Sarah Wayne Callies Exposes ‘Rampant Misogyny’ on ‘Prison Break’ Set, Reveals Colleague Spat on Her
2 min readABC via Getty Images | Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson & Olivia Allen/YouTube
Sarah Wayne Callies reveals “rampant misogyny” during “Prison Break” filming, recounting an incident where a male colleague allegedly spat on her.
Sarah Wayne Callies is shedding light on the “rampant misogyny” she experienced while filming the hit TV series “Prison Break.” In a candid conversation on the “Broad Ideas” podcast, Callies revealed a particularly distressing incident where a male co-star spat in her face during the production of the show.
Callies, who has been rewatching “Prison Break” recently, reflected on her time on the Fox series, which aired from 2005 to 2009. She discussed the complexities of being the only woman on set, stating, “I’ve had an actor on that show spit in my face. And I was like, ‘Holy s–t.’”
The 46-year-old actress promised fans that she would provide more details about the incident in an upcoming episode of her “Prison Breaking” podcast, co-hosted with former co-star Paul Adelstein. “We will talk about it someday, but … there were things. Like, I would go home some nights and have to spend an hour talking my husband out of going to hospitalize somebody,” she shared.
Callies, also known for her role on “The Walking Dead,” expressed that while some of her male co-stars were supportive and behaved like gentlemen, others contributed to a hostile work environment. Although she didn’t name the individual responsible for spitting on her, the main cast included Dominic Purcell and Wentworth Miller, both of whom gained significant fame from the show.
Initially hesitant to rewatch “Prison Break” due to fears it would trigger negative memories, Sarah Wayne Callies decided to face her past. “What did I let them do to me? What did I let them say to me? What did I put up with? What did I not report?” she pondered. Despite these challenges, Callies acknowledged that she forged lifelong friendships with some of her colleagues.
One of the actress’s significant regrets was the lack of female presence on the show. “I didn’t have scenes with women,” she noted, calling it a “missed opportunity.” Sarah Wayne Callies portrayed Dr. Sara Tancredi and briefly reprised her role in the 2016 revival season.
Sarah Wayne Callies’s revelations highlight the broader issues of sexism and mistreatment in the entertainment industry, reminding audiences of the importance of respectful and equitable working conditions for all. Her story adds to the ongoing conversation about the need for systemic change in Hollywood.