David Costabile's Gale Boetticher is an intriguing reflection of Walt, a fellow chemistry genius who saw the potential in their craft. Unlike Walt's caged animal, however, Gale was a more domesticated spirit, lacking that malicious drive. His scholarly nature made his tragic fate one of the series' most heartbreaking moments.| © Sony Pictures Television
Introducing a major character in a final season is risky, but Jesse Plemons’ Todd Alquist became a darkly brilliant addition. He served as a soulless Bizarro version of Jesse, just as easily manipulated, but utterly devoid of a conscience. This chilling lack of morality made him unpredictably dangerous and launched Plemons' career as a master of unsettling characters. | © Sony Pictures Television
While Marie Schrader’s kleptomania sometimes felt like a forced subplot, she excelled as a vital reactionary character. Her sibling tension with Skyler and her fierce, often unreciprocated loyalty to Hank made her a compelling emotional foil. In the end, she earned a quietly perfect conclusion in the Better Call Saul finale. | © Sony Pictures Television
Huell Babineaux is effortlessly hilarious, with Lavell Crawford's natural comedic presence making him an instant scene-stealer. Despite being a career criminal in constant danger, Huell maintains the most relaxed, unflappable attitude of anyone on the show. His laid-back chemistry with Bill Burr's Kuby created one of Breaking Bad's most underrated and funny duos. | © Sony Pictures Television
Badger is a guaranteed dose of delightful comic relief every time he appears. Actor Matt Jones made him a lovable goof, whether tap-dancing while high or launching into epic rants about Star Trek. He even anchors one of the series' greatest cold opens with his hilariously tense bench conversation with an undercover cop. | © Sony Pictures Television
Hector Salamanca is unforgettable, a character built from pure, wordless fury expressed through the ding of a bell. Actor Mark Margolis did wonders with body language, conveying immense rage and even a dark sense of humor without a single line of dialogue. His silent, explosive presence created a villain both chilling and darkly comedic. | © Sony Pictures Television
Krysten Ritter's Jane Margolis had the best chemistry with Aaron Paul's Jesse, creating the show's most compelling and complex romance. She was arguably the best thing to happen to him, broadening his horizons and fiercely recognizing Walt's manipulation. Yet she was also the worst, pulling him into heroin addiction, a tragic complication that fueled the series' rawest drama. | © Sony Pictures Television
Tuco Salamanca was the first truly memorable villain, a volatile kingpin who became Walt and Jesse's explosive gateway into the wider criminal world. Actor Raymond Cruz made a blistering impression in just a few episodes, crafting a uniquely terrifying and unpredictable psychopath. Though his storyline was cut short, Tuco's raw, chaotic energy set a brutal standard for every antagonist that followed. | © Sony Pictures Television
The genius of Hank Schrader was making Walt's brother-in-law a DEA agent, raising the stakes from the very first episode. Dean Norris delivered a brilliantly subversive take on the action hero: a tough, quippy lawman who was also deeply vulnerable to the trauma of his job. Hank’s painful, authentic recovery from physical and emotional wounds made his badass persona truly compelling. | © Sony Pictures Television
Mike Ehrmantraut started as a simple plot device, a nameless cleaner sent to fix messy problems. Yet Jonathan Banks imbued the role with such weary gravitas that the character demanded more. Learning that he did these brutal jobs to provide for his granddaughter gave this grizzled mercenary a surprising, sympathetic heart, transforming him into a spinoff lead. | © Sony Pictures Television
Giancarlo Esposito was so incredible as Breaking Bad's greatest villain that he's become Hollywood's go-to actor for TV antagonists. Yet none of those roles top his most iconic character: Gus Fring. As Walt's perfect nemesis, Gus wasn't just more powerful; he was just as smart, creating a true battle of equals.| © Sony Pictures Television
Jesse Pinkman started as Walt's former student, but their partnership twisted into something far deeper: a raw, dysfunctional father-son bond. Jesse's own family had rejected him, and he tragically looked to Walt for guidance. Aaron Paul's heartfelt performance gave the show its soul, making Jesse's loyalty and pain the series' true moral compass. | © Sony Pictures Television
Walter White is unquestionably the best character in Breaking Bad, just as Tony Soprano defined The Sopranos. The entire series is a deep psychological character study built around Walt’s journey, making him the show’s most complex and compelling figure. He redefined the antihero; unlike those born bad, we watched a mild-mannered man gradually “break bad” into a monster. | © Sony Pictures Television
The legacy of Breaking Bad is built on the strength of its characters. From the man who started it all to the victims and villains in his wake, here are the personalities who turned a crime story into an all-time great series.
