Why fans shouldn't expect Prison Break season 6? Reasons explored

Fans have been expecting Prison Break season 6 since the series ended with its fifth season in 2017. While many feel it was fit to end the show where it was, others are not on the same page. Many still hope that the prison drama will return to their screens.

However, fans shouldn't hold out much hope for Prison Break season 6. The show's popularity had decreased by 2017 when its last season premiered, so the decision was made to end the story there.

The lead actor of the show, Wentworth Miller, has also decided not to return to Prison Break, making the revival of the show for a sixth season almost impossible. His decision was backed by his co-star Dominic Purcell as well.

Fox Entertainment might decide to revive the franchise with a different storyline, but that would be a completely different show with no relation to the original series. Even this possibility has no confirmation as of yet.

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Why should fans not keep high hopes for Prison Break season 6?

The official poster image released for Prison Break in 2005 (via Fox)

It's not likely that Prison Break season 6 will make a return to screens. That's due to multiple reasons regarding plot, viewership and even the main cast of the show.

By season 5, both critics and audiences were on the fence with the show's progressing storyline. With Michael in a Yemen prison and Sara pursued by deadly agents, many felt that the story was being stretched. The seven-year time gap between Michael's supposed death and the events of the season did nothing to alleviate the sudden shock viewers seemed to feel.

Due to the chinks in the plot armour, the show's views started to drop. Despite the massive success of the earlier seasons, the last one received a very lukewarm response.

Wentworth Miller as Michael in a still from Prison Break (via Fox)

Most importantly, though, Prison Break season 6 cannot move into production, as one of the main cast members is set on not returning to the show. The lead of the show Wentworth Miller (who plays Michael) has firmly refused to go back on the show.

That's mainly because Miller came out as gay in 2013 and has decided to essay characters who are LGBTQIA+ only. This is the actor's political statement against those in the industry who may be homophobic, and he has refused to play straight characters on multiple occasions.

Due to this, Miller has said that he will not return to Prison Break, though he understands how disappointing the decision might be for fans.

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What was the response to the earlier seasons of Prison Break?

Dominic Purcell as Lincoln in a still from the show (via Fox)

When the show originally premiered in 2005, it received an amazing response from critics and audiences. It was considered revolutionary in American drama. Prison Break soon started receiving awards and doing very well with viewership. The series was even nominated at the Emmys.

However, reviews started to decline after the first season. As the brothers Michael and Lincoln went on the run, the story seemed to lose its allure for many viewers. By seasons 4 and 5, the reviews dropped, and the show lost many fans too. Although there was initially a slight possibility of Prison Break season 6, Fox decided to shut the show down in 2017 with season 5.

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Prison Break season 6 is unlikely to air. However, the previous seasons of the show are available to stream online on platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ based on regional availability.