‘Breaking Bad’ Creator Vince Gilligan Urges More Good Guys in Stories Now That Bad Guys Have Taken Over the World: ‘God Help Us, They’ve Become Aspirational’

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Vince Gilligan is renowned for developing an unforgettable anti-hero character: Walter White from “Breaking Bad,” portrayed by Bryan Cranston. However, this high school chemistry teacher turned meth kingpin, known as Heisenberg, was not meant to be idolized; rather, he served as a warning, not an inspiration. With numerous questionable figures in power today, Gilligan suggests it may be prudent to emphasize the virtues of the good once more.

Receiving the prestigious Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Outstanding Television Writing, Gilligan expressed his hope to the crowd that future successful TV series will once again portray a more idealistic environment in which the protagonists are virtuous.

Or:

Accepting the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Exceptional Television Writing, Gilligan shared with the audience his desire for the next wave of popular shows to depict a world that aspires towards goodness, with heroes who embody this quality.

Or:

In acceptance of the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Television Writing, Gilligan conveyed his hope that future hit series will present a more optimistic universe where the principal characters are upstanding individuals.

Gilligan stated that Walter White is among the greatest villains of all time. However, if given a choice, he would prefer to be acknowledged for creating a character who offers more inspiration. In 2025, it’s high time we openly acknowledge this, considering the current world where real-life bad guys are causing chaos. These are individuals who establish their own rules and, despite what they may claim, prioritize themselves above all else. Who might I be referring to? Well, given that this is Hollywood, you can probably guess.

Gilligan acknowledges that the “villains” in popular media have grown excessively appealing, which might be sending a misleading message. As he put it, “When we develop characters as impactful as Michael Corleone, Hannibal Lecter, Darth Vader, Tony Soprano, viewers everywhere are drawn to them. They think, ‘Wow, those guys are cool. I want to be like that.’ However, when this happens, these fictional villains cease being the cautionary figures they were intended to be. Unfortunately, they’ve become something to aspire to instead. Perhaps what the world requires now are traditional, selfless heroes from the Greatest Generation who give more than they take. Who believe that qualities like kindness, understanding, and sacrifice aren’t just for the weak.

During the interview on stage, Gilligan revealed that in his new Apple TV+ series, which is currently being filmed in Albuquerque, the main character portrayed by Rhea Seehorn (from “Better Call Saul”) will undoubtedly be a “moral and upstanding individual.” Despite keeping the details of their sci-fi project under wraps, Gilligan expressed his admiration for Seehorn, stating, “It’s difficult to imagine her as an antagonist due to her kind nature.

Later, Gilligan shared with EbMaster that he chose to express his views during his speech even though some members of his family advised against going political. “I’m not political,” Gilligan explained. “I’ve never been political at an event like this before.”

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In a later conversation with EbMaster, Gilligan revealed that he opted to make a statement during his speech despite his family urging him to avoid politics. “I don’t do politics,” Gilligan clarified. “I’ve never been political in such settings previously.

However, he felt compelled to voice his opinion upon witnessing the rapid developments in the nation’s affairs.

He expressed the need for a return to celebrating heroes and virtuous individuals once more, stating, “It’s time we honor our heroes again, the good people.” The concept behind ‘Breaking Bad’ was sparked by the contrast of ‘good guy/bad guy’ narratives he encountered on television as a child, leading him to ponder what it could entail to create a story about a character with shades of gray, more reflective of real life. People are not always purely good or wicked; they often embody both qualities.

Over time, it seems we’ve been flooded with an abundance of shows, movies, books, and tales of all sorts. Sometimes, it feels like the message gets lost – the villains are portrayed as admirable instead of cautionary figures. I can’t help but wonder, if we keep telling stories this way, who will be left for us to cheer for? As a creator, I strongly believe we hold immense power in shaping narratives, influencing perceptions, and painting the world through our art. The question is, what kind of world do you want to inhabit? As I ponder my own mortality, I often find myself questioning the legacy of Walter White – a character I’m proud of, yet one that I wonder if I truly want as my epitaph.

