Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Prison Break is 20 times more anticipated than all other new TV shows

Fox's revival has received staggering traction on social media

Jacob Stolworthy
Tuesday 06 September 2016 06:55 EDT
Comments
Prison Break new Season Trailer

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The arrival of September heralds the start of a whole crop of new TV shows but it seems that audiences are only truly invested in one: Prison Break.

According to analytics firm ListenFirst Media, the drama - which ended in 2009 with TV movie The Final Break - has had a total of 19.5 million social media engagements between the months of May and August. In short, that's twenty times more than any other TV series - even more impressive when considering the second most discussed show - NBC drama This Is Us (20 September) - clocked up a mere 1.56m.

Third on the list is the MacGyver reboot (558,073) which will premiere in the States on 23 September.

It's understandable that fans would be excited for Prison Break - it's been seven years since we last saw Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) and the gang - but it's staggering to see just how hyped fans are.

"The numbers show that Prison Break's return to air is met with fervour from fans who have been missing the show for years," said ListenFirst Media's co-CEO and co-founder Jason Klein.

If you've concerns that the premise of the new ten-parter will stray from the original series' trusted formula, cast them to one side: it turns out Scofield is alive, in prison and needs help breaking out.

Tipping off Scofield's brother Lincoln (Dominic Purcell) on Michael's whereabouts is former prisoner, Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell (Robert Knepper). After enlisting the help of Michael's 'widow' Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies) - the former Fox River physician he meets in season one - plans are put into motion to get Michael out.

Prison Break returns January 2017.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in