[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 Break's first season as Nick Savrinn, appears in the episode "Queen of Hearts" as a different character named Agent Stoltz.

[2] 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.

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.

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.

"[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.

"[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.

"[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.

"[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.