Bryan Cranston recalls filming emotional Breaking Bad scene
The cult crime and drug drama Breaking Bad concluded with a bang 11 years ago this month, marking the end of one of television's most iconic shows. The series starred Bryan Cranston as the unassuming teacher Walter White who turns to cooking crystal meth to fund his cancer treatment and provide for his wife Skyler White, portrayed by Anna Gunn, and son Walter White Jr, played by RJ Mitte.
Walter teams up with street-savvy small-time criminal Jesse Pinkman, and together they produce some of America's purest meth, quickly drawing the attention of both the drug cartel and DEA agent Hank Schrader, brought to life by Dean Norris.
Since its premiere in 2008, the series gradually gained traction and viewership, becoming a massive streaming sensation towards the end of its run in 2013. The show received critical acclaim, with Cranston bagging the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series four times, Aaron Paul securing the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series three times, and Anna Gunn clinching the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series twice.
The series' success and the interest in its expansive universe led to the Netflix film El Camino starring Aaron Paul in October 2019, as well as the spin-off Better Call Saul. The spin-off starred Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman/Jimmy McGill, saw Jonathan Banks reprising his role as Mike Ehrmantraut, and explored Giancarlo Esposito's backstory as high-level drug distributor Gus Fring.
Breaking Bad catapulted its cast into stardom, but where are the original members now?
Bryan Cranston - Walter White
Previously recognised for his comedic roles, Bryan Cranston thrilled audiences with his transformation into anti-hero Walter White. Viewers witnessed Walter's descent into criminal behaviour as he murdered drug dealers, criminals, and henchmen, and was implicated in numerous deaths while building a wealthy drug empire under the alias Heisenberg.
Post Breaking Bad, Cranston has been nominated for an Oscar for Trumbo, featured in Wes Anderson films Isle of Dogs and Asteroid City, and starred in Your Honor, Sneaky Pete, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Bryan Cranston reprised his role as Walter White in two episodes of the final season of Better Call Saul.
Anna Gunn - Skyler White
Skyler White, initially suspicious of her husband's frequent absences and odd behaviour, was shocked to discover his secret life as a drug manufacturer. Despite this, she eventually reconciled with Walter and became complicit in his criminal activities, assisting in money laundering through their car wash business.
Since then, Anna Gunn has featured in TV series such as Gracepoint, Sugar, Shades of Blue, and the 2016 biopic Sully. She has also made guest appearances on Criminal Minds, Portlandia, and Robot Chicken.
Aaron Paul - Jesse Pinkman
Aaron Paul portrayed Jesse Pinkman, Walter White's former student who unexpectedly crossed paths with him during a drug bust. This chance meeting ignited a drug empire, resulting in millions of dollars and bloodshed over six seasons.
In the series finale, Jesse Pinkman escaped from a Neo-Nazi gang and evaded police capture in the El Camino movie. Aaron Paul reprised his role as Jesse Pinkman in cameo appearances in Better Call Saul.
Breaking Bad catapulted Aaron Paul's career, and he has been on an upward trajectory ever since. He has starred in Netflix's BoJack Horseman, Hulu's The Path, the mini-series Are You Sleeping, HBO's Westworld, Welcome Home, and the mystery The Burning Woman.
He has also appeared in films such as Eye in the Sky, Adam, and Need for Speed.
Dean Norris - Hank Schrader
Dean Norris played Hank Schrader, the DEA agent who spent six seasons investigating Heisenberg before making the shocking discovery that his brother-in-law, Walter White, was the criminal mastermind.
Dean Norris, post-Breaking Bad, has an impressive array of credits to his name. He's had a recurring role in The Big Bang Theory, took the lead in Stephen King's drama Under the Dome and Netflix's short-lived original series Girlboss.
Currently, he can be spotted in the comedy Claws and United States of Al.
