The Breaking Bad universe is still collecting trophies. At the Primetime Emmys on 14 September 2026, Rhea Seehorn, who played Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul, won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama for Vince Gilligan's Apple TV series Pluribus, and Gilligan has said season two is already being written.
It all started with a chemistry teacher in Albuquerque. Thirteen years after the finale, Breaking Bad is still the show people point to when they talk about the greatest TV ever made. Find more boxset favourites in our TV Series collection.
Breaking Bad Fact File
| Original run | 20 January 2008 – 29 September 2013 |
|---|---|
| Creator | Vince Gilligan |
| Network / studio | AMC / Sony Pictures Television |
| Seasons / episodes | 5 seasons, 62 episodes |
| Main cast | Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, RJ Mitte, Bob Odenkirk, Giancarlo Esposito, Jonathan Banks |
| Setting | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Spin-offs | Better Call Saul (2015–2022), El Camino (2019) |
Seasons
| Season/Year | Episodes/Release | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 (2008) | 7 episodes | Walter White's transformation begins |
| Season 2 (2009) | 13 episodes | Bob Odenkirk debuts as Saul Goodman |
| Season 3 (2010) | 13 episodes | Giancarlo Esposito's Gus Fring takes centre stage |
| Season 4 (2011) | 13 episodes | The battle with Gus reaches its peak |
| Season 5 (2012–2013) | 16 episodes (two halves) | The finale, "Felina", draws 10.3 million viewers |
Episode counts are for the original AMC broadcast. Season 5 aired in two parts of eight episodes, in 2012 and 2013.
Mr Chips to Scarface
Vince Gilligan, who had written for The X-Files, pitched a simple idea: a mild-mannered chemistry teacher turns into a criminal kingpin. Bryan Cranston, then best known as the dad in Malcolm in the Middle, was cast as Walter White, with Aaron Paul as his former student Jesse Pinkman.
AMC premiered the show on 20 January 2008, and it slowly grew from a critics' favourite into a global obsession.
Show your love for the show with our Breaking Bad Men's Hoodie.
Made in Albuquerque
The series was set and filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with much of it shot at Albuquerque Studios. The city's sun-baked landscapes became almost a character in their own right.
In 2022 bronze statues of Walter and Jesse were unveiled in Albuquerque, celebrating the show's connection to the city.
Celebrate the Albuquerque classic with our Breaking Bad 1 TV Icon Frame Men's T-Shirt.
The Record-Breaking Final Season
Season 5's second half earned a Metacritic score of 99, and in 2013 Guinness World Records recognised Breaking Bad as the highest-rated TV series ever. The finale, "Felina", was watched by 10.3 million people in the US.
The show won Outstanding Drama Series at the Emmys in both 2013 and 2014.
Toast that record-breaking final season with our Breaking Bad 2 TV Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
Better Call Saul and El Camino
The story continued in Better Call Saul (2015–2022), which ran for six seasons and 63 episodes with Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill. In 2019 Netflix released El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, following Jesse after the finale.
Awards
Primetime Emmy Awards
- 16 Primetime Emmy wins
- Outstanding Drama Series (2013, 2014)
- Bryan Cranston: Lead Actor in a Drama, four times (2008, 2009, 2010, 2014)
- Aaron Paul: Supporting Actor in a Drama, three times (2010, 2012, 2014)
Records
- Guinness World Records: highest-rated TV series ever (recognised 2013)
Behind the Scenes
Gilligan reunited with his Better Call Saul star Rhea Seehorn for Pluribus, which premiered on Apple TV on 7 November 2025 and has been renewed for a second season.
FAQs
How many seasons of Breaking Bad are there?
There are five seasons, with 62 episodes in total, broadcast from 2008 to 2013.
Where was Breaking Bad filmed?
In and around Albuquerque, New Mexico, including Albuquerque Studios.
Who created Breaking Bad?
Vince Gilligan created the series for AMC, produced by Sony Pictures Television.
How many Emmys did Breaking Bad win?
It won 16 Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series in 2013 and 2014.
Is there a Breaking Bad movie?
Yes. El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie was released on Netflix on 11 October 2019.
What is Vince Gilligan's new show?
Pluribus, starring Rhea Seehorn, which premiered on Apple TV in November 2025.
Shop the Breaking Bad Collection
Our made-to-order Breaking Bad fan designs are printed in the UK on hoodies and T-shirts.
Explore more boxset favourites in our TV Series collection. Want your own name on the back instead? Design a Custom Name Men's Hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Top TV Shows & Boxsets and List of the 100 Most Popular Actors.
0 comments