After binge-watching all five seasons of a critically acclaimed show, Anthony Hopkins declared that it had “the best acting I have seen – ever.” From The Silence of the Lambs to The Father, many of Anthony Hopkins’ movies are well-regarded, and his performances have received considerable praise and led to award recognition. He won Academy Awards for his performances in The Silence of the Lambs and in The Father and received nominations for The Remains of the Day, Nixon, Amistad, and The Two Popes.
Hopkins has also received award recognition for his performances in several television movies and series. He won Emmy Awards for the television movies The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case and The Bunker. In more recent years, the Emmy Awards nominated him for HBO’s Westworld and Apple TV+’s Mythic Quest. Hopkins’ extensive experience and success in movies and television make him uniquely suited to recognize quality and talent when he sees it in other projects.
Anthony Hopkins Wrote Bryan Cranston A Letter After Watching All Seasons Of Breaking Bad
He Watched The Entire Show In Two Weeks
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hopkins binge-watched all seasons of Breaking Bad, and afterward, he wrote a letter (via e-mail) to Bryan Cranston. From one actor to another, Hopkins shared how much he enjoyed watching the series, which he watched in its entirety over the course of two weeks. Hopkins described the show as “brilliant,” “spectacular,” and “absolutely stunning.” He referred to Cranston’s portrayal of Walter White as “the best acting I have seen – ever” and said the story was akin to “a great Jacobean, Shakespearian or Greek Tragedy.” Check out Hopkins’ full letter to Cranston below:
Dear Mister Cranston.
I wanted to write you this email – so I am contacting you through Jeremy Barber – I take it we are both represented by UTA . Great agency.
I’ve just finished a marathon of watching “BREAKING BAD” – from episode one of the First Season – to the last eight episodes of the Sixth Season. (I downloaded the last season on AMAZON) A total of two weeks (addictive) viewing.
I have never watched anything like it. Brilliant!
Your performance as Walter White was the best acting I have seen – ever.
I know there is so much smoke blowing and sickening bull**** in this business, and I’ve sort of lost belief in anything really.
But this work of yours is spectacular – absolutely stunning. What is extraordinary, is the sheer power of everyone in the entire production. What was it? Five or six years in the making? How the producers (yourself being one of them), the writers, directors, cinematographers…. every department – casting etc. managed to keep the discipline and control from beginning to the end is (that over used word) awesome.
From what started as a black comedy, descended into a labyrinth of blood, destruction and hell. It was like a great Jacobean, Shakespearian or Greek Tragedy.
If you ever get a chance to – would you pass on my admiration to everyone – Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Aaron Paul, Betsy Brandt, R.J. Mitte, Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Steven Michael Quezada – everyone – everyone gave master classes of performance … The list is endless.
Thank you. That kind of work/artistry is rare, and when, once in a while, it occurs, as in this epic work, it restores confidence.
You and all the cast are the best actors I’ve ever seen.
That may sound like a good lung full of smoke blowing. But it is not. It’s almost midnight out here in Malibu, and I felt compelled to write this email.
Congratulations and my deepest respect. You are truly a great, great actor.
Best regards
Tony Hopkins.
Anthony Hopkins Described The Performances Of Breaking Bad’s Cast As “Master Classes”
Bryan Cranston Was Not The Only Actor Who Impressed Him
While Hopkins believed Cranston’s acting was the best he has ever seen, he was also complimentary about the rest of the cast, who all gave “master classes of performance.” He specifically named the actors who played Skyler White, Hank Schrader, Jesse Pinkman, Marie Schrader, Walter White Jr., Saul Goodman, Mike Ehrmantraut, and Steven Gomez. Walter White was the main character, but Hopkins recognized that the surrounding cast was just as integral to the show’s brilliance, as were the writers, directors, cinematographers, and those involved in all the series’ departments.
Breaking Bad Will Forever Be Remembered As One Of Television’s Greatest Shows
This Was True Before, During, And After The Release Of Better Call Saul
Hopkins’ praise was notable because it came from such an iconic actor, but he was not alone in asserting Breaking Bad as one of the all-time best television shows. The premise of a high school chemistry teacher making crystal methamphetamine after being diagnosed with cancer was a compelling hook. The riveting premise was only the beginning, though, as it went far deeper into becoming a tragic story of the protagonist becoming a villain. Cranston’s performance was unparalleled, as was Paul’s, whose portrayal of Jesse became the heart of the series.
As Hopkins noted, all the acting was phenomenal, but so was the writing and direction that came from creator and showrunner Vince Gilligan and the outstanding creative team surrounding him. Breaking Bad mastered the art of the cliffhanger and of leaving audiences wanting more, which was effective when the show was being released, and when Hopkins and countless others have since binge-watched it. Every Breaking Bad season was great and the show’s legacy was further cemented by the satisfying and universally acclaimed series finale.
Hopkins’ letter was written in 2013, which was before the spinoff series Better Call Saul debuted. Breaking Bad was already a beloved show, but Better Call Saul enriched its legacy by adding new meaning and depth in many episodes, especially where Saul, Mike, and Gus were concerned. Anthony Hopkins already knew Breaking Bad was an all-time great show, but he did not know that it would become even better, as much of the same creative team would also be involved with Better Call Saul.
