Throughout the captivating run of ‘Breaking Bad,’ the AMC series introduced a myriad of unsavory characters, from drug dealers to murderers, as it chronicled the descent of Walter White (Bryan Cranston) into a darker and more dangerous path. However, among the show’s vast cast, few elicited as much vitriol as Walter’s own wife, Skyler White.
Initially, Skyler faced an unprecedented torrent of hate from viewers, primarily expressed through online forums. The actress who portrayed her, Anna Gunn, recently reflected on this phenomenon in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. She recalled the alarming nature of the hate she received, which at times escalated to threats of violence. In response to this torrent of negativity, Gunn penned an op-ed for The New York Times titled ‘I Have a Character Issue,’ in which she addressed the misogynistic undertones of the hate directed towards her character.
In the years since ‘Breaking Bad’ concluded, attitudes towards Skyler have undergone a seismic shift. Gunn attributes this change to the broader societal shifts that have occurred in the intervening years. She notes that viewers are now more likely to view Skyler as a complex and sympathetic character, recognizing the challenges and struggles she faced as Walter’s actions spiraled out of control. Even ‘Breaking Bad’ creator Vince Gilligan has expressed regret over the hate directed towards Skyler, acknowledging that both the character and the actress who portrayed her deserved better.
Gunn acknowledges that the hate she received at the time was a difficult experience, but she ultimately found solace in writing her op-ed and speaking out against the misogyny that fueled it. She also addressed the possibility of appearing in the ‘Breaking Bad’ spinoff ‘Better Call Saul,’ stating that while she was not particularly afraid of facing backlash, the writers ultimately decided against including Skyler in the show’s narrative.
