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AMC's 'Breaking Bad' tops TV drama ratings, season four announced

By April MacIntyre Jun 14, 2010, 16:11 GMT

03/19/2010 - Aaron Paul, Vince Gilligan and Bryan Cranston - AMC\'s "Breaking Bad" RV Tour Ends in Times Square - Times Square, Military Plaza - New York City, NY, USA © Jakes Van Der Watt / PR Photos

"Breaking Bad" is a top drama on smallscreen, one that Monsters and Critics has consistently honored in our annual end of year list since the show began in 2008.

“Breaking Bad” is filmed on location in Albuquerque, NM.

AMC announced the renewal of its Emmy Award-winning series “Breaking Bad” for a fourth season, continuing the network's momentum in delivering the best original storytelling on television.

Showrunner Vince Gilligan (“The X-Files”) weaves a noir tinged drama - the story of a desperate man who turns to a life of crime to secure his family’s financial security.

“Breaking Bad’s” first two seasons awarded Bryan Cranston the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, which marked the only time an actor from basic cable has ever been recognized with back-to-back Emmy Awards. 

Last night, AMC premiered the final episode from season three. Household ratings are 20% stronger than season two and season three is delivering 18% more total viewers and over 30% more adults 18-34 than last season. 

“AMC’s ‘Breaking Bad’ is one of the most layered and intense dramas on television today,” said Joel Stillerman, Senior Vice President of original programming, production and digital content. “The critical acclaim and strong audience growth we’ve seen in season three reinforce that this is the kind of exceptional original storytelling AMC has become known for providing to audiences.  Vince Gilligan and his team deliver bold storylines that truly push the psychic envelope and create a mesmerizing, exhilarating television experience.  We look forward to an incredible fourth season.”

"Through its captivating storytelling, inspired performances and breathtaking visuals, 'Breaking Bad' delivers on all levels and it's a show we're very proud to have in our portfolio," said Zack Van Amburg, President, programming for Sony Pictures Television.

“Breaking Bad’s” third second season premiered on Sunday, March 21 to the highest ratings ever for the series. Variety “qualified ‘Bad’ as one of TV’s best dramas.” Newsday said, “this show - still TV's best - remains utterly true to itself.” TV Squad heralded, “all things considered, AMC has a lot to be celebrating. Both ‘Mad Men’ and ‘Breaking Bad’ are two of the best -- no, they are the best -- shows on television.”  “The writing is among the very elite in television,” according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The cast:

“Breaking Bad” stars 2008 and 2009 Emmy Award-winner Bryan Cranston as Walter White; Emmy nominated Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman; Anna Gunn as Skyler White; Dean Norris as Hank Schrader; Betsy Brandt as Marie Schrader; RJ Mitte as Walter, Jr; Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman; Giancarlo Esposito as Gus Fring; and Jonathan Banks as Mike. 

The premise: 

“Breaking Bad” follows protagonist Walter White, a milquetoast high school chemistry teacher who lives in New Mexico with his wife and teenage son who has cerebral palsy.  White is diagnosed with Stage III cancer and given a prognosis of two years left to live.  With a new sense of fearlessness based on his medical prognosis, and a desire to gain financial security for his family, White chooses to enter a dangerous world of drugs and crime and ascends to power in this world. The series explores how a fatal diagnosis such as White’s releases a typical man from the daily concerns and constraints of normal society and follows his transformation from mild-mannered family man to a kingpin of the drug trade.