Breaking Bad is often tagged as one of the best series in the history of television, but more than its captivating and intense plot, the characters were pretty much the core of the show. Bryan Cranston’s Walter White was the epic protagonist who made a slow but shocking 180-degree turn throughout the franchise’s five-season run.
This was a risky move for series creator Vince Gilligan because many viewers would lose their support and sympathy for the lead character. Despite the possibility, he and Cranston moved toward this direction.
Vince Gilligan on Turning Walter White From Hero to Villain
In an interview with The Daily Beast celebrating the conclusion of Breaking Bad, Vince Gilligan and Bryan Cranston talked about the elaborate decision to bring a shift into Walter White’s personality.
Fans would recall how he was introduced as a good man who would do everything for his family, thus his desperation drove him to do unlawful things. This formula caught the viewers’ sympathy and even though he was doing illegal business, they understood him.
However, as the story progressed, there had been a significant change in White’s motivations and goals. He grew increasingly ruthless and the next thing we know, he has established himself as a major drug kingpin. Gilligan admitted that he felt scared knowing the viewers might take this as a sign to stop sympathizing with the character, but he wasn’t changing him for the sake of it.
White’s transformation was brought about by the decisions he made along the way. “We’re actively involved in something that I like to think is somewhat unique: the transformation of a hero into a villain,” he said. There was no turning back so they took that road with courage, even though it might put at stake the success they have achieved in the beginning.
I want big ratings and positive reviews as much as anyone. But I’d feel bad if we softened Walt up in a desire to please more viewers.
Cranston agreed with Gilligan. He said that a protagonist’s job is often to gain the sympathy of the fans, but when it came to Breaking Bad, there was a grey area. That’s the challenge for him as an actor. What the audience didn’t know was that they had planned it all along, and it was up to them whether or not they still wanted to root for White.
Bryan Cranston on the Impact of Walter White’s Transformation
While speaking at Overheard with Evan Smith, Cranston did mention how Breaking Bad changed television in one significant way. “Never before was there a character that changed from the beginning of the show to the end,” referring to White’s transformation from good to bad.
This has become the legacy of the series that truly left an impact on the audience. The actor said that given certain circumstances, anyone could become dangerous. It might not have been the path that some fans expected for Walter White in the beginning, but Cranston had no regrets about pushing for this storyline.
Breaking Bad is currently available to watch on Netflix.
