Breaking Bad Cast of Characters

Main Characters of Breaking Bad

Walter White (Bryan Cranston)

As the main character of this hit AMC series, Walter White starts out as a middle-aged high-school chemistry teacher who learns that he has terminal lung cancer. This diagnosis changes the way Walt views his life. Once, a mild mannered guy who took whatever life dealt him, now he ponders how he will take care of his family after death. Now burdened with a new baby girl named Holly, his wife Skyler, and a teenage son named Walt Jr., he decides to use his knowledge of chemistry to manufacture and distribute a very pure from of crystal methamphetamine.

Allying himself with Jesse, a former student and junkie, they quickly embark in a career in the drug making business. Soon, they become known for having the highest-quality dope in the area which leads Walter downward in an ever spiraling world of harden criminals and crime.

Throughout Season One and Two of Breaking Bad, we get a glimpse at Walt’s world from the lies and deceptions he has to put on his family from his whereabouts to how he is funding his cancer treatment. Also, he has to deal with an ever increasing DEA investigation led by his wife’s sister’s husband Hank.

After dealing with several setbacks including an attempted blackmailing from Jesse’s drug-addicted girlfriend, Jane, Walt ends Season Two with his cancer in remission and enough cash to handle his expenses. But Skyler is tired of his lies and announces that she will leave him.

About the Actor

A California native, Bryan Lee Cranston has had a tremendous career as an actor, writer and director. He has won two Emmy awards for playing Walter White on Breaking Bad, and will probably be nominated again come the end of Season Three. Previously, he was known as the head patriarch, Hal, on the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle. Over the years, he has appeared in Seinfeld, King of Queens, and on How I Met Your Mother.

Cranston has also written and directed episodes of Breaking Bad.