BREAKING BAD Creator Vince Gilligan Wants More Good Guys in TV

Vince Gilligan gave us one of TV’s most iconic antiheroes with Walter White in Breaking Bad, a man who went from desperate teacher to ruthless drug kingpin. But now, he’s pushing for something different… more good guys.While accepting the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement at the Writers Guild Awards (via Variety), Gilligan reflected on the impact of Breaking Bad and its morally complex main character.He said: "Walter White is one of the all-time great bad guys, but all things being equal, I think we—I’d rather be celebrated for creating someone a bit more inspiring."He explains the reason, saying that the world already has enough villains. He explained: "We are living in an era where bad guys, the real-life kind, are running amok. For decades, we made the villains too sexy. I really think that."He pointed to characters like Michael Corleone, Hannibal Lecter, Darth Vader, and Tony Soprano, saying their larger-than-life personas have made villainy look cool rather than cautionary.Gilligan said: "When we create characters as indelible as Michael Corleone or Hannibal Lecter or Darth Vader or Tony Soprano, viewers everywhere, all around the world, they pay attention. “They say, 'Man, those dudes are badass. I want to be that cool.' When that happens, fictional bad guys stop being the cautionary player that they were created to be. God help us, they become aspirational. “So maybe what the world needs now are some good, old fashioned, Greatest Generation types who give more than they take. Who think that kindness, tolerance and sacrifice aren’t strictly for chumps."That said, he’s not disowning Breaking Bad or its legacy. He made it clear at the start of his speech: "I’m proud" of Walter White and the show.But after years of writing morally ambiguous characters, Gilligan is ready for a change. What do you think about Gilligan’s recent comments?

Feb 18, 2025 - 19:14

BREAKING BAD Creator Vince Gilligan Wants More Good Guys in TV

Vince Gilligan gave us one of TV’s most iconic antiheroes with Walter White in Breaking Bad, a man who went from desperate teacher to ruthless drug kingpin. But now, he’s pushing for something different… more good guys.

While accepting the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement at the Writers Guild Awards (via Variety), Gilligan reflected on the impact of Breaking Bad and its morally complex main character.

He said: "Walter White is one of the all-time great bad guys, but all things being equal, I think we—I’d rather be celebrated for creating someone a bit more inspiring."

He explains the reason, saying that the world already has enough villains. He explained: "We are living in an era where bad guys, the real-life kind, are running amok. For decades, we made the villains too sexy. I really think that."

He pointed to characters like Michael Corleone, Hannibal Lecter, Darth Vader, and Tony Soprano, saying their larger-than-life personas have made villainy look cool rather than cautionary.

Gilligan said: "When we create characters as indelible as Michael Corleone or Hannibal Lecter or Darth Vader or Tony Soprano, viewers everywhere, all around the world, they pay attention.

“They say, 'Man, those dudes are badass. I want to be that cool.' When that happens, fictional bad guys stop being the cautionary player that they were created to be. God help us, they become aspirational.

“So maybe what the world needs now are some good, old fashioned, Greatest Generation types who give more than they take. Who think that kindness, tolerance and sacrifice aren’t strictly for chumps."

That said, he’s not disowning Breaking Bad or its legacy. He made it clear at the start of his speech: "I’m proud" of Walter White and the show.

But after years of writing morally ambiguous characters, Gilligan is ready for a change. What do you think about Gilligan’s recent comments?