Breaking Bad is a critically acclaimed television series created by Vince Gilligan that aired on AMC from 2008 to 2013. The show follows the story of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who turns to cooking and selling methamphetamine in order to secure his family’s financial future after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The show features an all-star cast, including Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, R. J. Mitte, and Bob Odenkirk, and has won numerous awards, including 16 Primetime Emmy Awards. With its complex characters, nonlinear storytelling, and themes of ego, greed, and family, “Breaking Bad” has become a cultural phenomenon and spawned a prequel series, “Better Call Saul.” Explore the world of “Breaking Bad” and discover why this show has captivated audiences around the globe.
Here are the 35 fascinating facts about the iconic TV series “Breaking Bad” that you don’t know.
Breaking Bad Series Fascinating Facts
- “Breaking Bad” is a television series created by Vince Gilligan that aired on AMC from 2008 to 2013.
- The show follows the story of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with terminal cancer and turns to cooking and selling methamphetamine in order to secure his family’s financial future.
- “Breaking Bad” was critically acclaimed and became a cultural phenomenon, winning numerous awards, including 16 Primetime Emmy Awards.
- The show’s cast includes Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, R. J. Mitte, and Bob Odenkirk.
- “Breaking Bad” was filmed on location in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and many of the show’s exterior shots feature iconic landmarks in the city, such as the White Sands Missile Range and the KiMo Theater.
- The show’s title refers to the phrase “breaking bad,” which means to turn to a life of crime or to engage in risky or dangerous behavior.
- “Breaking Bad” is known for its complex characters and its use of nonlinear storytelling, with events often taking place out of chronological order.
- The show’s themes include the dangers of unchecked ego, the consequences of greed, and the importance of family.
- “Breaking Bad” spawned a prequel series, “Better Call Saul,” which follows the story of criminal lawyer Jimmy McGill (played by Bob Odenkirk) before he becomes Saul Goodman.
- “Breaking Bad” has a devoted fan base and has inspired numerous spin-off products, including a cookbook and a mobile game.
- The show’s central character, Walter White, is considered one of the greatest television characters of all time by many critics and fans.
- Bryan Cranston won four Primetime Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Walter White, making him the first actor to win the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series four times.
- “Breaking Bad” has a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on over 200 reviews.
- The show’s final episode, “Felina,” aired on September 29, 2013, and was watched by over 10 million viewers.
- “Breaking Bad” has been credited with revitalizing the city of Albuquerque and bringing tourism to the area.
- “Breaking Bad” has inspired numerous parodies and references in popular culture, including in TV shows, movies, and video games.
- The show’s creator, Vince Gilligan, has said that he was inspired to create “Breaking Bad” after seeing a news report about a high school chemistry teacher who was arrested for cooking methamphetamine.
- The show’s iconic logo, which features the periodic table symbol for bromine (Br), was designed by graphic designer John Lloyd.
- “Breaking Bad” has been praised for its cinematography, costume design, and music, and has been recognized with numerous awards in these categories.
- Despite its popularity, “Breaking Bad” was not always an easy sell to networks, and Gilligan had to pitch the show to numerous networks before it was finally picked up by AMC.
- “Breaking Bad” was originally intended to be a film, but when Gilligan was unable to find funding, he rewrote it as a television series.
- The show’s iconic opening credits sequence features time-lapse footage of the city of Albuquerque, set to the song “Black” by Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi.
- “Breaking Bad” was shot on 35mm film, which gives it a distinct visual look compared to many other contemporary television shows that are shot digitally.
- The show’s creator, Vince Gilligan, served as the showrunner and oversaw all aspects of production, including writing, casting, and directing.
- In addition to its main cast, “Breaking Bad” features a number of recurring and guest stars, including Giancarlo Esposito, Jonathan Banks, Laura Fraser, and Mark Margolis.
- “Breaking Bad” was one of the first television shows to be released on Blu-ray, and the complete series box set includes a number of special features, including deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes documentaries.
