 2004.
12. The show has a dedicated global fanbase and has inspired other prison-themed dramas like Orange Is the New Black.
13. The series was revived for a fifth season in 2017 after a seven-year hiatus.
14. The theme song, composed by Ramin Djawadi, became iconic and set the tone for the series.
15. The show explores themes of loyalty, family, and sacrifice, particularly between the two brothers.
16. Characters in the show are named after American presidents, such as Lincoln Burrows and Theodore T-Bag Bagwell.
17. Sara Tancredi, played by Sarah Wayne Callies, was originally meant to die in the first season but became a fan favorite.
18. The character of Benjamin Miles C-Note Franklin was initially intended to appear in only two episodes.
19. Fox River’s Warden Pope, portrayed by Stacy Keach, drew on his own experiences in prison to inform his performance.
20. The series has a total of 81 episodes across its four seasons.
21. The show was filmed in various locations, including Dallas, Texas, and Los Angeles, California.
22. The character of Michael Scofield has inconsistent birth dates throughout the series.
23. A spinoff titled Prison Break: Cherry Hill was in development but was ultimately canceled due to the 2007-2008 writers’ strike.
24. The series inspired an interactive experience called Prison Break LIVE!, touring several countries.
25. The character of Veronica Donovan was one of only two regular characters never arrested.
26. The show’s suspenseful plotlines and unexpected twists kept viewers eagerly anticipating each episode.
27. The original premise of Prison Break was briefly re-conceived as a mini-series with interest from Steven Spielberg.
28. Lane Garrison, who played Tweener, served time in prison after a DUI-related incident.
29. The series was praised for its high-stakes suspense and intense moments.
30. There were 17 regular cast members throughout the original four seasons.
31. The show’s success led to a significant increase in interest in prison-themed media.
32. The series finale aired on May 30, 2009, concluding the original run.
33. The character of T-Bag is known for his cunning and manipulative behavior, adding to the show’s tension.
34. Prison Break remains a cult classic, continuing to attract new fans even years after its conclusion.
Conclusion
Over its five seasons, Prison Break left an indelible mark on television, captivating audiences with its intense storylines, complex characters, and unexpected twists.
The show’s popularity, particularly in its early seasons, demonstrated the public’s fascination with prison dramas and the high-stakes world of incarceration.
From the meticulous design of Michael Scofield’s iconic tattoo to the show’s suspenseful plotlines, every element of Prison Break was carefully crafted to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
The series explored themes of loyalty, family, and sacrifice, resonating with fans worldwide.
While viewership declined in later seasons, Prison Break maintained a dedicated fanbase that eagerly awaited each new development.
The show’s revival in 2017 after a seven-year hiatus further solidified its status as a cult classic.
As we’ve explored, the making of Prison Break was filled with fascinating facts, from the show’s initial rejection to its global success.
