Wentworth Miller Just Flat Out Quit Prison Break Because He "No Longer Wants To Play Straight Characters"

Source - The actor announced on Instagram on Sunday that he's officially retiring from playing Prison Break's Michael Scofield because he no longer wants to play straight roles.

Prison Break ran on Fox for four seasons from 2005 to 2009 and then returned for a revival season in 2017. Miller starred as Michael alongside Dominic Purcell as Michael's brother Lincoln, who needed to be broken out of prison. They both reprised their roles for season five, and Fox originally had plans for a sixth season but as of 2019, those plans were no longer in play. 

Now, Miller, who came out as gay in 2013, says he never plans to play Michael again. 

"I'm out. Of PB. Officially," he wrote as part of a long caption about social media bullying. "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."  

First of all, I had no idea Prison Break was still on the air so this is shocking to me for a number of reasons. Second, I'm not sure I understand where he's coming from. You quit because you don't want to play straight characters? Because gay ones need more of a voice? Is there a role waiting for you or something? How does taking yourself, a gay man, off air help with representation of gay people? Don't get me wrong, I understand the sentiment, but at the same time I feel like abruptly removing yourself from a show just to make a statement is incredibly selfish. Not just to the fans, but to every member of the cast and crew. Imagine being a camera dude who finally found work in the middle of a pandemic only to learn that your job has been canceled because Wentworth-fucking-Miller is unhappy with the fictional character he's playing? It's insane. And what about the gay kids who liked watching you play that character? Ever think about them?

By the way, it's not like Miller is some gay crusader either. He got famous in 2005 and didn't publicly come out until 2013 at 39-years-old. I think he thinks he's doing more good than he actually is. Maybe he's trying to make up for lost time…

He also had this to say, which I could not disagree more with..

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.

Sheltering people from things you deem harmful is never the right move. Why? Because when they eventually get exposed to whatever it is you're sheltering them from, they won't know how to handle it. The world is a big, bad, mean, place and the sooner people understand that the better equipped they'll be to handle it. Especially gay people.

Having said all that, yes, I'd love to see more gay character on on television and in the media. I just don't think the people playing those characters should be limited to their real life sexuality. I spoke with Jake Borelli about that a few weeks back on Out & About. Listen below!