What The Cast Of Breaking Bad Is Doing Today

When “Breaking Bad” first aired, it transformed the landscape of television storytelling. Viewers were taken aback by the evolution of its characters, particularly Walter White, a seemingly ordinary high school chemistry teacher who spiraled into the dark underworld of meth production. This groundbreaking series not only broke the mold of character development but also showcased the incredible talents of its cast, many of whom have continued to shine brightly in Hollywood.

The impact of “Breaking Bad” on its actors' careers has been profound. Bryan Cranston, who played Walter White, was not known for such dramatic roles before this series, having primarily appeared in comedic roles. His stunning transformation into a drug kingpin won him four Emmy Awards and opened up a plethora of opportunities in film, theater, and beyond.

As we explore the journeys of the “Breaking Bad” cast members today, we’ll discover how their lives and careers have evolved since the show concluded in 2013. From starring in major films to launching entrepreneurial ventures, the cast has continued to make their mark on the entertainment industry. Let’s take a closer look at what these talented actors are up to now!

Table of Contents

• Bryan Cranston transitioned to film, Broadway, and mezcal
• Aaron Paul joined Westworld and reprised his Breaking Bad role in a follow-up film
• Bob Odenkirk starred in prequel spin-off Better Call Saul
• Anna Gunn starred in a remake of a British crime thriller
• Betsy Brandt went on to Life in Pieces and Saint X
• RJ Mitte continued his acting career in various film and TV projects
• Dean Norris went Under the Dome
• Jonathan Banks reprised his Breaking Bad role for Saul
• Giancarlo Esposito journeyed to a galaxy far, far away for a Star Wars series
• Jesse Plemons became an Oscar nominee
• Matt Jones went on to become a sitcom MVP
• Lavell Crawford returned to his stand-up comedy roots and lost over 100 pounds
• Krysten Ritter went from sitcom to superhero
• From Suits to Billions, David Costabile is no longer in the background

Bryan Cranston transitioned to film, Broadway, and mezcal

To describe “Breaking Bad” as life-changing for Bryan Cranston is both entirely true and something of an understatement. His critically acclaimed, Emmy-winning performance on the show led to opportunities he previously didn’t have access to, and he capitalized on many of them. For his first post-“Breaking Bad” project, Cranston stepped away from television and onto the stage, portraying President Lyndon B. Johnson in 2014 on Broadway in “All the Way.” He won his first Tony Award for the role, which he later revived for an HBO movie based on the play.

Following “Breaking Bad,” Cranston appeared in several movies, including “Godzilla,” “Trumbo” (for which he received an Oscar nomination), “Wakefield,” “Asteroid City,” and more. On the small screen, he made an Emmy-nominated appearance on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” lent his voice to the animated comedy “SuperMansion,” and starred in the acclaimed drama series “Your Honor.” He also returned to Broadway in 2018 for the stage adaptation of the film “Network,” resulting in a second Tony sitting on his mantle. Beyond acting, in 2019, he teamed up with “Breaking Bad” co-star Aaron Paul to launch their own brand of mezcal, Dos Hombres.

Aaron Paul joined Westworld and reprised his Breaking Bad role in a follow-up film

Aaron Paul, who played Walter White’s partner in crime Jesse Pinkman on “Breaking Bad,” went on to star in several movies, including “A Long Way Down,” “Need for Speed,” “Dual,” and others. Paul also bolstered his TV credits, starring in “The Path,” “Truth Be Told,” the anthology series “Black Mirror,” and the final two seasons of HBO’s “Westworld.” Most notable for “Breaking Bad” fans, however, was when Paul revived Jesse in the Netflix 2019 standalone sequel movie “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie,” revealing the character’s harrowing journey after making his escape in the series finale of “Breaking Bad.”

“Breaking Bad” clearly changed Paul’s life in many ways, but perhaps the most important has been the still-strong bond that he forged with Bryan Cranston. “He became one of my closest friends — my mentor — very early on,” Paul told Esquire. Teaming up for Dos Hombres, he said, was not just a business venture but an excuse for the two to spend time together — and, as Cranston pointed out in the same interview, Paul is really the brains behind the business. “He started it all. It was his idea,” Cranston explained. “Someone has to be the cover girl, and that’s me.”

Bob Odenkirk starred in prequel spin-off Better Call Saul

Bob Odenkirk was best known for his work as a comedian — like in the cult-hit sketch series “Mr. Show,” for example — when he was cast in a guest-starring role as shady lawyer Saul Goodman in “Breaking Bad.” What he thought would be a one-off acting gig, however, proved to be the most impactful of his life. Not only was he later bumped up to full-fledged cast member, Odenkirk also reprised the character in the prequel spin-off series “Better Call Saul.”

Only slightly less critically acclaimed than the original, “Better Call Saul” ran for six seasons while landing 53 Emmy nominations (but zero wins), including six nods for Odenkirk in the lead actor category. Odenkirk also reunited with “Mr. Show” partner David Cross for the 2015 sketch-comedy series “W/Bob & David” and starred in the 2023 drama series “Lucky Hank.”

Anna Gunn starred in a remake of a British crime thriller

Anna Gunn starred in “Breaking Bad” as Skyler White, Walter’s wife. Like other members of the cast, Gunn remained busy after the show ended. She co-starred with David Tennant in “Gracepoint,” a U.S. remake of Tennant’s British drama “Broadchurch.” Other TV projects included “Shades of Blue,” HBO’s “Deadwood,” a recurring role in the streaming comedy “Physical,” and co-starring with Christoph Waltz in the Roku miniseries “Most Dangerous Game.”

She’s also appeared in several movies, including “Sully,” “The Apology,” “Land of Dreams,” and, most notably, the 2016 film “Equity,” a financial thriller featuring an all-female starring cast and creative team. For Gunn, the film’s underlying themes were powerful ones. “For women, no matter what career, what path you choose, it’s still an uphill battle to work your way up to these top leadership positions,” she told The Guardian. “We really wanted to not only talk about women in Wall Street but women in all positions of life.”

Betsy Brandt went on to Life in Pieces and Saint X

Betsy Brandt is known to “Breaking Bad” fans as Marie Schrader, sister of Anna Gunn’s Skyler. Her years on “Breaking Bad” proved to be a launching pad for other opportunities in Hollywood after the show ended. The first was the short-lived sitcom “The Michael J. Fox Show,” axed after one season. She also appeared in recurring roles in the TV dramas “Parenthood” and “Masters of Sex,” before being cast as Heather Hughes in sitcom “Life in Pieces,” which ran for four seasons. After that, she recurred in the “Suits” spin-off “Pearson,” the CBS sitcom “The Unicorn,” and the Netflix rom-com “Love, Victor.” More recently, she was part of the ensemble cast of Hulu’s whodunit “Saint X.”

Brandt has also appeared in multiple movies since the end of “Breaking Bad,” including “Mothers of the Bride,” “Claire in Motion,” “Between Us,” and “Flint,” a TV movie dramatizing the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Meanwhile, Brandt also reprised her “Breaking Bad” role in the series finale of “Better Call