As a child of the 2000s, I can confidently say that Prison Break was one of those shows that made our generation truly special. I remember watching it live every week with my friends, eagerly discussing the latest twists and turns over instant messenger (remember that?). Now, as a grown-up who’s seen more than their fair share of TV shows, I can appreciate it even more for its ingenious writing, captivating plotlines, and unforgettable characters.
The 2000s are often recognized as one of the final golden ages of scripted television. Shows like “LOST”, “24”, “The Wire” and “Mad Men” graced our screens during this period, offering stories so captivating they could compete with big-screen productions. Right in the heart of this TV renaissance was the crime drama “Prison Break”, which stood out as one of the most innovative series to premiere in 2005. With over 10 million viewers tuning in for its debut, it quickly became a hit on Fox. Now, 15 years after its original broadcast ended, it’s attracting a whole new fanbase thanks to streaming services.
Based on Nielsen’s overall streaming rankings (as reported by Deadline), the television series “Prison Break” topped the charts for the week of August 5-11 with a staggering 1.6 billion minutes viewed. This represents a massive 111% increase compared to the previous week, and the significant surge in viewership can be attributed to Netflix, as while the show has been accessible on Hulu for some time, its debut on this streaming platform underscores the fact that Netflix remains the go-to destination. With over 277 million subscribers (and this number continually growing), programs that were once thought to have reached their peak many years ago are experiencing a resurgence, and “Prison Break” is simply another instance of this trend.
The remarkable writing of Prison Break, penned by Paul Scheuring and produced under his guidance, has proven its worth over time. The series follows the story of Michael Schofield (Wentworth Miller), a structural engineer who intentionally goes to prison to aid his brother, Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell), in escaping from prison for a crime he did not commit. To conceal the plans for the prison, Schofield gets an intricate tattoo on his body prior to imprisonment that subtly reveals the blueprints. This ingenious concept set Prison Break apart from other crime dramas and garnered it numerous well-deserved nominations and awards throughout its run (1997-2009), with a brief return for a nine-episode revival in 2017.
Old TV Favorites Dominate Streaming
Prison Break wasn’t the only classic show to dominate streaming for the week, as others such as Grey’s Anatomy, Dexter, Game of Thrones, and even Bluey made the list. The only series created specifically for streaming to appear in the Top 10 was The Umbrella Academy, of which Season 4 premiered on August 8, proving once more that thanks to the advent of services like Netflix, licensed titles from years past can still be put to good use to generate ratings and dollars for their creators at a time when many in the industry are struggling to pay their exorbitant electric bills.
The popularity of the show “Prison Break” on streaming platforms continues to grow, sparking even more excitement for its upcoming reboot, initially announced in 2023. Recently, executive producer Marty Adelstein shared some positive news about the project this year. Although filming has not yet begun, the renewed series now stands a better chance of being successful due to a fresh wave of viewers who are discovering the original show and are eager to follow the storyline’s continuation.
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2024-09-06 18:01