“The best TV reboot in ages”: Why the “epic” new Prison Break series will knock the original off its throne
To say a lot has happened since Prison Break first graced our screens in 2005 would be an understatement. But sometimes nostalgia is the perfect antidote to all that change and Hulu has given us the perfect excuse to revisit one of the 2000s’ most-loved thrillers with its announcement of the best TV to come in ages. With a whole new cast (including stars from The White Lotus and Big Little Lies) and storyline, the epic new Prison Break series promises to knock the original off its throne.
For those who are unaware, the original Prison Break follows Michael (Wentworth Miller), who hatches an extraordinarily elaborate plan to free his brother Lincoln (Dominic Purcell) from prison. Michael gets into prison, in a bid to set his brother free, setting off five series of conspiracies and life-or-death escapes. This time, the story will follow an ex-soldier-turned-corrections-officer as she takes a job in one of America’s deadliest prisons – all in the name of love.
Intrigued? As we eagerly await the new series, here’s everything you need to know about the Prison Break reboot, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is the new Prison Break series about?
It’s been two decades since fictional brothers Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) and Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) had viewers gripped with the seismic hit Prison Break and fans have been longing for its return. The show ran from 2005 until 2009 and was revived for a nine-episode fifth series in 2017. The drama tells the story of Michael (Wentworth Miller), who hatches an elaborate plan to infiltrate the prison to free his wrongly incarcerated brother, Lincoln, who’s sitting on death row.
The reboot, which has been in development since 2023, takes place in the same universe, but hosts an entirely different group of characters. Emily Browning is the series lead as Cassidy, an ex-soldier who gets a job inside of one of America’s deadliest prisons to prove how far she’ll go for someone she loves – but what Cassidy intends to do inside the prison is still under wraps.
However, the streaming service has shared some of the people she’ll encounter along the way. Sam Trammell, who’s known for True Blood and Euphoria, is playing Jarrod Boggs, a powerful figure in West Virginia, while Big Little Lie’s Robin Weigert will take on the role of the prison chaplain, Chaplain Bannon.
Meanwhile, Sean Bridgers will play a devoted family man, Hollis. Chris Coy will play a dangerous inmate, Mule, and Kerry Bishé will play Mary Smith, a frightening female prisoner. Jean Louisa Kelly is joining the cast as Margaret, the matriarch of a powerful political family.
Who’s in the cast of the Prison Break reboot?
The cast of the Prison Break reboot includes:
- Emily Browning (Legend) as Cassidy Collins
- Sean Bridgers (Deadwood) as Hollis
- Sam Trammell (True Blood) as Jarrod Boggs
- Robin Weigert (Big Little Lies) as Chaplain Bannon
- Chris Coy (Black Rabbit) as Mule
- Kerry Bishé (Rupture) as Mary Smith
- Jean Louisa Kelly (Uncle Buck) as Margaret
- Drake Rodger (The Winchesters) as Tommy
- Lukas Gage (The White Lotus, Euphoria) as Jackson
- Clayton Cardenas (Lowlife) as an inmate
- JR Bourne (Teen Wolf) as Junior
- Georgie Flores (Dumplin’) as Andrea
- Kelli Berglund (Lab Rats) as Cheyenne
- Myles Bullock (White Men Can’t Jump) as Darius
Is Prison Break any good?
Yes – there’s a reason why the original Prison Break ran for so long: it’s a timeless, twisty thriller that has captivated audiences for decades. The relationship between Lincoln and Michael gives the conspiracies and cliffhangers a brilliant emotional centre. The series is still greatly popular – since Netflix acquired the drama in 2024, it has become one of the streaming giant’s biggest hits, with series 1 amassing 511 million viewing hours.
How can I watch the Prison Break reboot?
While Hulu has confirmed the reboot, a premiere date has not yet been released – but we will be sure to update you here as soon as its available. Meanwhile, you can catch up on the entire original series on U and Disney+.
What other crime dramas can I watch now?
For a more harrowing watch, we’d recommend ITV’s The Long Shadow starring Katherine Kelly, which tells the story of the desperate five-year hunt for serial killer Peter Sutcliffe. The Long Shadow is available to watch now on ITVX. For something a lot cosier, we’d suggest Pie In The Sky, which follows part-time detective/part-time chef DI Henry Crabbe (Richard Griffiths), who tackles the mysteries that plague the fictional county of Westershire, while running a restaurant. Pie In The Sky is available to watch now on Channel 4.