Reflecting on the backlash that Breaking Bad character, Skyler White (Anna Gunn), show creator Vince Gilligan says that the character “did nothing to deserve that.”
The show followed Walter White’s (Bryan Cranston) transformation from cancer-stricken chemistry teacher to drug kingpin. The switch was understandably not supported by his wife, Skyler.
As the show progressed, viewers became particularly hostile to Skyler.
In an interview with The New Yorker about the backlash, Gilligan said: “Back when the show first aired, Skyler was roundly disliked. I think that always troubled Anna Gunn. And I can tell you it always troubled me, because Skyler, the character, did nothing to deserve that. And Anna certainly did nothing to deserve that. She played the part beautifully.”
“I realize in hindsight that the show was rigged, in the sense that the storytelling was solely through Walt’s eyes, even in scenes he wasn’t present for. Even Gus, his archenemy, didn’t suffer the animosity Skyler received. It’s a weird thing. I’m still thinking about it all these years later.”
Breaking Bad concluded in 2013 and spinoff Better Call Saul concluded August 15, 2022.
