Actor Wentworth Miller has ruled himself out of appearing in the sixth season of the much-loved drama, Prison Break. He says he doesn’t wish to play straight characters anymore as their stories have been “told (and told).”
There were four seasons of the Fox show between 2005-2008. A rebooted fifth season, Prison Break: Resurrection, landed in 2017, and a sixth season was in development. However, Miller, who played the lead role of Michael Scofield, says he won’t be involved.
Miller, 48, who came out as gay in 2013, took to Instagram on Sunday to announce his decision. Under a blank, white square, he talked of the positive and negative messages he receives. He appreciates the former, but not the latter.
Related: Wentworth Miller Breaks Down The Reality Gay Actors Face In Hollywood
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“‘This is my favorite IG account,’ someone wrote in response to a recent post,” Miller began.
“Thank you. I want you to know I saw that. I see the positive comments and DMs (a lot of them anyway). Affectionate. Supportive. Appreciated (by me).
“Obviously there are comments and DMs I appreciate less. Who are these people? On my page? What backwards-ass, Stone Age values country did they crawl out of? The U.S.?
“I won’t be disappearing (too many cool things to repost). The ability to comment likely will.
“I’m not concerned for myself. I can’t be “bullied” in this space. I have too much power. “Delete. Block. Deactivate.” Etc.
“But I take seriously the possibility of queer kids visiting here, recently out of the closet or exploring the idea… I don’t want them exposed to bullshit.
“On a related note… I’m out. Of PB. Officially.
“Not bec of static on social media (although that has centered the issue). I just don’t want to play straight characters. Their stories have been told (and told).
“So. No more Michael. If you were a fan of the show, hoping for additional seasons… I understand this is disappointing. I’m sorry.
“If you’re hot and bothered bec you fell in love with a fictional straight man played by a real gay one…
“That’s your work.” – W.M
Among the first to comment was Dominic Purcell, who co-stars in Prison Break. He plays the brother of Miller’s character.
“It was fun mate. What a ride it was. Fully support and understand your reasoning. Glad you have made this decision for you health and your truth. Keep the posts coming. …. love ya brother.”
Purcell’s comment has had over 25,000 likes. Purcell also posted an Instagram video, which has since been deleted. However, it was screen captured by several fans. He said that without Miller, he would also not be involved with a sixth season.
View this post on Instagram
“Prison Break 6 is not going to happen. I had a long, long talk with Wentworth, and his reasonings as to why he doesn’t want to partake in Prison Break 6 are so honorable and fully legit, and I cannot persuade, nor would I even attempt to persuade him to betray his truth. So, that’s it. 6 is not going to happen. And if it does happen, it’s not going to happen with myself or Wentworth because I’m loyal to Wentworth.”
Related: This Fat Shaming Meme Reminded Wentworth Miller Of His Suicidal Thoughts
Another of those to comment on Miller’s posting was Sarah Wayne Callies, who also appears in the show.
“Yesterday @wentworthmiller announced he’s done playing michael scofield because as a gay man he wants to focus on playing gay characters.
“With gratitude for all the work we did together, & with deep love, I’m voicing my support for that choice,” she wrote. “To all the fans, know this: the cast of prison break is a queer-friendly space. we stand with – and among – our friends & family in the LGBTQ+ community with full-throated support for their rights and artistic work. all the time. always.”
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Doctor Benway
What shocked me most is to learn there was a sixth season planned.
Cam
He must be getting plenty of job offers if he’s turning down a guaranteed paycheck.
But good for him, I WISH there was more LGBTQ content out there, so hopefully he’ll be pushing for more of that. Good for him.
Donston
There are some questions here. Like, who’s really pining for another season of Prison Break? Also, is Wentworth really being offered “straight” roles or roles in general? I also don’t entirely agree with his principles.
However, I do get where he’s coming from. There are so few “queer narratives”. And the ones we get tend to be made for a “straight audience” or for teens or tends to very safe or reductive. High-profile “gay” roles are almost always given to “straight” actors or at least actors who aren’t unabashedly into their sex. While the industry is still so full of straight/hetero-leaning worship and privilege, internalized homophobia, masculine pressures, and it still pushes actors to keep non hetero relationships DL. So, I do get where he’s coming from. I’m not sure he’d be turning down an offer to be in the next Marvel movie though.
WashDrySpin
Live in your truths….good for him…
Res1
Gay actors paying straight is underrepresented. I don’t see anything wrong with it if Hollywood is really all about inclusion. There are plenty of gay busboys looking to catch a break so why not give them a role based on their acting abilities?
Donston
That’s not how Hollywood works, and I’m sure you know that. Out, “gay” identifying actors getting “straight” roles (especially big roles) are incredibly rare because the industry fears how to market the results. If the guy is supposed to be good-looking and if it’s a decent budget production then the biggest factors in selling the role are making sure women want the guy and “straight” dudes want to be him. Acting ability is secondary. While a lot of people are tired of “straight” actors taking the majority of high-profile “gay” roles, tired of the movies’ lack of queerdom, tired of the mostly lame or reductive “queer stories” we get, tired of the industry’s hetero pressures and general problematic shit.
You can believe that any actor should be able to play whatever role no matter identity, lifestyle, relationship commitments while still admitting the industry’s construct, biases and pressures. A lot of folks don’t like admitting the latter.
missvamp
i loved that show & i honestly am happy they(wentworth & dominic) don’t want to beat a dead horse. leave it be. the fact they milked it so hard already was dumb enough. i love both actors & support them doing anything. i love dominic as legends of tmrw. too bad they killed off wentworth’s character on that show. they really do make a great team!
Kangol2
I’m amazed this show is still around, but I hope Wentworth Miller does get some quality gay roles if he’s seeking those, and please, find something for Amaury Nolasco.
whateverokok
Wow! Like anyone is banging down his door for him to play gay roles. Or any roles for that matter. Way to go Miller. Bite the hand that fed you, Real classy.
Phillip
He’s a good actor and we need more gay roles.
Let’s get to it writers!
Terrycloth
I loved him in Dinotopia