1. Executive Summary The concept of the prison break has been a compelling narrative device in fiction for over a century. However, the specific title Prison Break is most famously associated with the American television series created by Paul Scheuring. This report details the release year of the original Prison Break series (2005), its subsequent seasons, revival, and the broader context of major prison-escape films that share thematic elements. Understanding the release timeline is crucial for analyzing the evolution of the genre, audience reception, and the series’ impact on serialized television. 2. Prison Break (TV Series): Core Release Years The flagship Prison Break franchise began on August 29, 2005 , when the first episode aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company in the United States. 2.1 Season-by-Season Release Timeline | Season | Subtitle / Focus | Original Run Dates | Number of Episodes | |--------|----------------|--------------------|--------------------| | 1 | "First Break" / Fox River State Penitentiary | August 29, 2005 – May 15, 2006 | 22 | | 2 | "The Fugitives" / Manhunt | August 21, 2006 – April 2, 2007 | 22 | | 3 | "The Company" / Sona Prison (Panama) | September 17, 2007 – February 18, 2008 | 13 | | 4 | "The Final Break" (originally) | September 1, 2008 – May 15, 2009 | 22 (plus a TV movie) | | 5 | "Revival" / Ogygia Prison (Yemen) | April 4, 2017 – May 30, 2017 | 9 |