Breakout Kings Explained

Genre:Action
Crime
Thriller
Creator:Nick Santora
Matt Olmstead
Starring:Laz Alonso
Domenick Lombardozzi
Brooke Nevin
Malcolm Goodwin
Serinda Swan
Jimmi Simpson
Composer:Ramin Djawadi
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:23
List Episodes:List of Breakout Kings episodes
Executive Producer:Peter Chernin
Matt Olmstead
Katherine Pope
Nick Santora
Gavin Hood
Producer:Lauren Stein
Ed Milkovich
Joseph Patrick Finn
Editor:Etienne Des Lauriers
Eric Seaburn
Paul Trejo
Scott Eilers
Chris Conlee
Location:Toronto
Baton Rouge[1]
Cinematography:Derick V. Underschultz
Fernando Argüelles
Jim Whitaker
Runtime:43 minutes
Company:Matt Olmstead Productions
Blackjack Films
Chernin Entertainment
Fox 21
Channel:A&E

Breakout Kings is an American drama television series that aired on the A&E network. It is a production of Fox 21. The series was created, written, and executive-produced by Nick Santora and Matt Olmstead, who previously worked together on Prison Break. Peter Chernin, Katherine Pope, and Gavin Hood also served as executive producers.[2]

Though the guest appearance of Prison Break character Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell confirms a shared continuity between the two series, it is not a direct spin-off. Frank Grillo, who recurred in Prison Breaks first season as Nick Savrinn, appears in the episode "Queen of Hearts" as a different character named Agent Stoltz.

The series premiered on March 6, 2011,[3] and was the most-watched original drama series in A&E's history among adults 25–54 and adults 18–49, delivering 1.6 million adults 25–54 and 1.5 million adults 18–49.[4]

The series was picked up for a second season which premiered on March 4, 2012. The second-season finale aired on April 29, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET/PT and featured two back-to-back episodes, "Freakshow" and "Served Cold", instead of the usual one-hour installment at 10 p.m.[5] [6]

A&E cancelled Breakout Kings on May 17, 2012, after two seasons.[7]

Premise

The series follows a task force assembled by the U.S. Marshals to capture prison escapees. Several current convicts are offered a chance to aid in this effort, with the promise of a transfer to a minimum-security prison and a reduction in their sentences for every fugitive they catch. However, if any of them tries to escape, they will all be returned to their original prisons and their sentences will be doubled.

Cast

See main article: List of Breakout Kings characters.

The team

The fugitives

Development and production

Breakout Kings was originally in development for the Fox network. Matt Olmstead and Nick Santora wrote the pilot, after receiving a script commitment from Fox in August 2009.[9] In January 2010, Fox greenlit a pilot episode.[10] On May 12, 2010, it was announced that Fox did not pick up the series for the 2010–11 television season.[11] Fox attempted to sell Breakout Kings to other networks,[11] [12] and in June 2010, it was reported that A&E had picked up the drama for 13 episodes.[13]

Production was expected to begin in fall 2010 in Toronto for a 2011 premiere.[14] Robert Knepper appeared as his Prison Break character T-Bag in episode 3 of season one.[15] [16] The other characters from Prison Break are also mentioned as "the Fox River 8" in that episode.

Episodes

See main article: List of Breakout Kings episodes.

SeasonEpisodesOriginally airedDVD and Blu-ray releases
width=15%Season premierewidth=15%Season finalewidth=15%Region 1width=15%Region 2width=15%Region 4width=15%Blu-ray
113March 6, 2011May 30, 20112012[17] March 21, 2012[18] March 28, 2012[19]
210March 4, 2012April 29, 2012

Broadcast

U.S. Nielsen ratings

The series premiered on March 6, 2011. It premiered as the most-watched original drama series in A&E's history among adults 25–54 and adults 18–49, delivering 1.6 million adults 25–54 and 1.5 million adults 18–49.

The series was picked up for a second season of 10 episodes on July 6, 2011 which premiered on March 4, 2012. The season finale of the second season aired on April 29, 2012 at 9 pm ET/PT featured two hours of back-to-back episodes "Freakshow" and "Served Cold" instead of the usual one-hour episode at 10 pm. One of the executive producer and creator Nick Santora once opined, "Our DVR+7-day numbers are really strong. A lot of people are watching the show; a lot of them just don't watch it on the night it premieres."[20]

International distribution

Country Channel References
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CHCH A&E (TV channel)[28]
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DVD releases

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, season one holds an approval rating of 41% based on 27 reviews, with an average rating of 4.70/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Breakout Kings is a show that likes to take risks, but the execution is flat and other elements don't stand out from the rest of the procedural pack."[47]

