From one acting legend to another.
With TV series being pumped out 24/7 across numerous streaming services, you can imagine that it’s a lot harder for an actor nowadays to impress, stand out, and hold the attention of viewers on the small screen.
However, every now and again, there will be a standout show or performance that restores your faith that quality sit-down television still exists.
This was the case for Bryan Cranston, who took the world by storm for his performance in AMC’s Breaking Bad series as the infamous Walter White, and it seems he also captivated the attention of none other than Sir Anthony Hopkins for his talents.
In fact, the Silence of the Lambs actor was so impressed that he took the time to sit down and write Cranston a lengthy email to let him know immediately after finishing the hit series.
“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,” Sir Hopkins began.
“I have never watched anything like it. Brilliant!”
The Red Dragon star continued to say that there is ‘so much smoke blowing and sickening bulls**t in this business,’ adding that he had ‘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 end is (that overused word) awesome.”
Sir Hopkins applauded the show’s ability to go from ‘black comedy’ and transcend into a ‘labyrinth of blood, destruction, and hell.’
He also took the time to ask Cranston to extend his admiration to cast members Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Aaron Paul, Betsy Brandt, R.J. Mittie, Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, and Steven Michael Quezada, as well as everyone else who he says gave ‘master classes of performance.’
The Father actor thanked the Malcolm and The Middle alum for ‘restoring his confidence’ and described him and his co-stars as ‘the best actors’ he has ever seen.
“That may sound like a good lung 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,” he concluded his letter.
Cranston, in 2023, reflected on how it felt to receive such praise from a renowned actor like Sir Anthony Hopkins.
The Emmy-winning actor admitted it was hard not to be ‘starstruck’ by the veteran actor.
“He just loved Breaking Bad and thought it was phenomenal, and I was so touched by it,” Cranston told PEOPLE earlier this year.
Hopkins and Cranston eventually met in person, along with the show’s creator, Vince Gilligan.
“I’m sitting there talking to one of the greatest actors ever and just in awe,” he confessed.
“You try not to be starstruck, and you also don’t want to be a fanboy and say, ‘And then what about this movie? And then what about that movie?'” he adds. “You want to be able to have a decent conversation. So it’s kind of nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time.”
Was Breaking Bad the pinnacle of television shows? Will we ever have a show as good as it? Myself and Sir Anthony Hopkins won’t hold our breath.
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