Out actor Wentworth Miller to return for Prison Break revival
Prison Break is set to return – with out actor Wentworth Miller set to make a comeback in his most famous role.
Miller portrayed expert prison breaker Michael Scofield in the Fox series from 2005 to 2009, rising to prominence in Hollywood.
He came out as gay in 2013, while declining to attend a film premiere in Russia because of its anti-gay laws.
He later admitted that he was scared to come out while portraying the macho character – saying he was worried it would impact his career.
The actor admitted: “In that time, I gave thousands of interviews I had multiple opportunities to speak my truth which is that I was gay.
“But I chose not to… I chose to lie. When I thought about the possibility of coming out, how that might impact me and the career I worked so hard for, I was filled with fear. Fear and stubborn resistance that had built up over many years.”
It was confirmed this week that he will return to the show for a new 10-episode run – despite being killed off in the original finale.
Fox Chairman Gary Newman said: “It’s going to bring back both brothers, [played by] Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell.”
CEO Dana Walden added: “I would describe it as a bit of a sequel. It picks up the characters several years after we left them in the last season of the show.
“The brothers will be back. Some of the iconic characters from that show will be back. I don’t think [exec producer] Paul [Scheuring] knows exactly where he’s going over the 10-episode arc, but it definitely will address some questions that were set up at the end of the series for a new audience.”
“It’s going to take a little bit of a detour from where we left off, but it should feel very satisfying and event-ized. Fans will be excited about seeing these characters back together again.”
Speaking about how the show will get around the death of Miller’s character, she added: “What [Scheuring] pitched to us was a very logical and believable – in the world of Prison Break – explanation for why out characters are alive and still moving around the world.”
Newman added: “He had a very detailed incredible story for why these characters become relevant again and why they’re back.”
