Top 10 Best Breaking Bad Characters

Breaking Bad isn't just one of the best TV shows of all time, it's a masterclass in creating unforgettable characters. From the tragic downfall of Walter White to the unforgettable personalities that surround him, this series delivers a lineup of people who each leave their own unique stamp on the story. Some characters might pull at your heartstrings, while others will have you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what they'll do next.

When you think of Breaking Bad, it's hard not to reflect on how these characters have shaped the experience. Maybe you're drawn to the unpredictability of a certain fast-talking lawyer, or you appreciate the steady, no-nonsense vibe of a fixer who always knows what's up. The cast is rich with morally complex figures, those who teeter between right and wrong, and those who dive straight into the deep end.

The Top Ten

Walter White

Walter Hartwell White Sr. is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the television series Breaking Bad, portrayed by Bryan Cranston. At 50 years old, he is a high school chemistry teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who is diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. Facing financial difficulties... read more

Walt is a character with one of the most interesting character arcs. Originally a chemistry teacher who wouldn't want to kill someone, his desire to manufacture drugs, originally to pay for his children, led him to become the ruthless Heisenberg people know today.
Yet in the end, he always cared for Jesse and his family, even Hank.

I think the transition from good to bad is extremely fascinating for anyone who watches the show. Walter White reaches the peak of his greed and cruelty during the first half of Season 5. Yet, when he commits various acts, there's a part of you that understands why he does what he does, given his situation.
For example, if Walt didn't let Jane die, Jesse would have overdosed on heroin and died, and Jane probably would have died too. He made that decision to save Jesse, and it hurt him to do that. If he didn't have Jesse kill Gale, Walt would be dead, and Jesse probably would die too. If he didn't poison Brock, not only would he die, but everyone in his family would too. He also knew exactly how much to give him in order to keep him alive.
The one time that I think he went too far was when he killed Mike because there was no reason whatsoever to do it. I was fine with the prison killings because it sort of felt like a great big victory, not just for Walt, but for his family, until he left that book right in plain sight for Hank to find it.
Overall, he's a badass, interesting, yet understandable character. He's the best anti-hero in TV history, even over Dexter, because Walt kills people when his life or his double life is in danger, and Dexter kills because he likes it.
Jesse Pinkman

Jesse Pinkman is a fictional character in the television series Breaking Bad, portrayed by Aaron Paul. He is the former student and later partner of Walter White, assisting him in the production of methamphetamine. Jesse becomes known for producing high-quality meth, comparable in purity to Walter's... read more

There isn't one season where we don't sympathize with the good-hearted meth head. From his romances cut short to his neglecting family, his life is constantly throwing shade at him. Regardless, he's smarter than the characters give him credit for, great with kids, and overall a good person with potential.
No one could've played Pinkman better than Aaron Paul. May you and Mr. White reign over television beyond eternities.

Jesse is so much better than Walt. Walt transitions from an extremely likable character into an evil, power-hungry maniac. He destroys every other character in the show's lives and uses cancer and his family as justification for his lust for power.
Although his character is well-portrayed by Bryan Cranston, the only thing he could possibly rank number 1 in is the most unlikable characters of all time.
Mike Ehrmantraut

Michael "Mike" Ehrmantraut is a fictional character in Breaking Bad and its spinoff prequel Better Call Saul. He is portrayed by actor Jonathan Banks. Mike is a former police officer who becomes a private investigator, head of security, and fixer for Gus Fring.

One of the creepier but strangely likable major characters, Mike is the stoic Rambo of senior citizens. He's another deeply morally flawed character, obviously a caring grandpa but with no compunction about blowing people away.

He's my favorite character ever! He's so wise and loyal. Despite all the things that go through his life, he never tried to kill any innocent person. He's a character to die for and root for. RIP legend.

Mike has both a good side and an evil side. He is a loving grandfather for his granddaughter and also a ruthless and deadly man. This guy is awesome.
Saul Goodman

Jimmy McGill, known professionally as Saul Goodman, is a fictional television character created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. He is a supporting character in Breaking Bad and the main protagonist of its prequel series Better Call Saul. The character, portrayed by Bob Odenkirk, is a morally flexible... read more

Legally born James Morgan McGill, Saul felt he could never get anywhere in life by doing good. Clueless to the concept of proper law practice, Jimmy decided to let it go, becoming a lawyer for criminals.
He's a very fun character, morally ambiguous, yet seeming like this charming, affable person who wants what's best for everyone. Until he suggests putting a hit on Jesse, that is. He's very lost and misguided, and that's what's so fascinating about him.

Another deeply morally flawed character whose humor, charm, and sleaze, yet actual command of the law, were counterpoints to the horrors of Jesse and Walt's meth life. Bob Odenkirk is a fabulous actor and shines in the prequel, Better Call Saul.
Gus Fring

Aside from Walt, Gus is perhaps one of the smartest characters in the franchise. He was a wolf (a psychotic drug dealer) dressed in sheep's clothing (the friendly entrepreneur running a fried chicken chain), masking his true colors very well.
Yet, he still genuinely believed in the value of professionalism. And how did this all start? With the death of his close ally, Max, a moment that made Gus make up his mind 20 years before the events of the show. He planned for that long to get back at the cartel.
A truly majestic villain and a well-written character.

