The PRISON BREAK universe is expanding again, and this time it’s doing so with a fresh look, new characters, and a very real—and haunting—filming location. The pilot episode of the rebooted PRISON BREAK series was recently filmed at the historic West Virginia State Penitentiary in Moundsville.
This Gothic-style prison, constructed in 1866 and decommissioned in 1995, has long been known for its eerie appearance and ghost tours. Now, it’s serving as the gritty backdrop for Hulu’s new take on the iconic series originally aired on FOX from 2005 to 2009.
FILMING LOCATIONS: MOUNDSVILLE & WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA
Production for the PRISON BREAK reboot took place from June 6 to June 30, covering both Moundsville and nearby Wheeling. Most notably, the team used the West Virginia State Penitentiary, a site popular among paranormal enthusiasts. Local authorities confirmed that while the filming may have led to minor traffic disruptions, the city fully welcomed the opportunity.
Rick Healy, Moundsville City Manager, called the filming “a great thing” and emphasized how the penitentiary continues to be a “gold mine” for tourism. He added that its inclusion in high-profile productions like PRISON BREAK helps shine a positive spotlight on the area.
THE PRODUCTION: HULU AND 20TH TELEVISION
The reboot is produced by 20th Television and directed by Elgin James, best known for his work on Mayans M.C.. The production even opened casting calls for local extras. People were invited to audition as prisoners, guards, townspeople and more—no acting experience necessary. Extras were paid $210 per 12-hour workday, with the possibility of overtime.
CAST AND CHARACTERS
This new chapter features a fresh ensemble led by Lukas Gage (The White Lotus), who plays a political candidate, and Emily Browning as Cassidy Collins—a former soldier now working as a corrections officer.
Other major cast members include:
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Ray McKinnon as Joe Dahl, a private investigator digging into a decades-old murder
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Margo Martindale as the warden of one of the country’s deadliest prisons
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Donal Logue as Holt Keane, a grieving father
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Lili Taylor as Mullen, a determined mother
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Drake Rodger as Tommy, an inmate wrongly convicted
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Clayton Cardenas, Georgie Flores, Priscilla Delgado, Myles Bullock, and JR Bourne in key supporting roles
Notably, none of the original series stars, including Wentworth Miller or Dominic Purcell, have been confirmed to return—at least for now. But since the reboot exists within the same universe, future cameos remain a possibility.
WHAT’S THE STORY THIS TIME?
While plot specifics are under wraps, early details suggest the new PRISON BREAK will take place in a mixed-gender prison, marking a departure from the all-male facility of the original series. Themes will revolve around wrongful convictions, personal justice, and complicated relationships—mirroring the high-stakes drama of the original while introducing a more modern and inclusive setting.
The cast list and character descriptions hint at intersecting storylines: a politician in the middle of a campaign, a pregnant inmate with a partner in the same prison, a wrongly accused man, and a fellow inmate ordered to eliminate him.
EXPECTED RELEASE
With just a pilot filmed and no official series order yet, a full season is not guaranteed. If Hulu decides to pick it up, viewers likely won’t see the reboot until sometime in 2026.