- The show’s creator, Vince Gilligan, has said that he originally intended for the show to last for five seasons, but AMC asked for a sixth season, which Gilligan agreed to do in order to give the show a proper ending.
- “Breaking Bad” has been widely praised for its realistic depiction of the drug trade and the chemistry behind methamphetamine production.
- The show’s creator, Vince Gilligan, has said that he intentionally included science and chemistry elements in the show as a way to make it more educational and to help engage viewers.
- “Breaking Bad” has been credited with helping to popularize the use of the TV drama format in the United States, and many other popular TV shows, such as “Game of Thrones” and “The Sopranos,” has used similar storytelling techniques.
- The show’s creator, Vince Gilligan, has said that he was inspired by the films of the Coen brothers and that he wanted “Breaking Bad” to be a “moral tale” in the same vein as their films.
- “Breaking Bad” has been sold to numerous international markets and has been dubbed or subtitled in numerous languages, including Spanish, French, and German.
- “Breaking Bad” has been credited with helping to launch the careers of many of its cast members, including Aaron Paul, who won two Primetime Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Jesse Pinkman, and Bob Odenkirk, who has gone on to star in his own spin-off series, “Better Call Saul.”
- “Breaking Bad” has been the subject of numerous parodies and references in popular culture, including in TV shows, movies, and video games.
- The show’s creator, Vince Gilligan, has said that he originally intended for the show to end with the death of Walter White, but ultimately decided to give the character a more ambiguous ending.
The cast of the Breaking Bad Series
The main cast of “Breaking Bad” includes:
- Bryan Cranston as Walter White: A high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with terminal cancer and turns to cooking and selling methamphetamine in order to secure his family’s financial future.
- Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman: Walter’s former student and business partner in the methamphetamine trade.
- Anna Gunn as Skyler White: Walter’s wife, who becomes increasingly involved in his illegal activities.
- Dean Norris as Hank Schrader: Walter’s DEA agent brother-in-law.
- Betsy Brandt as Marie Schrader: Hank’s wife and Skyler’s sister.
- R. J. Mitte as Walter White Jr.: Walter and Skyler’s son.
- Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman: Walter and Jesse’s criminal lawyer.
In addition to the main cast, the show also features a number of recurring and guest stars, including Giancarlo Esposito, Jonathan Banks, Laura Fraser, and Mark Margolis.
FAQs About Breaking Bad
Why Breaking Bad is so famous?
“Breaking Bad” became famous for a number of reasons. Some of the factors that contributed to its success include:
High-quality production: The show was shot on 35mm film and had high-quality cinematography, costume design, and music, which helped to make it stand out from other TV shows.
Engaging storytelling: “Breaking Bad” used nonlinear storytelling techniques, with events often taking place out of chronological order, which kept viewers guessing and made the show more engaging. The show also had complex, well-developed characters and tackled themes such as the dangers of unchecked ego, the consequences of greed, and the importance of family, which resonated with viewers.
Award-winning performances: The show’s cast, particularly Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, gave standout performances that helped to elevate the material. Cranston won four Primetime Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Walter White, and Paul won two Primetime Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Jesse Pinkman.
Cultural impact: “Breaking Bad” became a cultural phenomenon, with numerous spin-off products and parodies, and was widely discussed and analyzed by critics and fans. The show’s iconic logo and memorable quotes, such as “I am the one who knocks,” became widely recognized and contributed to its cultural significance.
Timing: “Breaking Bad” aired at a time when the TV landscape was changing, with the rise of streaming services and more options for viewers. The show’s success helped to pave the way for other critically acclaimed TV dramas, such as “Game of Thrones” and “The Sopranos,” that would follow.
How disturbing is Breaking Bad?
“Breaking Bad” is a television show that deals with mature themes and contain scenes of violence and drug use, so it may not be suitable for all audiences. Some viewers may find certain elements of the show disturbing, particularly if they are sensitive to themes of crime, drug use, or violence.
