Bill English apparently loves Prison Break and Twilight: Eclipse

Bill English loves Prison Break and Twilight movies

One of the most interesting statements made at the Newshub Leaders Debate was National Party leader Bill English confessing to liking "all seasons" of cult TV show Prison Break.

It wasn't caught on camera, but I heard him say it during one of the ad breaks when he chatted casually with a few audience members. He even said he's watched the show multiple times.

Requests for confirmation of his love of Prison Break - and if that included the much-maligned season five - were met with a polite rejection by Mr English's team, citing his busy schedule.

But nonetheless, it's a fascinating insight - and his opponent Jacinda Ardern did opt to comment.

Prison Break first premiered in 2005 and centres on two attractive brothers - Dominic Purcell as Lincoln Burrows and Wentworth Miller as Michael Scofield - overcoming adversity to escape jail. It suffered diminishing returns with each season both in terms of ratings and reviews, with 2017's comeback fifth season hitting new lows.

New Zealand filmmaker and journalist David Farrier, a recovering Prison Break fan himself, says he feels both "excitement and dread" over Mr English's comment.

"The first season of Prison Break was fantastic television, as Michael Scofield tried to free his brother from prison... by going to prison," says Mr Farrier.

"The politics of prison life no doubt resonated with Bill, as did the charisma of its star, Wentworth Miller - a gay icon. It's forward-thinking of Bill and I'm excited he enjoyed watching it.

"I am however a bit bothered by the revelation he also enjoyed the fifth season of the show. It was filled with so many plot holes - even beyond the scale seen in prior seasons - liking it suggests a strong lack of judgement."

The Labour Party leader says she isn't a fan of Prison Break, but confesses to being obsessed with another crime drama that... well, isn't The Sopranos, Breaking Bad or The Wire.

"I have long had an embarrassing love of SVU. I have no idea why, but I've always loved trashy crime shows," says Ms Ardern.

"When I lived in New York I remember running past one of the stars, and was so surprised I almost ran into a pole."

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Photo credit: NBC

At the Leaders' Debate, Mr English also said he was "thinking about" starting Game of Thrones - seven years into what is arguably the greatest show on TV.

Ms Ardern is ahead of him there, although she admits quitting the hit series.

"I did try and watch Game of Thrones but only got about four episodes past the Red Wedding. The trauma was real."

While Mr English has not confirmed his passion for Prison Break, he has previously stated that his "favourite pop culture guilty pleasure" is Suits.

More insight into his home entertainment was given in his celebratory America's Cup video, which included a DVD collection under the television.

Bill English's DVD collection
Bill English's DVD collection Photo credit: Facebook.com

Along with TV shows House of Cards and The Newsroom, two Twilight sequels can be seen - New Moon and Eclipse.

There are also copies of New Zealand films Boy, Mahana and The Dark Horse; as well as a fitness DVD, Interstellar, The Simpsons Movie, Stardust and Coach Carter.

It's unclear which DVDs are Mr English's and which are those of other family members. But it's really nice to think of him getting home on Friday after a hard week's Parliament and kicking back with his umpteenth viewing of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse or the fifth season of Prison Break.

Newshub.