After years of speculation and stalled development, the long-discussed Prison Break reboot has officially found a home at Hulu. The streaming platform has ordered a new series set within the same universe as the original Fox hit, but with an entirely new cast and storyline. This fresh take marks a full reset for the franchise, moving away from the Michael Scofield and Lincoln Burrows saga that defined the original run.
The reboot features a new ensemble led by Emily Browning (Ghost Ship), Lukas Gage (Smile 2), Drake Rodger (The Winchesters), Clayton Cardenas (Mayans M.C.), JR Bourne (Teen Wolf), Myles Bullock (Runaways), and Georgie Flores (Dumplin’). Browning will play Cassidy, described as an ex-soldier who transitions into a corrections officer. Her motivations appear personal—she’s reportedly working to help someone escape from one of the country’s most dangerous prisons. Beyond that setup, plot details remain under wraps, though the tone and tension of the original Prison Break are expected to influence this new chapter.
Elgin James, best known as the co-creator of Mayans M.C., will write, executive produce, and serve as showrunner for the reboot, also directing the pilot episode. He’s joined by Prison Break creator Paul Scheuring, along with returning executive producers Dawn Olmstead, Marty Adelstein, and Neal Moritz—names familiar to longtime fans of the series.
The original Prison Break, which debuted on Fox in 2005, became a defining thriller of its time, running for five seasons and later returning for a limited revival in 2017. Talk of a reboot first surfaced in late 2023, but momentum built slowly. Dominic Purcell, who starred as Lincoln Burrows alongside Wentworth Miller’s Michael Scofield, confirmed earlier this year that neither actor would return, effectively passing the torch to a new generation.
While the decision to overhaul the cast might disappoint fans hoping for nostalgia, Hulu’s approach reflects a broader industry trend: reimagining proven franchises rather than continuing them. With the creative team behind Mayans M.C.involved, the reboot could lean more heavily into grounded, character-driven storytelling while maintaining the tension and moral complexity that defined the original.
All five seasons of Prison Break remain available to stream on Hulu, offering viewers a chance to revisit the original before the reboot arrives. Details on a release window haven’t been announced yet, but production is expected to begin soon.
