Imagine a show so gripping that it reshapes how you view morality, power, and family forever—welcome to the wild ride of 'Breaking Bad,' where every character pulls you deeper into a web of choices that feel eerily real. Vince Gilligan's masterpiece isn't just TV; it's a mirror to our own potential for good and evil. But here's where it gets controversial: ranking these characters? It's like debating the ultimate superhero—subjective, heated, and endlessly fun. Stick with me, and you'll see why some fans might call you a heretic for their favorite's placement.
AMC
When folks crown the greatest TV series ever made, 'Breaking Bad' by Vince Gilligan often tops the list. It hooks you from the pilot to the finale across five tight seasons, smartly bowing out before it drags. Even legendary storyteller Stephen King hailed it as the era's best (check out this link for his take: https://www.slashfilm.com/1640737/stephen-king-breaking-bad-best-tv-show/), and honestly, arguing against that feels pointless!
A big part of its magic lies in the sharp character writing. The series masterfully blurs lines between heroes and villains, showing people in tough spots acting just like we might—doing the right thing, messing up, driving us nuts, or evolving for better or worse. This realism makes ranking them tricky. The top two are no-brainers, but the rest? It boils down to their arcs and story impact. Sure, it's personal, but with solid reasoning, you might rethink folks like Marie Schrader (Betsy Brandt) or Skyler White (Anna Gunn). With that in mind, let's dive into ranking all the main 'Breaking Bad' characters, and And this is the part most people miss: how their growth mirrors real-life struggles, making the show timeless.
- Todd Alquist
AMC
Jesse Plemons brings Todd Alquist to life as a pivotal force in Season 5's chaos (for a Season 5 deep dive, visit: https://www.slashfilm.com/1656413/breaking-bad-seasons-ranked/). Without Todd's meddling, who knows where Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) would've ended up? At first, this unassuming guy gets hired to aid their operation and picks up cooking skills from them, but his dark side explodes when he coldly kills a kid who stumbles upon their train robbery. That scene reveals Todd as a heartless sociopath who eliminates threats without a second thought.
Todd replaces Jesse as Walt's lab partner, sparking a chain reaction that draws in his uncle Jack Welker (Michael Bowen) and a neo-Nazi gang, altering many fates. Think of him as the path Jesse might've taken without a moral core—a peek into a grimmer tomorrow if Jesse hadn't escaped the drug world. Among Season 5's newcomers, Todd sticks out as the most unforgettable, signaling Walt's irreversible downfall. Picture if he'd shown up sooner—what a different series that could've been!
- Steve Gomez
AMC
While Hank Schrader (Dean Norris) steals the spotlight as the DEA agent chasing Heisenberg due to his family ties, his buddy Steve Gomez (Steven Michael Quezada) often gets overlooked, yet he's crucial. After Hank's brush with death at the hands of the Cousins, Gomez stands strong, not just boosting Hank but pursuing justice relentlessly. Even when Hank spirals and Gomez worries his partner's too blinded to reason, he stands by him.
Gomez shines as one of the show's purest souls. He's the reliable colleague you'd want watching your back, dedicated to his job and doing it right. Plus, when they use Jesse as bait to nab Walt, Gomez frets over Jesse's safety, unlike Hank who treats him as expendable. This shows deep compassion, caring about Jesse despite all the trouble he's caused. It's this fierce loyalty that seals Gomez's fate—he sticks with Hank to the end, refusing to abandon him. Truly, who wouldn't want a friend like that?
- Walter White Jr.
AMC
Okay, the fandom's favorite joke about Walter White Jr. (RJ Mitte) is that he's only around for breakfast scenes—preparing it, eating it, or fetching more. But hey, breakfast is the day's fuel, so why judge? Seriously though, while Jesse Pinkman is the emotional core of 'Breaking Bad' (as explored here: https://www.slashfilm.com/961617/jesse-pinkman-was-the-true-heart-and-soul-of-breaking-bad/), Walt Jr. represents the normalcy amid Walt and Skyler's turmoil. His appearances remind us what should matter: simple family moments over drama.
Sitting together for meals might seem ordinary, but it's a grounding ritual for connection. As the series unfolds, the Whites drift apart, especially with Walt's isolation, and breakfast loses its warmth. Walt Jr. is just a typical teen navigating life, but learning his dad's secret life—especially suspecting Walt killed his uncle Hank—shatters him. It's crushing, showing no routine can mend a fractured family. For beginners watching, this highlights how everyday habits can symbolize deeper emotional rifts.
- Marie Schrader
AMC
Like her husband Hank, Marie Schrader (Betsy Brandt) starts off unlikable—self-centered, snobbish, and superficial. But first impressions deceive; she grows into a beacon of strength and integrity, offering lessons in resilience.
From battling her shoplifting compulsion to supporting Hank post-shooting and worrying about Skyler and the Whites, Marie shoulders immense burdens. Beneath her exterior lies a powerhouse, one of the show's toughest figures. She stumbles sometimes, but her intentions are pure, and she shows up for loved ones in crises. By the finale (detailed at: https://www.slashfilm.com/823971/breaking-bad-ending-explained-guess-i-got-what-i-deserved/), you feel for her—devastated by Hank's death and strained ties with Skyler due to Walt's mess. She deserved none of this chaos.
