Bryan Cranston has shared his thoughts on Breaking Bad being named the best television series of the 21st century by The New York Times. The prestigious ranking was determined through ballots submitted by 516 television industry professionals, including actors, writers, showrunners, and producers.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Cranston expressed immense pride in the honor. He emphasized that the accolade belongs to everyone who contributed to the acclaimed AMC drama rather than any individual achievement. “That’s something that’s voted on,” Cranston told People. “That’s bestowed upon us as the collective who had something to do with that show.”
How the 21st-Century TV Ranking Was Decided
To compile the definitive list of the 100 Best TV Shows of the 21st Century, The New York Times surveyed a vast panel of industry experts. Only programs that premiered on or after January 1, 2000, were eligible for consideration.
When the final votes were tallied, Breaking Bad captured the coveted No. 1 spot. The upper tier of the ranking featured several other monumental modern dramas and comedies:
- 1. Breaking Bad
- 2. The Wire
- 3. Mad Men
- 4. Succession
- 5. Fleabag
A Legacy of Critical and Commercial Success
Created by Vince Gilligan, Breaking Bad ran for five seasons on AMC from January 2008 to September 2013. The series followed Walter White, a struggling high school chemistry teacher played by Cranston. Diagnosed with stage-three lung cancer, White turns to manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine with his former student, Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul.
Alongside Cranston and Paul, the series featured an acclaimed ensemble cast including Anna Gunn, Giancarlo Esposito, Bob Odenkirk, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, RJ Mitte, and Jonathan Banks.
Throughout its broadcast history, the drama accumulated massive critical acclaim. It won 16 Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, two Peabody Awards, and a British Academy Television Award. Cranston earned the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series four times. Paul secured three supporting actor trophies, and Gunn won twice for her supporting performance.
The cultural footprint of the show later expanded through two projects. These included the critically acclaimed prequel and spin-off series Better Call Saul, which ran until August 2022, and the Netflix sequel film El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, released in October 2019.
Reflecting on external recognition from industry peers, Cranston noted that the accolade validates the grueling, collaborative effort required to bring the complex world of Albuquerque to life across five seasons.
