There was a time when the prospect of a Hollywood A-lister crossing over into television would have been unthinkable.
After all, they were already at the highest echelon of acting, having either made their way up through series acting or bypassing it completely.
Now, though, the tide has completely shifted. Television is seen as just as important as film in the streaming era. On top of that, actors are excited about the idea of being able to become a character over the course of many years.
Bryan Cranston’s incredible turn as Walter White in Breaking Bad surely had an influence on this shift, as other actors looked enviously at one of the greatest character arcs in history.
Cranston’s Turn as Walter White Was One for the History Books
Before he took on the role of White in Breaking Bad, Cranston was seen as a run-of-the-mill television actor known for shows like Malcolm in the Middle.
Now, though, he’s regarded as one of the best in the business. His transformation from high school chemistry teacher to drug kingpin was gradual and nuanced, and it’s a performance that will be studied for many years to come.
Thanks to Cranston’s amazing acting work, Breaking Bad is often cited as being one of the greatest television shows of all time.
Despite finishing in 2013, its legacy lives on to this day in spinoffs like Better Call Saul and El Camino, and related games of casino such as Breaking Bad Roulette. The iconic branding can be seen on the game’s thumbnail, and acts as an instant pull to anyone who has seen the show.
Which Hollywood A-Listers Have Made the Shift to Television?
In the years since Breaking Bad ended, there has been a notable rise of Hollywood actors transitioning to television series.
Many of the biggest names now appreciate the fact that in this format, they can get much more screen time and embark on complex emotional journeys over several episodes or seasons.
Kevin Spacey was one of the earliest huge names to make the switch, when he took on the part of Frank Underwood in Netflix’s House of Cards.
Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson starred in True Detective a year later, and the former’s performance completely turned his career around.
Fargo has also seen plenty of Hollywood A-listers switch to television parts, with Billy Bob Thornton and Ewan McGregor a couple of the biggest names to feature in the anthology series.
Series Actors Are Now Finding It Easier to Transition to Hollywood Too
Along with Hollywood actors making the move to television, Cranston also trailblazed a path for series actors to make it into film more easily. After starring in Breaking Bad, he earned roles in various movies including Godzilla, The Infiltrator, and Wakefield.
Numerous other actors followed in his footsteps, including a few familiar faces from Breaking Bad. Saul Goodman actor Bob Odenkirk is now the star of the Nobody franchise, and Giancarlo Esposito, who played Gus Fring, has been in countless big budget pictures including Captain America: Brave New World.
There’s a chance that without Breaking Bad and Cranston’s performance, television wouldn’t be as packed with massive stars as it is today.
Now, though, some of the best actors in Hollywood are turning to television to take on roles that allow them to delve into characters more deeply.