replacement TV show, the two are connected and often discussed in conversations about the greatest series.
Breaking Bad includes one of Bryan Cranston's best roles as Walter White, the complex protagonist who rises to the top of the drug trade throughout the seasons of Breaking Bad. White is an incredibly dynamic and riveting character to watch onscreen, bringing the audience into his world and making them care about him, even when he crosses the line into unforgivable territory. If Affleck enjoys watching White's rise and fall on Breaking Bad, it isn't surprising that the series he ranks above all others is a clear precursor to Breaking Bad.
Ben Affleck Considers The Sopranos The Greatest TV Show Of All Time
The Actor Has Stated That This TV Show Is The Best There Is
Affleck has discussed his love for The Sopranos in an interview with Jon Bernthal, opening up about his go-to TV series (via YouTube). Though Bernthal is the first to mention The Sopranos as an unmatched TV series, Affleck immediately agrees, and the pair commiserate about their love for the iconic show. While almost everyone has heard The Sopranos mentioned as an all-time great series, the show isn't overhyped and deserves all the praise that it's received over the years. The creator, David Chase, crafted an unforgettable world.
There are many episodes of The Sopranos that are nearly perfect, prioritizing character development while building a gripping plot that's impossible to look away from. James Gandolfini, the actor who played Tony Soprano and made The Sopranos what it is, is a huge reason why audiences keep returning to the series today. As a performer, it's possible that Affleck has looked to great actors like Gandolfini and learned from their work, as Affleck has taken on plenty of morally dubious characters himself, like Tony Soprano.
Breaking Bad Is Ben Affleck's Second Favorite TV Show
Breaking Bad Still Holds A Special Place In Affleck's Heart
Since both Breaking Bad and The Sopranos center on antiheroes and revolve around crime, violence, and the characters' descent into unforgivable territory, they share many fans. Within prestige TV, series like The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and pretty much anything that touches upon unexpected protagonists are sure to draw attention. In the years since The Sopranos and Breaking Bad premiered, writers and showrunners have been able to follow their example and subvert audience expectations since these projects are so popular and widely discussed.
The Sopranos' True Successor Didn't Air On HBO, And It Changed Television For The Better
While there have been many TV shows that attempt to capture the success and magic of The Sopranos, only one series has lived up to its legacy.
For audiences who are discovering both The Sopranos and Breaking Bad for the first time, it might not be as clear how much The Sopranos influenced almost every series that followed it. For Affleck, the trajectory is clear, as he was able to watch the shows while they were airing and experience the cultural shift they sparked. It's clear why actors, audiences, and critics keep referring to these series as the best, as the quality and longevity speak for themselves.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Breaking Bad (2008–2013) |
96% |
97% |
It's Hard To Argue Against Ben Affleck's Top 2 Favorite Shows
They're Two Of The Greatest Shows Of All Time
In the era of peak TV, Breaking Bad was a worthy successor to The Sopranos, and it's the first series that Affleck mentions after agreeing with Bernthal that The Sopranos is the greatest of all time. Bernthal brings The Wire into the conversation in the same interview, and the show must be even more special to him, considering he starred in We Own This City in 2022. The Wire definitely belongs in the same conversation as Breaking Bad and The Sopranos as the love for these projects is universal.
Breaking Bad wouldn't exist without The Sopranos paving the way for antihero-driven television
Though Bernthal is right to mention The Wire as another iconic addition to the TV sphere, it makes sense that Affleck would have such an enduring love for both Breaking Bad and The Sopranos. The shows have a lot in common, as Breaking Bad wouldn't exist without The Sopranos paving the way for antihero-driven television and reigniting interest in shows that tackle complex moralities and criminal empires. Breaking Bad serves a different purpose than The Sopranos, focusing more on the drug trade and Walt's enormous changes, as Tony was always going down his dark path.
Breaking Bad
- Release Date
- 2008 - 2013-00-00
- Network
- AMC
- Showrunner
- Vince Gilligan
Cast
Walter White
Jesse Pinkman
WHERE TO WATCH
- Directors
- Vince Gilligan, Michelle Maclaren
- Writers
- Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, Vince Gilligan, George Mastras, Moira Walley-Beckett, Sam Catlin, Thomas Schnauz
- Franchise(s)
- Breaking Bad
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