WHERE IS WENTWORTH MILLER?
Advocate For Mental Health + Wants To Play Gay
It feels like forever since we’ve seen Wentworth Miller on our screens — unless you’re rewatching Prison Break. Though he still makes appearances on Law & Order: SVU, the actor who played Michael Scofield for five seasons has been noticeably absent from mainstream media since Prison Break ended in 2010 (then returned in 2017). So it begs the question: Where is Wentworth Miller?
Well, in terms of working, the 48-year-old Brit has a crossover role in The CW’s wildly popular DC shows, including Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, and Batwoman. He also portrayed Senator Mark Hanson on Madam Secretary. But, as an actor on one of the most popular TV shows of all time, you would think he would have more projects.
Miller’s hiatus is intentional. In 2010, Miller went into semi-retirement after struggling with his mental health. When a meme surfaced on Facebook in 2016 body-shamed Miller, who had gained weight, penned a post about how he turned to food to make himself feel better. At his lowest of lows, people made fun of him.
That was a turning point for Miller in terms of social activism. After that, he worked as a mental health advocate and ambassador for multiple organizations. Before he reprised his role on Prison Break, he said that experience shaped his life and career.
“It informs my everyday experience and informs me as a performer for sure,” Miller told Popsugar. “I’ve walked a long road, and I’ve seen and experienced a lot of things. One of the gifts of being where I am now, where I can talk openly about being queer, about having mental health issues . . . it means that I can walk on set and instead of playing multiple parts, like ‘the guy who has it all together’ while I’m playing Michael Scofield, I can just focus on Michael Scofield, and it’s made me stronger as an artist.”
Then, last year, Miller said he would not return to Prison Break because he was “done playing straight roles.” Miller came out in 2013. In an Instagram post, he said he was tired of playing straight characters and was actively seeking out projects with gay characters.
Wentworth Miller’s bravery is commendable. It takes a lot to stand up for what you believe in and take firm stands. Miller is very much in control, and we’re waiting for something new to come his way.
