Top 10 Most Loved Characters from the Legendary Breaking Bad Series

Hank Schrader is the brother-in-law of Walter White (Hank's wife is Walter's sister) and works for the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration). Although he often cracks crude jokes, Hank is a kind-hearted individual who supports Walter's family without expecting anything in return. Due to their close relationship, Hank always viewed Walter as a mild-mannered, good-natured teacher, which led him to never suspect that his brother-in-law was secretly a drug kingpin.

Hank is most beloved by fans for his impressive investigative skills and his ability to take down criminals. He was the one who shot and killed the ruthless Tuco Salamanca, saving Walter White in the process. He also single-handedly eliminated the twin assassins sent by the Mexican Cartel. Later, when faced with imminent death, Hank never surrendered and faced his fate with dignity and pride. His death remains one of the most heart-wrenching and mourned moments of the series.

Portrayed by: Dean Norris
Number of Appearances: 62
Famous Quote: "If you're always around him (Walter White), how can you not see that he's a criminal?"

When it comes to the most beloved characters in the legendary series Breaking Bad, Saul Goodman is a name that certainly cannot be missed. Saul Goodman is a clever and somewhat shady lawyer who first appears in the middle of Season 2. Initially, he’s hired by Walter White to handle the case of a drug dealer caught by the authorities. Over time, however, Saul becomes closer to Walter, offering invaluable legal advice, covering up crimes, laundering money, building ties with kingpin Gus Fring, and even helping Walter plan his escape. Although Saul isn't directly involved with the criminal organization, his contributions were key to Walter's rise to power. When everything eventually unravels, Saul is forced to disappear and assume a new identity.

Saul Goodman is a fan favorite for his humor, sharp wit, and his unique brand of legal expertise. He can assist criminals, but he always adheres to one rule—never betray his clients. His character is so beloved that AMC created a spin-off series, *Better Call Saul*, which explores his life before Walter White, when Saul was still a “good guy.”

Portrayed by: Bob Odenkirk
Number of Appearances: 42
Famous Quote: "I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy who can get this done."

Steven Gomez is Hank’s loyal partner, appearing from the very first episode all the way to the series finale. While not a central figure and often playing a supporting role to Hank, Gomez still showcases a distinct personality and set of qualities that make him memorable.

Originally from Mexico, Gomez works for the DEA, fighting against the very Cartel members from his homeland. He is kind-hearted, level-headed, and fiercely loyal, but also enjoys playful banter with Hank, often delivering witty comebacks to Hank’s jokes. In the final season, Gomez plays a key role in aiding Hank against Walter White, ultimately sacrificing himself alongside Hank.

Portrayed by: Steven Michael Quezada
Number of Appearances: 34
Famous Quote: "If I’m a compatriot of Tuco, then you (Hank) must be a compatriot of Charlie Manson."

Tio Salamanca is one of the most distinctive characters in the series. A former Mexican Cartel gangster, Hector is now elderly, paralyzed, and unable to speak. He first appears as the uncle of the violent Tuco Salamanca, showing his deep loyalty to the Cartel and refusal to cooperate with the authorities. As the series progresses, Hector becomes more involved in the plot, playing a critical role. Walter White forms an unlikely alliance with Tio to plot the assassination of Gus Fring.

Though Hector had a personal vendetta against Walter White, his hatred for Gus Fring ran much deeper. Gus was responsible for killing Hector’s Cartel boss and for the injuries that left Hector paralyzed. Walter manipulates Tio into becoming a suicide bomber, ultimately leading to Gus Fring's death—the greatest adversary Walter ever faced.

Portrayed by: Mark Margolis
Number of Appearances: 8
Famous Quote: <Bell Ringing> Ding...ding...ding

Gus Fring is the largest drug kingpin in the series and stands as one of the greatest antagonists in the show’s history. Gus first enters the story when Walter White needs a large-scale distributor for his drug empire, and Gus is looking to expand his business. The two initially form an alliance, but tensions over Jesse and Walter’s insubordination lead to a fracture in their relationship. Gus eventually realizes Walter’s ambition and danger, and starts plotting to eliminate him.

Gus masterfully maintains a facade of a successful, community-oriented businessman, never showing fear of the Mexican Cartel. He even travels to Mexico to eliminate the Cartel boss, avenging his own past and securing his position as the dominant drug lord. However, Gus’ fatal flaw was his decision to work with someone as ambitious as Walter White. Ultimately, Walter devises a plan to bring Gus’s reign to a painful and brutal end.

Portrayed by: Giancarlo Esposito
Number of Appearances: 26
Famous Quote: "Never make the same mistake twice."

