By 
Although Prison Break ended with a rather convoluted conspiracy-filled fourth season, that hasn't stopped us from getting ridiculously excited to see Michael and his crew back later this year.
Every one of our favourite characters from the Fox thriller will be back - even Michael, who was very much dead at the end. Lincoln, Sucre, Sara, T-Bag, Kellerman and C-Note are all confirmed, but there's one kick-ass ex-cop yet to sign on: Alexander Mahone.
William Fichtner's double-hard bastard became a breakout character from season two onwards. Although he was the big baddie at the start, he was the one many of us tuned in to see. "We don't care what Lincoln is doing in his oversized suit - what's Mahone up to?"
Fichtner was originally only contracted for seasons two and three, but was eventually convinced by producer Matt Olmstead to come back for the fourth. Can he be swayed again?
At first, Mahone was like Javert to Michael Schofield's Valjean in his pursuit of the fugitives. Over time, we saw him hit rock bottom when he found himself in a grim Panama jail after getting framed for possessing drugs, and his son was killed. This allowed us to start sympathising with this previously cruel cop. It also helped that he was the hardest and coolest of the lot. Remember that fight in Sona?
Prison Break season 5: Cast, characters, plot and everything else you need to know about the reboot
What to Read Next
Admittedly, by the end, Mahone's presence felt a bit forced. Like he was only there to please the few remaining fans. However, he had at least totally sided with the Schofield brothers and even turned down the chance to return to the FBI if he sold out his crew.
This means that there is scope for Mahone to return. If all the others are coming back, why not him? They could even do a 'Brian O'Conner in Fast & Furious' by making him an FBI agent again just to make it interesting. Considering they are resurrecting a dead Michael - and former killer Kellerman is running for President - surely anything's possible.
The main stumbling block is probably Fichtner himself. When he was asked back for the fourth season, he requested that his character's journey from cop to fugitive was explored further by making it more difficult for Mahone. "All of a sudden the blinders went up... and little by little, he's trying to make his way back," he said in 2008.
If the plot doesn't quite fit Mahone in a credible way, maybe Fichtner won't be too interested. Plus, he's also due to appear in the next Independence Day and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies - though they've already wrapped, so surely he can give Fox his summer. Come on, Bill!
Season one of Prison Break may rightly be considered the show's pinnacle, but Mahone was one of the most interesting things about its following three years, and was arguably the overall key element from the moment the crew escaped from Fox River.
If Michael is well and truly back, he needs Mahone by his side. He may have the muscle of Lincoln, loyalty of Sucre and love of Sara, but Mahone is his only intellectual equal…
