Set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Breaking Bad revolves around Walter White, a struggling high school chemistry teacher with a teenage son who has cerebral palsy, and a pregnant wife, Skyler. When the already tense White is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, he breaks down and turns to a life of crime, producing and selling crystal methamphetamine with his former student, Jesse Pinkman, in a desire to secure his family's financial future while avoiding detection from his DEA agent brother-in-law, Hank. 

Breaking Bad has received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its writing and Cranston's performance on the show, and has won several Emmy Awards, including three consecutive Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series wins for Bryan Cranston as well as an Outstanding Supporting Actor win for Aaron Paul.