The female roles in action thrillers are often thankless, but Prison Break attracted serious talent.

As the family lawyer trying to prove Lincoln’s innocence from the outside, Robin Tunney had the difficult task of carrying the "legal conspiracy" B-plot. While her character was unceremoniously killed off to raise the stakes (a shocking decapitation in Season 2), Tunney’s earnest performance in Season 1 kept the outside world connected to the prison walls.

The show's supporting cast also brought unique backgrounds that enriched their performances:

Purcell provided the brawn and raw emotion to Miller’s brains. The real-life chemistry between the two was so strong that they reunited years later on The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow . The Villain We Loved to Hate: Robert Knepper