Seven years after the conclusion of Breaking Bad, the six-time Emmy winner discusses his TV return.
Bryan Cranstonhas done it all during his nearly 40 years in Hollywood, including playing a judge.
Or at least he thinks he has.
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Maybe let audiences forget a bit about Walter White?BRYAN CRANSTON:That was exactly my thinking.
And I came up an arbitrary number, which I stuck to.
And that’s what I did.
Ursula Coyote/AMC
So it was kind of a mutual thought that it was for me and the audience.
[Laughs] “Haven’t I just seen him in three movies?”
Is it hard to commit to a new series following such incredible success withBreaking Bad?
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It’s almost, like, how can I ever find a job like that again?
Or can you not look at it that way?you’re able to, and you do.
It had to be the right thing, and I thinkYour Honoris the right thing.
That possibility lends itself to some really terrific drama.
No one expected that.
And all of those things are questionable in my character Michael Desiato.
So much of this series is about the lengths people will go for their children.
You ask a parent, “Would you give your life for the life of your child?”
And it’s, like, “Yes.
Yes, I would.”
If you had to be faced with that option, you would.
So if something happens to your child, it’s a piece of your heart that is broken.
That’s the depth of it.
Are you a father yet?
No, not yet.Well, you’ll see.
But on the opposite side of that coin is a vulnerability and fear that you’ve never felt before.
That’s just what parents go through.
And it’s worth it, because, ultimately, it’s a beautiful experience of human life.
But there is risk involved.
From what I’ve seen so far, there’s no traditional villain here.
The idea that anyone is one-dimensional is boring.
That’s when you go, “Oh my god, what is that guy like?!
I’m really fascinated with that.”
It’s certainly more interesting in the narrative.
Like Albuquerque onBreaking Bad, New Orleans is a vital character onYour Honor.
And there’s also an underbelly to New Orleans that can’t be denied.
And he says, “It’s New Orleans legal.”
[Laughs] You kind of get it.
Did you finish filming before the COVID shutdown?No, I’m in New Orleans now.
We have two more months of shooting.
I’m acting, producing, and directing, so I’m spinning a lot of plates now.
I think that would be something to be proud of.
You’ve had such a long career and seemingly done it all.
What is something you still want to do?
Where is your attention next?I want to rest.
[Laughs] My next project is rest.
I’m very fortunate I can determine my own future, so I will hopefully choose wisely.
I was kind of joking, but in a way kind of not.
I only want to do projects that I’m extremely passionate about; anything less than that is foolish.
So I think I might be working a little less than I normally have.
It seems to me that I have.
I don’t remember offhand.
I think they’re a better team than the Marlins, so I was surprised by that.
A film that has been talked about a lot this year was 2011’sContagion, which you starred in.
This charge is for now feeling too real for a rewatch.Guilty.
Too real and you have to watch it.
Lastly, the 2020 Emmys is charged withsnubbingBetter Call SaulstarsBob Odenkirk and Rhea Seehorn.Guilty!
