Bryan Cranston recently revealed how his wife reacted when she first read the pilot script for Breaking Bad before filming began. Initially, she was not thrilled about the production taking place in New Mexico while the family was based in California. However, after reading the script, she recognized why Cranston was interested in taking on the project.
Bryan Cranston recalls his wife’s reaction to Breaking Bad’s pilot
In a recent sitdown with Variety, veteran actor Bryan Cranston discussed his wife’s reaction when he received the offer to star in Breaking Bad. Cranston became widely known for portraying Walter White in the series. Cranston had her read the pilot episode, and despite her initial skepticism, she agreed that it was an exceptional script.
“When I first read the pilot of Breaking Bad, I knew that it was special,” Cranston said. “And I also knew that it was shot in New Mexico.”
“We live in Southern California. So, I thought, ‘Oh, man.’ So, I gave it to Robin to read, and I said, ‘Just so you know, this was offered to me, and it shoots in New Mexico.’” He explained that Robin was immediately skeptical, primarily because the role would require him to spend extended periods away from home.
“With a cynicism behind her like, ‘I’m not going to like this,’ I’m watching her read it. And she’s going through, and I keep peeking around the corner to see her, and cause she gets down to the last page, she closes it, throws it on the end of the bed, and goes, ‘Shit,’” Cranston recounted.
“Because she knew it was great and I had to do it. But it required me to be in New Mexico away from the family for 6 years. And so, I would fly home Friday nights, sometimes not Friday nights, Saturday morning sometimes, spend one night, come back Sunday, and start again,” Cranston added.
The series ultimately became a defining project in Cranston’s career. Breaking Bad remains one of the most acclaimed and widely recognized television dramas of its era.