The Daily News David Hinckley opened, "This is what cable dramas can do well: a simple, stripped-down, focused drama with characters we like."[48] Jonathan Storm of The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote, "Breakout Kings, an exciting crime drama that adds to its appeal with some character types we don't often see, will attract a much wider audience, as our flawed heroes seek to round up escapees."[49] Mary McNamara of Los Angeles Times opined that "Breakout Kings starts out with a promising blend of character and plot, action and dialog, sweet and savory".[50] Maureen Ryan of Huffington Post opined that it "isn't a particularly creative drama but, as was the case with Prison Break in its early seasons, Breakout Kings is sustained by a workmanlike momentum. It has its share of clunky characters and predictable moments, but it also has a lot of earnest energy. It's enlivened by a terrific performance from Jimmi Simpson, who plays Lloyd Lowery, the show's all-purpose weirdo."[51]

Rob Owen of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote, "There are no television breakthroughs in Breakout Kings, a pretty pat procedural that tries a little harder than some of its predecessors. It has all the hallmarks of one of those shows that nobody talks about but plenty of people watch."[52] Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter opined, "Kings is mostly closed-ended with snippets of each con's past revealed in the episodes, so there's enough interest to keep the show moving. The leads' backstories might have some meat on the bone as well. It's not The Wire or The Shield but falls comfortably within that basic-cable safe zone where a little edge and bountiful entertainment pass the time just fine."[53]

On the contrary, Hank Stuever of The Washington Post opined, "It doesn't work. There's a bit of banter well-delivered and some artful action, yet Breakout Kings lacks a certain vim and chemistry required for a real breakout series. It's all very quick but rather flavorless. They'll catch the escapee, no doubt, but they can't catch us."[54] Robert Bianco of USA Today opined, "Breakout Kings is an uninspiring attempt by the producers and their network to be the last on the procedural match. It's stamped with many of the Prison hallmarks: the same affection for intricate plot mechanics, the same flair for the dramatic—and the same disdain for logic and character motivation." Varietys Brian Lowry wrote, "The premise doesn't really make much sense. It's a tough, competitive cable world out there, and as the cons might testify, coming away with a big score requires risks. By that measure, Breakout Kings doesn't do enough to stand apart, diminishing its chances of breaking out."[55] Brian Ford Sullivan from The Futon Critic reviewed Breakout Kings in June 2010, calling the show a "violent version of Leverage with colorful characters and a great performance by Jimmi Simpson as Dr. Lloyd Lowery, but with some inconsistencies like the character of Brooke Nevin and a bunch of ideas that don't quite fit."[56]

