‘Breaking Bad’ Star Betsy Brandt Totally Misunderstood the Show Before Her Audition
- Actress Betsy Brandt was confused about Breaking Bad being a comedy when she read for the pilot episode.
- She remembers meeting Dean Norris at the audition and claimed she is going to go in with the thought of reading lines as if it was a comedy show.
- Breaking Bad also made Bryan Cranston shift from his comedic roles into a more nuanced and serious portrayal.
Making the number 1 show of all time on various lists must be an exhilarating experience for the showrunners of Breaking Bad. In the cluttered space where everyone is trying to hit just the right spot and deliver content that resonates with the masses, Breaking Bad was able to not just succeed, but also leave an indelible mark that would change the industry forever.
It catapulted not just the popularity of the network it premiered on but also the actors who exceptionally delivered amazing performances. Betsy Brandt, the actress who played Marie Schrader, became a household name after the success of the show.
Betsy Brandt Thought Breaking Bad was a Comedy Series
When Vince Gilligan was scouting for the perfect actors to bring his magnificent story to life, he met with many candidates who aspired to be a part of greatness in the making. But back then, nobody knew what the show’s potential was and how it had the power to change the actors’ lives.
Reminiscing on how she landed the part, Betsy Brandt told Rich Eisen her first impression of the show. Apparently, she thought it was going to be a comedy show and was unprepared for what was going to follow in the audition. She recalled,
It’s so funny I met Dean Norris in the waiting room to go audition for Vince Gilligan and he was auditioning for Hank. We had no idea what this show was I was like is it a comedy? Because I’m going in there and reading it like it’s funny because I think it’s pretty funny and he was like oh yeah no me too me too and so we but that’s how our characters were not for all of it but a lot of it.
In all fairness, Hank and Marie’s characters are quite funny in the series as Marie is Skylar’s sister. The constant suspicions and the way Walter navigates the situation are pretty funny to see. However, the show includes some elements of dark comedy and that’s about it. The other major part of the show is serious stuff that required even Bryan Cranston to get out of his comedy schtick.
Bryan Cranston’s Shift from Comedy to Drama
Before Breaking Bad ever came into existence, Cranston’s roles were mostly comedic. The actor had fun doing funny movies and shows that eventually consolidated his image in the industry. However, he wished to diversify and was on the lookout for projects that could test his range. He led the show Malcolm in the Middle just before appearing on Breaking Bad.
Cranston shared how the first show’s ending let him be a part of Breaking Bad in the first place. On the Smartless podcast, the actor revealed,
Fox said, ‘Keep the sets up. We might do an eighth season of ‘Malcolm In The Middle.” And everyone was like, ‘Yeahhh that’d be great.’ In late April and early May, they called, when the upfronts are going on, they said, ‘Nope, we had a very good pilot season. Thank you guys, you did well. You’re on your own.’
She continued:
So we thought, ‘Ahh, that’s too bad.’ Later that month, I get the call to go see a guy called Vince Gilligan. ‘Do you remember him from ‘X-Files’?’ ‘Kinda.’ ‘He wants to see you about a new project called ‘Breaking Bad.” […] So had we got that eighth season of ‘Malcolm In The Middle,’ I would not have been available to shoot that pilot and someone else would be talking to you.
It was nothing less than fate intervening to have Cranston be a part of the revolutionary show since fans cannot imagine anyone else playing Walter White better than him. Luckily, Cranston decided to trust his instincts and dive into a role on the other end of the spectrum from Hal Wilkerson.
Breaking Bad is streaming on Netflix.
