Breaking Bad is an American crime drama television series created by Vince Gilligan that originally aired on AMC from 2008 to 2013.[1] The plot centers on Walter White, a mild-mannered high school chemistry teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who, upon receiving a diagnosis of inoperable lung cancer, partners with his former student Jesse Pinkman to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine as a means to provide financial security for his family before his death.[2][1] This decision unleashes White's latent ambition and ruthlessness, propelling him into the dangerous world of organized crime and transforming him from an ordinary man into the infamous drug lord Heisenberg.[2] Starring Bryan Cranston as White, Aaron Paul as Pinkman, Anna Gunn as White's wife Skyler, and RJ Mitte as their son Walter Jr., the series explores themes of morality, family, and the consequences of unchecked power.[1][2]Breaking Bad consists of five seasons and 62 episodes, with episode runtimes ranging from 43 to 58 minutes (typically around 47 minutes), resulting in a total runtime of approximately 49 hours (excluding commercials). The series premiered on January 20, 2008, with its pilot episode and concluded with the series finale "Felina" on September 29, 2013.[3] Produced by Sony Pictures Television, the show was filmed primarily in Albuquerque, incorporating the city's desert landscapes to enhance its neo-Western atmosphere.[2] Widely regarded as one of the greatest television series ever made, it garnered widespread critical acclaim and praise for its writing, acting, character development, moral complexity, intricate storytelling, character arcs, and cinematic production, achieving a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes across its seasons.[4] The series earned 16 Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series in 2013 and 2014, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Cranston four times (2008–2010, 2014), and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Paul three times (2010, 2012, 2014).[5][6] Its influence extends to spin-offs such as the prequel series Better Call Saul (2015–2022) and the sequel film El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019), solidifying its status as a landmark in prestige television.