To garner more publicity, the network screened the show for a number of reviewers in the weeks prior to official airing. One such review came out on SpoilerTV on February 22, 2011 and echoed Sullivan's initial problems with characterization and writing. Indications were that Breakout Kings seems to suffer from rough writing in the pilot, but there was slight improvement in a subsequent episode. However, the overall impression was that the flaws of the show may handicap its success.[57] Echoing these issues, FlickDirect review[58] points out that character background or explanation is lacking in many cases.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Joey. Groner. Baton Rouge film industry sees steady growth. May 7, 2012. The Daily Isureville. May 7, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120510030326/http://www.lsureveille.com/entertainment/baton-rouge-film-industry-sees-steady-growth-1.2738919#.T6f6qbWUNio. May 10, 2012. mdy-all.
  2. Web site: Seidman. Robert. A&E's Drama Series 'Breakout Kings' Returns for Its Second Season Sunday, March 4. TV by the Numbers. February 6, 2012. February 6, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120915075157/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/02/06/aes-drama-series-breakout-kings-returns-for-its-second-season-sunday-march-4/118723/. September 15, 2012. mdy-all.
  3. Web site: A&E's 'Breakout Kings' Premiere Changed To March 6. https://web.archive.org/web/20110120154708/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/01/18/aes-breakout-kings-premiere-changed-to-march-6/79112. dead. January 20, 2011. January 18, 2011. Gorman. Bill. TV by the Numbers. January 19, 2011.
  4. Web site: Seidman. Robert. 'Breakout Kings' Scores Record Audiences for A&E. https://web.archive.org/web/20110310154929/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/03/07/breakout-kings-premieres-to-2-8-million-scores-1-1-rating-with-adults-18-49/84878 . dead . March 10, 2011 . TV by the Numbers . April 26, 2012.
  5. Web site: Amanda. Kondolojy. A&E's Hit Original Drama Series 'Breakout Kings' Airs Two-Hour Season Finale Sunday, April 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. https://web.archive.org/web/20120420004403/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/04/17/aes-hit-original-drama-series-breakout-kings-airs-two-hour-season-finale-sunday-april-29-at-9pm-etpt/129591/ . dead . April 20, 2012 . TV by the Numbers. April 18, 2012.
  6. Web site: A&E's Hit Original Drama Series 'Breakout Kings' Airs Two-Hour Season Finale Sunday, April 29 at 9 pm ET/PT . The Futon Critic . April 18, 2012.
  7. News: Andreeva . Nellie . A&E's 'Breakout Kings' Cancelled After Two Seasons . May 17, 2012. Deadline Hollywood . May 17, 2012.
  8. Web site: TV Guide . Breakout Kings: Season 1, Episode 6: Like Father, Like Son . February 20, 2012 . August 12, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812213338/http://video.tvguide.com/Breakout+Kings/Like+Father+Like+Son/9270995?autoplay=true . dead .
  9. Web site: Development Update: Friday, August 21. August 21, 2009. The Futon Critic. November 11, 2010.
  10. Web site: Fox greenlights 'Breakout Kings'. January 22, 2010. Andreeva. Nellie. The Hollywood Reporter. November 11, 2010.
  11. Web site: PRIMETIME PILOT PANIC: Fox Picks Up 5 New Series & Renews 'Lie To Me', 'Target'; Passes On 'Breakout Kings', 'Breaking In', 'Tax Men', 'Strange Brew', 'Most Likely To Succeed' & 'The Station'. May 12, 2010. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline. May 27, 2010.
  12. Web site: PRIMETIME PILOT PANIC: 'Breakout Kings' Looks For New Home After Fox Passes. May 15, 2010. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline. May 27, 2010.
  13. Web site: It's official: Fox's 'Breakout Kings' moving to A&E. June 28, 2010. Ausiello. Michael. The Hollywood Reporter. November 9, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120523181020/http://insidetv.ew.com/2010/06/28/fox-breakout-kings-moving-to-ae/. May 23, 2012. mdy-all.
  14. Web site: A&E Greenlights New Original Drama Series "Breakout Kings" from FOX 21 and Chernin Entertainment. June 29, 2010. The Futon Critic. November 10, 2010.
  15. Web site: Exclusive: 'Prison Break' baddie confirms he's doing 'Breakout Kings' for A&E in early 2011. November 5, 2010. Rice. Lynette. The Hollywood Reporter. November 9, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101108045530/http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/11/05/exclusive-prison-break-baddie-confirms-hes-doing-breakout-kings-for-ae-in-early-2011/. November 8, 2010. mdy-all.
  16. Web site: Development Update: Monday, October 11. October 11, 2010. The Futon Critic. November 9, 2010.
  17. Web site: Breakout Kings: The Complete First Season. Amazon . March 2012 . March 19, 2012.
  18. Web site: Breakout Kings: Season 1. CDON.com. June 6, 2012.
  19. Web site: Breakout Kings: Season 1. EZYDVD.com.au. April 24, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120326074336/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/breakout-kings-season-1/dp/6108855. March 26, 2012. dead. mdy-all.
  20. News: Andy . Lewis . April 28, 2012 . 'Breakout Kings' Creator Nick Santora Touts New Novel, Teases Season Finale (Q&A) . The Hollywood Reporter . April 30, 2012.
  21. Web site: Seidman . Robert . March 8, 2011 . Sunday Cable Ratings: Tosh Leads Night + More 'Breakout Kings;' 'Shameless' Up & MUCH More . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110310152008/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/03/08/sunday-cable-ratings-tosh-leads-night-more-breakout-kings-shameless-up-much-more/85034 . March 10, 2011 . March 17, 2011 . TV by the Numbers.
