Prison Break Season 6 Unlikely as Star Confirms Reasons for Leaving Show

Prison Break star Wentworth Miller has opened up about his decision to leave the popular drama series.

In a new post on Instagram, the actor seemed confidently ‘done’ with playing straight characters, including his long running role as Prison Break’s Michael Scofield. Miller previously came out as gay back in August 2013 after penning a letter on GLAAD’s website about how “deeply troubled” he was by the Russian government’s treatment of LGBT citizens.

Miller played the role of Scofield over five seasons on Fox from 2006 to 2017, which included a later revival. The show’s original set-up had his character concocting an elaborate plan to break brother Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) out of jail with the help of his new love interest Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies), the prison’s doctor.

But there will be no revival of Prison Break that features Miller in any way, he announced yesterday.

“I’m out. Of PB. Officially,” Miller wrote at the end of a post about the positive and negative comments he had received on Instagram. “Not [because] 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 added “So. No more Michael. If you were a fan of the show, hoping for additional seasons… I understand this is disappointing. I’m sorry. If you’re hot and bothered bec you fell in love with a fictional straight man played by a real gay one… That’s your work. – W.M.”

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"This is my favorite IG account," someone wrote in response to a recent post. Thank you. I want you to know I saw that. I see the positive comments and DMs (a lot of them anyway). Affectionate. Supportive. Appreciated (by me). Obviously there are comments and DMs I appreciate less. Who are these people? On my page? What backwards-ass, Stone Age values country did they crawl out of? The U.S.? I won't be disappearing (too many cool things to repost). The ability to comment likely will. I'm not concerned for myself. I can't be "bullied" in this space. I have too much power. "Delete. Block. Deactivate." Etc. But I take seriously the possibility of queer kids visiting here, recently out of the closet or exploring the idea… I don't want them exposed to bullshit. On a related note… 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). So. No more Michael. If you were a fan of the show, hoping for additional seasons… I understand this is disappointing. I'm sorry. If you're hot and bothered bec you fell in love with a fictional straight man played by a real gay one… That's your work. – W.M. 🏳️‍🌈

A post shared by @ wentworthmiller on Nov 8, 2020 at 10:05am PST

Miller’s Prison Break co-stars were quick to respond to his post with supportive messages.

“With gratitude for all the work we did together, & with deep love, I’m voicing my support for that choice,” Sarah Wayne Callies wrote. “To all the fans, know this: the cast of prison break is a queer friendly space. we stand with – and among – our friends & family in the LGBTQ+ community with full throated support for their rights and artistic work. all the time. always.”

Dominic Purcell also commented on Miller’s reasons for leaving the series behind. “It was fun mate. What a ride it was. Fully support and understand your reasoning. Glad you have made this decision for you health and your truth. Keep the posts coming. …. love ya brother.”

Purcell, along with the show’s creator, Paul Scheuring, had occasionally been teasing a possible sixth season of Prison Break in the works, but Fox Entertainment’s CEO Charlie Collier denied it back in mid-2019, saying there was “no plan” to move forward with more episodes of the beloved action series.

“There’s no plan right now to revive Prison Break or any of the other franchises,” he confirmed. “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.”

A Prison Break without Michael Scofield wouldn’t feel much like Prison Break, so any future revival or reboot would have to consider wiping the slate clean as an option.