Betsy Brandt - Marie Schrader
Betsy Brandt, who portrayed Walter White's kleptomaniac sister-in-law Marie Schrader, was often a pillar of support for Hank and Skyler. She was left shell-shocked by Hank's sudden disappearance and subsequent death towards the end of the series.
Betsy made a comeback for the Better Call Saul finale to help deal with the fallout of Breaking Bad. She has starred in the US comedy Life in Pieces alongside Colin Hanks and Zoe Lister Jones and in dramas Masters of Sex and Parenthood.
RJ Mitte - Walt White Jr.
RJ Mitte, known for his role as Walt White Jr., was oblivious to his father's criminal activities, although his father's behaviour occasionally led him to prefer being called Flynn.
Post-Breaking Bad, RJ Mitte has enjoyed a diverse career, including acting roles such as in the comedy Switched at Birth. He has modelled for Vivienne Westwood, worked as a producer, appeared on Bear Grylls' Celebrity Island, and was part of the team covering the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games for Channel 4.
Bob Odenkirk - Saul Goodman
Comedian Bob Odenkirk portrayed the shifty criminal lawyer Saul Goodman, who assisted in laundering Walt and Jesse's money and shielded them from the DEA's clutches. After fleeing Albuquerque, Saul Goodman adopted the alias of Gene Takavic, managing a Cinnabon in Omaha, Nebraska.
Odenkirk reprised his role as the lawyer in the Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul, where audiences witnessed Jimmy McGill's descent into corruption and the circumstances that led him to become Saul Goodman. The actor has also graced the screen in The Incredibles 2, The Post, The Disaster Artist, and the TV adaptation of Fargo.
Giancarlo Esposito - Gus Fring
During the day, Gus Fring was the humble and committed owner of the fast food chain Los Pollos Hermanos. However, under the cover of darkness, he transformed into a high-ranking drug distributor, collaborating with Walt and Jesse and establishing the superlab to kickstart his own drug empire.
Esposito also returned to his Breaking Bad role in Better Call Saul, which delved into his background and the creation of the iconic superlab. The actor has had a robust career, featuring in The Mandalorian, The Gentlemen and The Boys.
He also starred in the Netflix series The Get Down, and made appearances in Westworld, Maze Runner: The Death Cure, Okja, The Jungle Book and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. His next role will see him portray King Seth Voelker of the Serpent Society in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film Captain America: Brave New World.
Jonathan Banks - Mike Ehrmantraut
Mike Ehrmantraut, initially introduced as a fixer involved in the aftermath of Jane Margolis's death, soon became a pivotal figure in Gus Fring's drug empire. He later lent his expertise to Walt and Jesse's drug operation before meeting his end at Walt's hands.
Jonathan Banks, another familiar face from both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, has an impressive acting portfolio. He starred in the comedy series Community and a host of films including Identity Thief, Horrible Bosses 2, The Commuter, and the Netflix original Mudbound.
Todd - Jesse Plemons
Todd, portrayed by Jesse Plemons, entered the Breaking Bad universe as a Vamonos Pest Control employee who later becomes an associate of Walt and Jesse. His actions following the notorious train heist lead to the dissolution of Walt and Jesse's criminal partnership, but Todd aids in expanding Walt's drug empire into Europe through his Neo-Nazi connections.
Post-Breaking Bad, Jesse Plemons featured in Olive Kitteridge and Fargo, as well as the USS Callister episode of Black Mirror. He shared the screen with Bob Odenkirk in The Post, appeared in Martin Scorsese's drama The Irishman, Killers of the Flower Moon and The Power of the Dog.
In 2022, Jesse tied the knot with actress Kirsten Dunst, and they have two sons together.
Laura Fraser - Lydia Rodarte-Quayle
Scottish actress Laura Fraser made a brief return to her Breaking Bad role in Better Call Saul, and has also starred in TV mysteries The Missing and The Loch. Interestingly, she was initially cast in the pilot for Homeland, but was eventually replaced by Deadpool star Morena Baccarin.