  22. Web site: Gorman . Bill . June 1, 2011 . Monday Cable Ratings: 'Pawn Stars' Tops Night; Plus 'WWE Raw,' 'Khloe & Lamar,' 'Real Housewives of NJ', 'American Chopper,' 'Breakout Kings' & More . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110604165901/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/06/01/monday-cable-ratings-pawn-stars-tops-night-plus-wwe-raw-khloe-lamar-real-housewives-of-nj-american-chopper-secret-life-more/94364/ . June 4, 2011 . June 1, 2011 . TV by the Numbers.
  23. Web site: Development Update: Wednesday, July 6 . April 26, 2012 . The Futon Critic.
  24. Web site: Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead,' 'Storage Wars,' 'Army Wives,' 'Real Housewives' & More . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305134032/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/03/06/sunday-cable-ratings-the-walking-dead-storage-wars-army-wives-real-housewives-more/ . March 5, 2016 . March 13, 2012 . TV by the Numbers.
  25. Web site: Sara . Bibel . Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Rises, Ties NBA Playoffs + 'Real Housewives,' 'The Client List,' 'Army Wives,' 'Mad Men' & More . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120503204826/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/05/01/sunday-cable-ratings-game-of-thrones-rises-ties-nba-playoffs-real-housewives-the-client-list-army-wives-mad-men-more/131531/ . May 3, 2012 . May 1, 2012 . Tv by the Numbers.
  26. Web site: David . Knox . Airdate: Breakout Kings . April 9, 2012 . TV Tonight.
  27. Web site: Breakout Kings on A&E Brasil . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120324094424/http://www.chch.com/index.php/newshows/shows-breakout-kings . March 24, 2012 . April 24, 2012 . CHCH.com . mdy-all.
  28. Web site: A New Series from the Producers of Prison Break . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120324094424/http://www.chch.com/index.php/newshows/shows-breakout-kings . March 24, 2012 . April 24, 2012 . CHCH.com . mdy-all.
  29. Web site: February 28, 2011 . Pako-sarjan tekijöiden uutuusdraama Vankikarkurit alkaa Subilla torstaina 29.3. . Exhaust-new drama series of factors fugitives Sub begins on Thursday, 29.3. . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812205002/http://stat.emtv.fi/4/0/3972/7/35799923/cf164aa2/html/ . August 12, 2014 . May 17, 2012 . Sub . fi . mdy-all . Translation via Google Translate.
  30. Web site: Breakout Kings . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150111095321/http://rtl-crime.rtl.de/cms/crime/sendungen/action/breakout-kings.html . January 11, 2015 . November 23, 2012 . rtl-crime.rtl.de.com . mdy-all.
  31. Web site: Breakout Kings . April 13, 2013 . programme-tv.net.
  32. Web site: Breakout Kings on Star World India . April 9, 2012 . Star World India.
  33. Web site: Breakout King . April 30, 2012 . tv.foxjapan.com/fox.
  34. Web site: Breakout Kings (Series / Drama) . April 9, 2012 . entutele.com.
  35. Web site: Crime for everyone . April 24, 2012 . rtlgroup.com.
  36. Web site: Breakout Kings . April 9, 2012 . Tv2.no.
  37. Web site: Chase . . May 4, 2012.
  38. Web site: February 21, 2012 . Breakout Kings . TV3 Lithuania.
  39. Web site: Breakout Kings . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120203160423/http://www.foxtv.pl/breakoutkings . February 3, 2012 . April 30, 2012 . foxtv.pl . mdy-all.
  40. Web site: Kings Trail . April 30, 2012 . fox.canais-fox.pt.
  41. Web site: Company credits for 'Breakout Kings' (2011) . April 24, 2012 . IMDb.
  42. Web site: Ex Convicts Wednesday at 21:25 pm . April 28, 2012 . foxcrime.es.
  43. Web site: New Dramas for Universal Channel . April 9, 2012 . Sky.
  44. Web site: Breakout Kings Every Wednesday at 21:30 . tv3.co.nz.
  45. Web site: Poletje na POP TV . popnonstop.24ur.com.
  46. Web site: Breakout Kings – Fox Announces 'The Complete 1st Season' on DVD . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120221202757/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Breakout-Kings-Season-1/16395 . February 21, 2012 . March 19, 2012 . TVShowsonDVD . mdy-all.
  47. Web site: BREAKOUT KINGS: SEASON 1 . Rotten Tomatoes.
  48. News: David . Hinckley . March 25, 2012 . The top 10 things on TV for the week of March 25, 2012 . Daily News. New York . April 26, 2012.
  49. News: Jonathan . Storm . March 3, 2011 . Jonathan Storm: 2 cable premieres. Sunday brings more Tosh, A&E drama . Philadelphia Inquirer . April 28, 2012.
  50. News: Mary . McNamara . March 4, 2011 . Television review: 'Breakout Kings' . Los Angeles Times . April 26, 2012.
  51. News: Maureen . Ryan . March 3, 2011 . Review: 'Breakout Kings' Follows 'Prison Break' Formula With Some Success . HuffPost . dead . June 22, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121028111315/http://www.aoltv.com/2011/03/03/review-breakout-kings-follows-prison-break-formulas/ . October 28, 2012.
  52. News: Rob . Owen . March 6, 2011 . Tuned In: New mediocre crime drama 'Breakout Kings' bursts into prime time . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . April 28, 2012.
  53. News: Tim . Goodman . April 3, 2011 . Taking on Tyson/Breakout Kings: TV Reviews . The Hollywood Reporter . April 26, 2012.
  54. News: Hank . Stuever . March 4, 2011 . TV review: A&E's 'Breakout Kings,' where prisoners outsmart the escapees . The Washington Post . April 26, 2012.
  55. News: Brian . Lowry . March 2, 2011 . Breakout Kings . Variety . April 26, 2012.
  56. Web site: June 6, 2010 . The Futon's First Look: 'Breakout Kings' (FOX) . June 1, 2011 . The Futon Critic.
  57. Web site: February 22, 2011 . Breakout Kings – Advance Screening . February 22, 2011 . SpoilerTV.
  58. Web site: February 22, 2011 . Breakout Kings Series Review . February 23, 2011 . FlickDirect.