Here is a portion of Gilligan’s WGA speech:

Tonight, I’d like to express my gratitude to numerous individuals who have significantly shaped me and improved my life. This includes hundreds of people, particularly those I collaborated with on ‘Breaking Bad,’ ‘Better Call Saul,’ and ‘The X-Files.’ Yet, giving a speech that mentions names would be the least effective choice for an award-winning writer. Instead, I’ll take a political approach, elevating my speech from merely the second-worst option.

In this revised version, I aimed to maintain the original’s tone and intent while making it more accessible and easy to read.

Of course, my interest in being here stems from ‘Breaking Bad’ and Walter White. I take pride in that character and the show itself. The portrayal of Walter White by Brian Cranston was exceptional. I believe the writing team, which includes Peter Gould, George Mastras, Moira Walley-Beckett, Sam Catlin, Tom Schnauz, and Gennifer Hutchinson (and possibly a few others), did an outstanding job.

I’m here due to my love for ‘Breaking Bad’ and Walter White. I feel a sense of pride towards that character and the series as a whole. Brian Cranston played Walter White exceptionally well, and the writing team, consisting of Peter Gould, George Mastras, Moira Walley-Beckett, Sam Catlin, Tom Schnauz, and Gennifer Hutchinson (plus perhaps some others), did an excellent job with the script.

Both versions convey the same message in a natural and easy-to-read manner.

Walter White is often recognized as one of the greatest villains of all time due to his actions. However, if given a choice, I’d prefer to be celebrated for creating someone more inspiring. In 2025, it’s high time we openly express this sentiment because in our current era, real-life bad guys are causing chaos and destruction.

– Walter White is known as one of the best bad guys ever due to his actions. But if given a choice, I’d rather be celebrated for creating someone more inspiring. In 2025, it’s time we openly admit that we’d prefer characters who bring positivity instead of living in an era where real-life villains are causing havoc.

Or:

– Walter White is frequently hailed as a top-tier bad guy, but if given the chance, I’d rather be celebrated for creating someone more uplifting. By 2025, it’s crucial that we publicly acknowledge this preference, considering our society is currently plagued by destructive actions of real-life villains.

In my perspective, I’m referring to individuals who establish their own laws, individuals who, despite what they may claim, primarily look after their own interests. You might be wondering whom I’m describing, given our context – it’s Hollywood, so you can probably guess. However, here’s the intriguing paradox: in our deeply fragmented nation, there’s one point upon which everyone seems to concur – we have an excess of real-life selfish individuals. The challenge lies in the fact that we inhabit different versions of reality. Finding a straightforward solution to alter this state of affairs is not easy. However, if there were a solution, I believe it would involve extricating ourselves from the murky depths of social media and genuinely engaging with one another.

However, I’m unsure about executing that plan, so I’ll stay within my area of expertise. Addressing an audience of fellow writers, I would like to propose a suggestion. Although it won’t solve every problem, it’s essential for initiating change. Let’s create more positive characters.

For many years, we’ve been making our villains too appealing. I genuinely believe this to be true. When we construct characters as iconic as Michael Corleone, Hannibal Lecter, Darth Vader, or Tony Soprano, people worldwide are drawn in. They say, ‘Wow, those guys are cool. I want to be like that.’ Unfortunately, when this occurs, fictional antagonists cease to serve their intended purpose as cautionary figures. Regrettably, they become role models instead. Perhaps what the world needs today are traditional, selfless heroes who give more than they take and understand that kindness, tolerance, and sacrifice aren’t just for weak individuals.

For instance, I think about the brave individuals who fought the wildfires in Southern California recently, or those who selflessly provided food and shelter for the victims. Aren’t they inspiring to read about real-life heroes instead of fictional ones?

I’m not suggesting how to run your creative pursuits; everyone here should write from their own heart and passion. However, if you’re seeking inspiration for your next project, consider this. While villains can be entertaining and easier to craft, we could benefit from more characters like George Bailey and Andy Taylor. They played a crucial role in shaping our nation during challenging periods. If I had created them, I would be immensely proud.

[Gives thanks to cast and crew from his shows]

Ultimately, I wish to honor this accolade by remembering my father, George Gilligan, and my uncle Gary Lambert, who recently left us last month. One may not have been fond of the other, but that does not matter now. In fact, I find myself yearning for them both equally. Thank you.

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2025-02-16 07:17