Featuring an ensemble cast featuring Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Jonathan Banks, and others, Breaking Bad has emerged as one of the most highly acclaimed shows in Hollywood. The series follows Walter White, a chemistry teacher turned criminal, after being diagnosed with stage three cancer. Premiering in 2008, Breaking Bad ran for a successful five seasons, concluding in 2013 after the release of its fifth and final season. Interestingly enough, Banks got his gig by slapping one of his co-stars in the show.
Jonathan Banks’ role as Mike Ehrmantraut truly stole the show, as he was fantastic in each and every scene he was in. After all, Banks’ portrayal of the cold, calculated yet gentle hitman truly elevated the show to new heights.
Jonathan Banks Landed Breaking Bad Role After Slapping His Co-Star
While speaking to Decider, Jonathan Banks shared insights into how he became involved in Breaking Bad and the creation of his character. He joined the show in the last episode of the second season, initially brought in to replace Bob Odenkirk, who couldn’t fulfil a specific role due to prior commitments. Vince Gilligan and Tom Schnauz, familiar with Banks’ work from the ’80s show Wiseguy, decided to cast him for the role.
‘‘I think Mike is a great character, but it’s the writing. Here’s what happened–they brought me in the last show of the second season in Breaking Bad. Bobby Odenkirk was new to the show, too, and he had committed to another job. In the episode, Jesse’s [Aaron Paul] girlfriend ODs, and somebody had to clean it up and that was supposed to be Bobby. He had already committed to another job, so he couldn’t do it.
So Vince [Gilligan] and Tom Schnauz, when they were in college used to watch a show called Wiseguy in the ‘80s, and they liked this character that I played. So when my name came up–this is as the story is told to me–they said, “We’ll get that guy.”
Banks thought he was a guest star initially, but his unplanned interaction with Aaron Paul during a scene caught the creators’ attention. In the aforementioned ad-lib, Banks ended up slapping Aaron Paul in the head, which was not part of the script at all.
”I went in, and I just thought I was going in to be the guest star. I had no idea what the show was. In the scene, I reached out, and I slapped Aaron in the head–and that wasn’t in the script. He whines about it to this day.
I guess they liked the scene, and I went home. I didn’t think much about it. They had me come back, and then Bryan Cranston really wanted to let me know about the show. And that took off from there. I guess they liked the character, so they kept the character around.”
Obviously, it was the best thing for the show in general that Jonathan Banks became one of the central characters considering all he managed to do not just in Breaking Bad but its spinoff/sequel Better Call Saul as well.
Bryan Cranston Revealed The Complexity In Writing Walter White
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Bryan Cranston emphasized the excitement of experiencing the character’s highs and the thrill of dangerous paths taken by Walter White and Jesse Pinkman. Cranston pointed out that the audience gets to rejoice in the thrilling moments.
“You want to experience the highs with Walter White? You want to be on that train ride with Jesse Pinkman? Here’s that rejoicing for you, the audience. And now here’s the repercussions from the business that they’re in. Here’s what happens when you forget that there’s morality connected and consequences to every action. It was just so amazing.”
Bryan Cranston further added that there are also repercussions and consequences when morality is forgotten. He expressed appreciation for the complexity and depth of the storyline, describing it as “amazing.”