- Saul Goodman
AMC
Beyond the leads, who else grabs you instantly? Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), of course! This slick lawyer aids Walt and Jesse in evading legal woes, becoming a fan darling. His witty, cunning lines and Odenkirk's stellar performance make him unforgettable. Originally planned for just four episodes (learn more: https://www.slashfilm.com/1237615/bob-odenkirks-saul-goodman-was-only-supposed-to-last-4-episodes-not-13-years/), his charm expanded his role into the 'Better Call Saul' spinoff, delving into his past as Jimmy McGill and beyond.
Saul lights up any scene with humor, defusing tension masterfully. That said, 'Better Call Saul' fleshes him out more deeply than 'Breaking Bad' does, which is why he sits here—not as high as some might expect. Still, he's brilliant, especially comedically. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Saul a villain or anti-hero? Fans debate if his schemes make him redeemable or just dangerously fun.
- Gustavo Fring
AMC
Among TV baddies, Gustavo 'Gus' Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) (see his take: https://www.slashfilm.com/814264/giancarlo-esposito-doesnt-see-the-evil-in-his-better-call-saul-and-breaking-bad-character/) ranks as one of the most chilling. He's not flashy or intimidating; he'd blend into a crowd as a polite fast-food boss.
Underneath? A calculating killer who built an empire through smarts, not luck. He stays ahead, severing ties when needed. His clash with Walt and Jesse is doomed from the start, culminating in Walt's desperate, inventive takedown with old foes. And Gus' exit? Epic—half-faced and tie-straightened before collapsing. For example, this shows how quiet menace outpaces loud villains, a lesson in real-world manipulation.
- Mike Ehrmantraut
AMC
Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) is the ultimate fixer—cleaner, enforcer, nanny, you name it. Stoic and reliable, he handles tasks without fuss or drama.
Seeing horrors most would crack under, Mike stays cool. Loyal to Gus initially, he shifts to Walt post-Gus, understanding the business. He rises from sidekick to key player in Walt's empire. His Walt-killed end still hurts fans; it even changed Bryan Cranston's view (as shared: https://www.slashfilm.com/1413503/this-breaking-bad-moment-pushed-bryan-cranston-to-no-longer-protect-walter-white/). True to form, Mike rebuffs Walt's apology, choosing a peaceful exit.
- Hank Schrader
AMC
First meet Hank, and he might seem like a jerk—loud, arrogant, grating. But he's fiercely loyal to family and job. You'd want him as an ally, not foe, for his tenacity.
His journey spans highs and lows: post-near-death doubt, then obsession with Heisenberg, leading to the bombshell that Walt's his kin. Viewers flip from rooting against him to cheering his pursuit as Walt descends. His heroic death cements his defiance. And this is the part most people miss: Hank's growth teaches that redemption arcs apply to the 'bad guys' too, blurring lines in moral tales.
- Skyler White
AMC
Online hate paints Skyler White (Anna Gunn) as evil for clashing with Walt. But pause: if your spouse faked dying of cancer to launch a drug empire endangering everyone? Her reactions make sense. Their bond complicates—mutual help and harm. She errs, but in chaos, judgment's hard. Pre-cancer issues hint they weren't perfect, yet Walt's choices blame him most, and her laundering involvement adds layers.
Writers nearly axed her in Season 5 (read about it: https://www.slashfilm.com/1241071/breaking-bads-writers-almost-killed-off-skyler-in-season-5/), luckily not—she drives the plot, no fridging deserved. Love or loathe, she evokes strong feelings, key for authentic characters. Controversy alert: Is Skyler a victim or enabler? Your take?
- Walter White
AMC
'Breaking Bad's' protagonist, Walt evolves from a desperate cancer patient securing his legacy to a power-mad kingpin (his arc analyzed: https://www.slashfilm.com/522875/the-journey-of-walter-white-a-spoiler-filled-breaking-bad-fan-video/). From his iconic underwear run in Season 1, it's unpredictable.
True to the title, he 'breaks bad'—noble motives corrupt into greed. Like Icarus, his hubris burns him. Ultimately, he confesses: it wasn't for family, but the thrill. Riches came, but at the cost of everything real. For beginners, this explores how good intentions pave hell's road.
- Jesse Pinkman
AMC
While 'Breaking Bad' is Walt's tale, Jesse Pinkman is its soul. Walt drags him into drugs, altering his life forever. Wealth and power come, but so do tragedies like Jane's death (Krysten Ritter's insight: https://www.slashfilm.com/1331417/krysten-ritter-underestimated-jane-breaking-bad-death/) and Tomas's.
Jesse's open-hearted, broken by losses. As Walt corrupts, Jesse anchors morality, pleading to quit. Loyalty and manipulation keep him trapped.
He reminds us: power and cash pale against character and kindness. Jesse owns flaws, strives for better. Few characters grow thus. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Jesse the true hero, outshining Walt? Fans rage over this top spot—do you agree, or think Walt deserves it? Share your thoughts in the comments; what's your ranking shake-up?**
