When Breaking Bad wrapped up in 2013, it left behind a cultural footprint few television dramas ever manage to secure. Fans spent years tracking Walter White and Jesse Pinkman through the scorched deserts of Albuquerque, wondering how far a high school chemistry teacher could fall. Once the cameras stopped rolling, the ensemble cast faced the ultimate question every defining TV show presents: life after a masterpiece.
Many actors from the series successfully avoided being typecast, launching into acclaimed prestige dramas, blockbuster films, and award-winning theater. Others took behind-the-scenes control or found new creative avenues. Here is a closer look at where the primary stars of Breaking Bad went after the series finale.
Bryan Cranston
Before Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston was best known as the lovable, eccentric dad Hal in the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle. Walter White wiped that slate clean, earning Cranston four Primetime Emmy Awards and cementing him as a heavyweight dramatic actor.
Instead of chasing typical blockbuster action roles, Cranston gravitated toward complex historical dramas and character studies. In 2015, he earned an Academy Award nomination for playing blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo in the biographical film Trumbo. He also commanded the Broadway stage, winning a Tony Award for playing network executive Howard Beale in Network.
Cranston frequently balances acting with producing and directing. He helmed episodes of television, starred in crime dramas like The Infiltrator, and teamed up with co-star Aaron Paul to launch Dos Hombres, a successful artisanal mezcal brand. Despite all his diverse projects, Cranston occasionally slips back into the Walter White persona for fun, notably appearing in Super Bowl commercials and surprise cameo appearances.
Aaron Paul
Aaron Paul brought a raw, volatile energy to Jesse Pinkman, a performance that won him three Emmy Awards and turned a minor recurring character into the emotional core of the series. When the show ended, Paul didn't waste any time finding new footing in Hollywood.
He transitioned straight to the big screen, starring in the action film Need for Speed and Ridley Scott's biblical epic Exodus: Gods and Kings. Paul also proved his dramatic range on television, taking on major roles in critically acclaimed series like Netflix's animated tragicomedy BoJack Horseman, Hulu's sci-fi thriller The Path, and the sci-fi giant Westworld.
For loyal fans of the franchise, Paul reprised his defining role one final time in the Netflix sequel film El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019) and later returned as Jesse Pinkman alongside Bryan Cranston for the final season of the prequel series Better Call Saul.
Bob Odenkirk
Bob Odenkirk was already a comedy legend from Mr. Show when he arrived in Albuquerque as the sleazy criminal lawyer Saul Goodman. Series creator Vince Gilligan recognized Odenkirk's incredible timing and dramatic chops, expanding his role into something far deeper than comic relief.
That gamble paid off tenfold. Odenkirk took center stage in the prequel spin-off Better Call Saul, which ran for six critically acclaimed seasons and earned him multiple Emmy nominations.
During and after his run as Jimmy McGill, Odenkirk shifted perceptions of his career entirely by diving headfirst into action cinema. He underwent intensive physical training to star as an unassuming assassin in the 2021 action thriller Nobody, proving he could carry a hard-hitting Hollywood franchise just as easily as a nuanced legal drama.
Anna Gunn
Anna Gunn played Skyler White, one of the most intensely debated and misunderstood characters in television history. Gunn's nuanced portrayal of a wife caught in her husband's criminal descent earned her two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress.
Following the series, Gunn starred in the Fox mystery-drama miniseries Gracepoint (the American adaptation of Broadchurch) and appeared in the 2016 finance thriller Sully, directed by Clint Eastwood.
Gunn has also maintained a steady presence in American theater, performing in productions like The Columnist on Broadway and various regional stage works in Los Angeles and New York. She has spoken candidly about the intense, unwarranted vitriol directed at her character by online fans during the show's original broadcast, highlighting a broader cultural conversation about misogyny in television viewership.
Dean Norris
Dean Norris played DEA agent Hank Schrader, balancing tough-guy bluster with genuine warmth and professional dedication. Norris was already a familiar face in Hollywood action and sci-fi films, but Breaking Bad gave him his most prominent platform.
As soon as the series wrapped, Norris immediately transitioned into television staples. He played 'Big Jim' Rennie in the CBS sci-fi series Under the Dome for three seasons and later took on a memorable recurring role as mob boss Clay Rust in the TNT crime-comedy Claws. Norris continues to be a go-to character actor in Hollywood, appearing in films like Death Wish and television shows like Scandal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the main cast stay in touch after Breaking Bad ended?
Yes, the core cast maintains close friendships. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, in particular, remain extremely close friends and business partners, frequently collaborating on promotional tours for their mezcal company and making joint cameo appearances.
Is there any chance of another Breaking Bad spin-off?
Series creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould have repeatedly stated that Better Call Saul served as the definitive conclusion to the Breaking Bad universe. While the creators have moved on to new sci-fi and drama projects, the existing universe remains completely wrapped up.
How many total Emmy Awards did Breaking Bad win?
Over its run, Breaking Bad won 16 Primetime Emmy Awards, including multiple wins for Outstanding Drama Series, Lead Actor (Bryan Cranston), Supporting Actor (Aaron Paul, Giancarlo Esposito), and Supporting Actress (Anna Gunn).
What awards did Bob Odenkirk win for Better Call Saul?
While Better Call Saul was famously shut out of major wins at the Emmys despite receiving dozens of nominations, Odenkirk won multiple Critics' Choice Television Awards and Saturn Awards for his lead performance as Jimmy McGill.
