Prison Break
Prison Break
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Prison Break

"Just have a little faith."

8.1
Yr 2005
Status Ended
Action & Adventure Crime Drama
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Series Brief

Overview

Due to a political conspiracy, an innocent man is sent to death row and his only hope is his brother, who makes it his mission to deliberately get himself sent to the same prison in order to break the both of them out, from the inside out.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 70 /100

Critical reception for Prison Break is polarized between those who view it as an exhilarating, addictive thriller and those who struggle with its narrative viability. Fans and some critics praise the series for its compelling character dynamics, particularly the central brotherly bond, and highlight the complex, memorable performance of William Fichtner as Agent Alexander Mahone.

Conversely, some reviews caution that the show is built upon an unsustainable premise and note that the plotting can become exhausting and unbelievable over later seasons. While the show is widely recognized as a high-stakes, epic experience, its longevity is often a subject of debate among critics.

“An exhilarating series with a compelling plot, well-drawn characters, and unforgettable moments.”

“William Fichtner as Agent Alexander Mahone is one of the most complex and memorable villains in TV history.”

“The show seems predicated on an unsustainable premise.”

“The series eventually succumbed to three-plus seasons of ludicrous and unbelievable plotlines.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Sky Go
UK
Disney Plus
CA • UK
Hulu
US
Show 1 more
UKTV Play
UK
Why fans love it

The high-stakes mechanics of the escape define the pacing of Prison Break. Wentworth Miller leads a cast that navigates a rigid, claustrophobic environment where every architectural detail serves as a potential tool or a lethal obstacle. The show functions on a relentless logic of cause and effect, forcing characters to solve complex puzzles while hiding their true intentions from guards and fellow inmates.

Beyond the physical walls, the narrative relies on the tension between brotherly obligation and a deep-seated political conspiracy. This dynamic shifts the focus from simple jailbreak mechanics to a wider investigation of systemic corruption. By pairing narrow, tactical victories with the looming shadow of an institutional plot, the series maintains a steady level of urgency that persists even after the prisoners are technically free.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 10
Longest run 88 eps
Wentworth Miller
Wentworth Miller
as Michael Scofield
88 episodes
Marshall Allman
Marshall Allman
as LJ Burrows
44 episodes
Dominic Purcell
Dominic Purcell
as Lincoln Burrows
88 episodes
Sarah Wayne Callies
Sarah Wayne Callies
as Sara Tancredi
75 episodes
William Fichtner
William Fichtner
as Alexander Mahone
57 episodes
Paul Adelstein
Paul Adelstein
as Paul Kellerman
47 episodes
Wade Williams
Wade Williams
as Brad Bellick
79 episodes
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe
as Gretchen Morgan
35 episodes
Show 67 more
Robert Knepper as Theodore 'T-Bag' Bagwell 88 episodes Amaury Nolasco as Fernando Sucre 82 episodes Danay García as Sofia Lugo 13 episodes Peter Stormare as John Abruzzi 23 episodes Robin Tunney as Veronica Donovan 22 episodes Chris Vance as James Whistler 13 episodes Robert Wisdom as Norman "Lechero" St. John 13 episodes Michael Rapaport as Donald Self 22 episodes Inbar Lavi as Sheba 9 episodes Augustus Prew as David 'Whip' Martin 9 episodes Mark Feuerstein as Jacob Ness 9 episodes Julio Cesar Cedillo as Général Mestas 13 episodes Stacy Keach as Warden Henry Pope 23 episodes Muse Watson as Charles Westmoreland 22 episodes Said Bey as terrorist 9 episodes Rockmond Dunbar as Benjamin 'C-Note' Franklin 54 episodes Frank Grillo as Nick Savrinn 16 episodes Camille Guaty as Maricruz Delgado 7 episodes Crystal Mantecon as Suor Mary Francis 3 episodes Curtis Wayne as Cheo 3 episodes Davi Jay as Papo 3 episodes Kim Coates as Richard Sullins 4 episodes F.J. Rio as Augusto 3 episodes Laurence Mason as Sammy 7 episodes Alex Fernandez as Hurtado 3 episodes Callie Thorne as Pam Mahone 6 episodes John S. Davies as Elliot Pike 3 episodes Carlo Alban as McGrady 8 episodes Wilbur Fitzgerald as Bruce Bennett 6 episodes Tony Denison as Aldo Burrows 3 episodes Jessalyn Gilsig as Lisa Fichs 5 episodes James Hiroyuki Liao as Roland Glenn 7 episodes Shannon Lucio as Trishanne 6 episodes Phillip Edward Van Lear as Louis Patterson 13 episodes Christian Stolte as Stolte 8 episodes Daniel Allar as Avocado 4 episodes Jude Ciccolella as Howard Scuderi 3 episodes Jeff Perry as Terrence Steadman 4 episodes Barbara Eve Harris as Lang 11 episodes Matt DeCaro as Roy Geary 10 episodes Cynthia Kaye McWilliams as Kacee Franklin 4 episodes Stacy Haiduk as Lisa Tabak 4 episodes Danielle Campbell as Gracey Hollander 4 episodes K.K. Dodds as Susan Hollander 3 episodes Kathleen Quinlan as Christina Rose Scofield 6 episodes Al Sapienza as Philly Falzone 4 episodes Gianni Russo as Smallhouse 3 episodes Patricia Wettig as Caroline Reynolds 3 episodes Anthony Starke as Sebastian 3 episodes Reggie Lee as Bill Kim 13 episodes Kurt Caceres as Hector 3 episodes Alexandra Lydon as Ann 3 episodes Jason Davis as Wheeler 9 episodes Diana Scarwid as Jeanette Owens 3 episodes John Heard as Frank Tancredi 7 episodes Danny McCarthy as Danny Hale 18 episodes Rich Komenich as Maggio 4 episodes Jennifer Joan Taylor as Becky 7 episodes Anthony Fleming III as Trumpets 4 episodes Michelle Forbes as Samantha Brinker 7 episodes DuShon Monique Brown as Katie Welch 8 episodes Mac Brandt as Mack Andrews 7 episodes Kristin Malko as Debra Jean 4 episodes Christian Michael Cooper as Mike Scofield 7 episodes Silas Weir Mitchell as Charles 'Haywire' Patoshik 11 episodes Dylan Minnette as Young Michael 5 episodes Richard David Lecoin as In-mate (uncredited) 4 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Prison Break overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

prison prisoner brother conspiracy escape fugitive wrongful imprisonment ex-con escaped prisoner effects from the past excited
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
August 29, 2005
Status
Ended
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
6,098