That being said, “Breaking Bad” is generally considered a well-written and well-acted show that deals with these themes in a nuanced and thought-provoking way. It is not intended to glorify or promote illegal activity, but rather to explore the consequences of such actions and the motivations of the characters involved. If you are interested in watching “Breaking Bad,” it is important to consider your own tolerance for mature themes and to approach the show with an open mind.
Is Breaking Bad worth watching?
“Breaking Bad” is a critically acclaimed television series that has won numerous awards and has a strong reputation among both critics and fans. Many people consider it to be one of the greatest TV shows of all time. If you are a fan of drama, complex characters, and engaging storytelling, you may find “Breaking Bad” to be worth watching.
That being said, “Breaking Bad” is not a show for everyone. It deals with mature themes, including crime, drug use, and violence, and may not be suitable for all audiences. If you are sensitive to these themes or are not a fan of TV dramas in general, you may not enjoy “Breaking Bad.” It is important to consider your own preferences and interests before deciding whether or not to watch the show.
Is Breaking Bad still the best show ever?
“Breaking Bad” is widely considered to be a highly influential and critically acclaimed television series, and many people consider it to be one of the greatest TV shows of all time. The show has won numerous awards, including 16 Primetime Emmy Awards, and has a devoted fan base.
However, the question of whether “Breaking Bad” is the “best” show ever is subjective and depends on individual preferences and criteria. Different people have different tastes in TV shows, and what one person considers to be the best show ever might not be the same as what someone else thinks. There have been many other great TV shows that have aired over the years, and it is difficult to definitively say that one show is the best ever. Ultimately, whether or not “Breaking Bad” is the best show ever is a matter of personal opinion.
Which season of Breaking Bad is best?
It is difficult to determine which season of “Breaking Bad” is the best, as this is a matter of personal opinion and will vary from person to person. Different people have different preferences and may enjoy different aspects of the show.
Many critics and fans consider the later seasons of “Breaking Bad” to be the strongest. In particular, the fourth and fifth seasons, which aired in 2011 and 2013, are widely considered to be among the best seasons of the show. These seasons build on the story and characters established in earlier seasons and feature some of the show’s most iconic and memorable moments.
Ultimately, whether or not you consider a particular season of “Breaking Bad” to be the best will depend on your own preferences and enjoyment of the show. If you are a fan of “Breaking Bad,” you may want to watch all of the seasons in order to get the full experience.
Can a 15-year-old watch Breaking Bad?
“Breaking Bad” is a television show that deals with mature themes, including crime, drug use, and violence, and may not be suitable for all audiences. If you are a parent considering whether or not your 15-year-old should watch “Breaking Bad,” it is important to consider your child’s maturity level and whether or not they are ready to handle the show’s themes.
The show’s creator, Vince Gilligan, has said that “Breaking Bad” is not intended to glorify or promote illegal activity, but rather to explore the consequences of such actions and the motivations of the characters involved. However, the show does contain scenes that some viewers may find disturbing or inappropriate for children.
Who is the most famous Breaking Bad actor?
Bryan Cranston is perhaps the most famous actor from “Breaking Bad,” due in large part to his portrayal of the show’s central character, Walter White. Cranston’s performance as White earned him widespread acclaim and four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, making him the first actor to win the award four times.
Cranston is an accomplished actor with a long career in film, television, and theater, and his role in “Breaking Bad” has helped to cement his status as one of the most respected and sought-after actors in the industry.
Other cast members of “Breaking Bad” who have gained fame and recognition include Aaron Paul, who won two Primetime Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Jesse Pinkman, and Bob Odenkirk, who has gone on to star in his own spin-off series, “Better Call Saul.” Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, and R. J. Mitte have also gained popularity for their performances in “Breaking Bad” and have gone on to appear in other film and television projects.