Breaking Bad brought Walter White's story, a high school chemistry teacher turned drug lord, to life. Though fans generally have polarized opinions about most characters, Walter White is unanimously hailed as the greatest of all time (GOAT).
The character's journey begins with a terminal cancer diagnosis that forces him to secure his family's financial future by entering the drug trade. What makes him successful is his exceptional attention to detail and strategic planning that outsmart his rivals and build a drug empire from scratch.
Those who have watched Walter's effortless display of malice crave to see similar characters on-screen. We have compiled a list of eight shows that would urge you to compare their storylines with Breaking Bad's protagonist.
1) Better Call Saul
The first on the list is, obviously, the prequel to Breaking Bad: Better Call Saul. The series explores Jimmy McGill's slow transition into the morally ambiguous lawyer Saul Goodman.
Viewers should look forward to closely following Jimmy's relationship with his brother Chuck and his involvement in the Albuquerque criminal world. Fans of Breaking Bad are sure to be delighted by seeing the backstories of their beloved characters, such as Mike Ehrmantraut and Gus Fring.
2) Ozark
Marty Byrde, on Ozark, is very similar to Breaking Bad's protagonist. Marty is a financial planner and is thrust into the criminal underworld after a business deal with a Mexican drug cartel goes wrong.
For both Walter and Marty, the safety and financial security of their families drive them into the world of crime. Marty uses his financial acumen to launder money and navigate the treacherous drug trade.
Fans of Walter White will appreciate Marty’s moral descent, mirroring Walter's journey from an ordinary man to a criminal mastermind.
3) Weeds
Nancy, a suburban housewife on Weeds, starts selling marijuana to provide for her family after her husband's death. Later, she becomes entangled in a web of crime for convenience and survival.
Walter and Nancy face moral dilemmas and risky situations, but Weeds presents Nancy's story with a lighter, more comic tone than the intense drama of Breaking Bad. The viewers can compare the different approaches taken by the shows when facing similar situations.
4) Narcos
Walter White from Breaking Bad and Pablo Escobar from Narcos rise from modest beginnings to major drug lords. Escobar's story is based on true historical events and discusses his ascent from a small-time criminal to one of the most notorious drug lords in history.
Breaking Bad fans know that Walter relies on his chemistry expertise and strategic planning. However, on Narcos, they will get to see how Escobar has a ruthless ambition to rule the world of crime.
Narcos offers a high-stakes drama that matches the intensity of Breaking Bad. Viewers can look forward to a cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and drug cartels.
5) Queen of the South
Teresa Mendoza, who features in Queen of the South, matches up to Walter White. She rises from poverty to become a powerful drug queen pin. Viewers see a gradual shift in her mindset from a simple life to complex criminal operations.
Fans of Walter White will appreciate Teresa’s character because her moral complexity gets you thinking. Her journey through the drug trade paints a dark and complicated portrait that makes her worthy of watching for Breaking Bad fans.
6) El Chapo
El Chapo is a series depicting the true life story of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, who rises from modest beginnings to become a paramount drug lord. For Walter White fans, this series provides a real-world glimpse into how El Chapo navigated the path of violence and political maneuvering.
The show’s detailed portrayal of El Chapo’s rise and fall parallels Walter’s fictional journey. One can mirror the intensity and operational intricacies in El Chapo's real life to those of Walter White's fictional character.
7) Snowfall
Snowfall tells the story of Franklin Saint, a young drug dealer in 1980s Los Angeles, who starts at the bottom and builds a big cocaine business. Like Walter White, Franklin uses his smarts and planning to grow his operation.
Both characters face big problems and tough choices as they climb the criminal ladder. They want to make their lives better and help their families. People who like Walter White will enjoy Snowfall because Franklin Saint strategically navigates the drug trade, growing his criminal enterprise step by step.
The show looks at the early days of crack cocaine and shows how Franklin moves up and deals with personal issues. This is similar to Walter's journey in the meth world.
8) The Wire
The Wire looks at how the drug trade affects different parts of society. Walter White's tale focuses on one person and place, while The Wire takes a broader view of how drug dealing changes Baltimore's schools, police, and government. Characters in both stories make plans and face tough choices in the drug world.
Fans who enjoy Walter White's story will find The Wire gripping because it digs deep into the drug trade's big problems and builds rich characters. The show connects different parts of society and shows what happens when drugs take over, creating a world as intense and gray as Walter White's meth business.
Conclusion
Fans of Walter White from Breaking Bad will enjoy these eight shows, which tell gripping stories of protagonists who, like him, use their smarts and cunning to survive in the dangerous world of organized crime. Each show gives its own spin on the path from regular life to criminal genius.
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