Chicago production teams and actors who worked on the first season of Prison Break have a reason to celebrate once again!
According to Nielsen’s latest streaming rankings, Prison Break topped the charts with an astounding 1.6 billion viewing minutes for the week of August 5–11, marking a 111% surge in popularity.
The crime drama, originally premiering in 2005, is enjoying a renaissance thanks to its recent debut on Netflix, capturing the attention of a new generation of viewers. While the show has long been available on Hulu, Netflix’s immense reach—boasting over 277 million subscribers worldwide—has propelled it back into the spotlight.
What Made Prison Break So Iconic?
For those who had the opportunity to be a part of its groundbreaking first season, Prison Break was always more than just another crime drama. The series, created by Paul Scheuring, stood out for its innovative plotline and unforgettable characters.
At its heart was Michael Schofield (played by Wentworth Miller), a structural engineer who engineers his own imprisonment to save his wrongly accused brother, Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell). The intricate tattoo covering Schofield’s body, which hid the prison’s blueprints in plain sight, added a unique twist that captivated audiences from day one.
Watch Season One’s opening below:
For the Chicago production teams, many of the first season’s iconic scenes were filmed in Joliet Correctional Center, giving local crew members, extras, and actors the chance to contribute to a show that quickly became a cultural phenomenon.
The city’s architecture, atmosphere, and gritty charm became integral to the show’s visual identity. The authenticity of the real prison, coupled with the dramatic and suspense-filled storyline, helped create a tense, immersive experience for viewers.
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia:
- Only the first season of Prison Break was filmed in and around Chicago.
- The tattoo on Michael Schofield’s body wasn’t just for show—according to the creators, it took four to five hours to apply each time. The detailed tattoo is an integral part of the plot and hides the secret blueprints for the prison escape.
- Dominic Purcell, who played Lincoln Burrows, filmed some scenes in the cell of John Wayne Gacy, a notorious serial killer
- Purcell accidentally broke his nose while filming one of the scenes in the fourth season. The injury was incorporated into the script to keep the show running smoothly.
- Joliet Correctional Center, the real-life prison used for much of the filming in the first season, was also the same facility used in The Blues Brothers movie. This added a layer of authenticity and history to the show’s gritty atmosphere.
- Wentworth Miller, who portrayed Michael Schofield, initially auditioned for a role in Supernatural before landing his now-iconic role in Prison Break. It was a casting decision that changed his career forever.
- The series’ creator, Paul Scheuring, had originally planned for Prison Break to be a miniseries, but due to the show’s immense success, it expanded into four full seasons, a TV movie, and a reboot season.
A Testament to Timeless Writing and Talent
The show’s Chicago-based cast and crew contributed to the stunning on-screen tension that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Prison Break was known not just for its gripping storyline but also for its well-developed, multidimensional characters that viewers formed deep connections with. From Michael’s intelligence and quiet determination to Lincoln’s powerful sense of loyalty, the series struck an emotional chord with its audience.
After its original four-season run ended in 2009, Prison Break was rebooted on Fox in 2017 for a nine-episode revival, proving its enduring appeal. Now, fans can look forward to another reboot, this time on Hulu, as the show continues to find new life in the streaming era.
It’s no surprise that even 15 years after its original run ended, Prison Break continues to attract new fans. The brilliant writing, complex characters, and nail-biting suspense make it one of the most original crime dramas of its time, and it’s evident that streaming platforms like Netflix have given it a new lease on life.
The series’ recent success on Netflix proves that great storytelling, innovative ideas, and hard work from local talent are truly timeless.
To all the Chicago actors and crew who played a part in making Prison Break the cultural touchstone, it remains today, your work is being rediscovered and celebrated by a whole new audience.
Below are the overall streaming ratings:
Overall
1. Prison Break (Hulu/Netflix), 1.6 billion minutes viewed
2. The Umbrella Academy (Netflix), 1.46 billion
3. Bluey (Disney+), 1.03 billion
4. Grey’s Anatomy (Hulu/Netflix), 940 million
5. House of the Dragon (Max), 935 million
6. Family Guy (Hulu), 881 million
7. Fire Country (Netflix/Paramount+), 765 million
8. Bob’s Burgers (Hulu), 705 million
9. Game of Thrones (Max), 689 million
10. Dexter (Netflix/Paramount+), 673 million
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Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360. Contact him at colin@reel360.com or follow him on X at @colinthewriter1