I like to think that Gus didn't actually order his dealers to kill Tomas. If you don't count that, then there is only one murder he commits throughout the series that isn't purely about making Hector suffer for what he did to his friend all those years ago.
That kind of dynamic is just so interesting, and it makes Gus stick out in my head. I'm kind of disappointed that they went with Saul for the spin-off because Gus seems much more fascinating. I definitely could have used more scenes with Gus and his "brother."
Of course, I don't even need to mention his amazing death scene, which is perfect. If I forget everything about the series, I will still remember that scene.
Hank Schrader

Arguably the best character in the series. By best, I mean as a DEA agent, a brother-in-law, and a good man in general. He didn't deserve what he got in the end, but we all knew it was going to happen at some point. Every step he took to further the Heisenberg case only increased the risks to his life. Lego ASAC Schrader!

Perhaps the least morally flawed major character of the series, Hank is true to his calling in law enforcement, even to his death. I found him somewhat sexist and too traditionally male towards his wife, but the acting was terrific.
Tuco Salamanca

Though he only appeared in a total of five episodes, Tuco was a herald towards a bigger, much darker story revealed in Season 4. He is also the show's only extroverted villain, and Raymond Cruz makes the most of it. He's frighteningly psychotic yet also a ton of fun to watch. It seemed like he was going to literally fly off the walls every time he inhaled any meth.
His family life is also implied to be very intriguing. He loves his grandma, as shown in 'Better Call Saul', and his uncle... his relationship with his uncle was a complicated one. Though a legitimate threat, Tuco was also an entertaining one, and should he appear again in 'Better Call Saul', he's always welcome.
Huell Babineaux

Come on, Huell is awesome. He's played by Lavell Crawford, who is a great stand-up comedian. He is the perfect bodyguard for Saul because they both add humor to the show.

THE GOAT. Deserved way more than 12 minutes of screen time. He's just such a unique character.
Hector Salamanca

The fact that a bell is the most terrifying sound on the show should tell you something about how great Hector is.

Once he rings the bell, you know you're screwed.
Walter White Jr.

Why isn't this guy higher up? He should be number 1! Seriously, look at him! Observe how tough he is! Consider all he has gone through, and yet his spirit remains as tough as ever. He is the one who is able to hold the family together, and he's only 16!
What kind of teenager manages to do that? The White family, plus almost everyone here, must barely realize how lucky they are to have him. He is always kind and nurturing.

Perhaps the most likable and charming character in the show. He's the only one genuinely trying to be a good person and live his best life. Even though he sometimes snaps at Skyler or Walt, they usually deserve it. He's easily the best person out of the main nine characters.

The Newcomers

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Ed Galbraith
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Victor

The Contenders

Skyler White

So much to say about Skyler. The comments against her are a reflection of a double standard in gender roles. Skyler is not the perfect wife or the perfect mother. In fact, she and Walt have several aspects in common which people accept more about Walt.
Like her husband, she lies and keeps secrets. She hid the fact that she was having an affair with Ted at the same time Walt was first leading his double life as a meth cook. She has drive and initiative. She's not afraid to try dirty tricks to get her own way when she aids Walt in the money laundering operation.
She is just as manipulative and dangerous as him, though not quite as physical. She's smart, possibly smarter than him. She's definitely more logical than him and provides a good foil to Walt's increasing paranoia and delusions of grandeur. Despite all this, unlike Walt, she has more of a domestic role to fill.
On one hand, this makes her an overbearing mother, one filling a traditional role of a wife in a television series. On the other hand, her relative closeness to her son and her much more personable nature make her more redeemable than her distant yet desperate ex-husband.
Badger
Skinny Pete
Jane Margolis

She used Jesse to get high despite being over a year into rehabilitation therapy for drug use.
Jack Welker

Despite appearing less compared to other villains, Jack managed to inflict the most damage, having murdered Hank, which indirectly got Walt exposed as Heisenberg, and torturing Jesse Pinkman for six months, which caused him permanent PTSD.
This is perhaps one of the most evil characters as well, with the emotional trauma he inflicted on Jesse from his torture and from killing the love of his life, and from killing one of the people Walt cared about, which ruined his life permanently and led to both their deaths.

Despite being another short-lived primary antagonist, he did some of the most damage in the series. From killing poor Hank to murdering Jesse's second girlfriend, he was a walking pile of destruction that needed to be put down.
Krazy-8
Combo

I love Combo! I met Rodney Rush, the actor who plays him, and he is amazing as well.
Gale Boetticher

By far the most missed character upon his death. I personally relate to that character, and seeing him die struck me hard.

Gale is just like me. He's my favorite character.

Gale is the best character in the worst job.
Old Joe
Steven Gomez

He must be higher in the ranking!
Tortuga
Tyrus Kitt
Andrea Cantillo
Patrick Kuby
Elliott Schwartz