Tuco Salamanca may not have appeared for long, but his chaotic, unpredictable nature and ruthless gangster persona earned him a place in fans’ hearts. Tuco took over from Krazy-8 as the local drug kingpin.

When Walter White and Jesse first met Tuco, he brutally beat Jesse, but after a dramatic retaliation from Walter, Tuco agreed to collaborate with them. However, the alliance quickly soured, and Tuco kidnapped both Walter and Jesse, planning to take them to Mexico. His reign ended when Hank shot him dead.

Portrayed by: Raymond Cruz
Number of Appearances: 4
Famous Quote: "No one sells crystal in South Valley but me, you idiot!"

Walter Junior is the son of Walter White. He is a teenager with cerebral palsy, requiring crutches to walk and unable to speak clearly. Despite his physical challenges, Walter Junior is portrayed as a mature and loving son who cares deeply for his family.

In the final season, when Walter White has fully embraced his criminal persona and engages in a fierce argument with his wife, Walter Junior steps in to protect her, even though he still loves his father. The image of a physically disabled son standing up to his father in defense of his mother became one of the most poignant moments of the show, cementing Walter Junior as a fan favorite.

Portrayed by: RJ Mitte
Number of Appearances: 62
Famous Quote: "This is the worst way to remind me of how my dad's been acting for the last year. But at least tonight, dad... you’re real."

Walter White, the central character of the show, starts as a high school chemistry teacher leading a quiet, happy family life. However, his world is turned upside down when he's diagnosed with terminal cancer. Around the same time, his brother-in-law Hank, a DEA agent, takes him on a ride-along to witness a drug bust. This experience plants the seed for Walter's decision to use his chemistry knowledge to manufacture crystal meth to provide for his family after his death. Walter teams up with a former student, Jesse Pinkman, and together they enter the dangerous world of drug manufacturing. As Walter adopts the alias 'Heisenberg,' he begins his descent into crime.

The brilliance of Walter White’s character lies in his complexity. He is neither purely good nor purely evil. Viewers can empathize with him as a devoted teacher and family man facing a brutal diagnosis, but they can also be repelled by his transformation into a ruthless drug kingpin, willing to commit murder in the pursuit of power.

What makes Walter White truly captivating is his intellect. As a chemist, he creates the highly coveted blue meth, which becomes a global sensation. His use of scientific knowledge, combined with his sharp strategic mind, allows him to escape dangerous situations time and time again.

For these reasons, Walter White is undoubtedly one of the most beloved characters in Breaking Bad.

Portrayed by: Bryan Cranston
Number of Appearances: 62
Famous Quote: "I'm not in danger, Skyler. I am the danger. A guy opens his door and gets shot and you think that of me? No. I am the one who knocks."

Jesse Pinkman is every bit as beloved as Walter White, and for good reason. Initially, Jesse is portrayed as a rebellious and aimless young man, someone with little ambition beyond drugs and petty crime. He’s awkward, impulsive, and often clueless, making him the comic relief of the series with his frequent use of phrases like 'yo' and 'bitch'.

However, as the series progresses, Jesse proves himself to be more than just a typical 'bad boy'. Walter White comes to see him as not only a business partner but also a surrogate son. Over time, Jesse matures, coming up with clever plans to get them out of sticky situations and even demonstrating an ability to cook meth that rivals Walter’s own expertise.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of Jesse’s character arc is that, unlike Walter, he grows more compassionate and empathetic the deeper he gets into the criminal underworld. Jesse is inherently good-hearted and always cares for the innocent. His internal struggle becomes evident when he is faced with killing a young child in the final season, an act that torments him so deeply he vows to never again be involved in such crimes.

Jesse Pinkman is beloved not only for his humor and signature catchphrases, but also for his emotional depth and his unshakeable moral core, which makes his character one of the most relatable and tragic in Breaking Bad.

Portrayed by: Aaron Paul
Number of Appearances: 62
Famous Quote: "He needs me more than I need him."

Mike Ehrmantraut is introduced late in the series, making his first appearance in the final episodes of season 2 with a brief cameo, before becoming a key figure in season 3. Mike is a seasoned former cop turned enforcer and fixer for the drug kingpin Gus Fring. Despite his long history in the criminal world, Mike is characterized by his unwavering loyalty to Gus and his adherence to a strict personal code. He’s not driven by ambition like Walter White, but by a simple goal: to make money to support his granddaughter. This grounded, principled approach makes Mike one of the most beloved characters in the series.

After Gus Fring’s death, which Mike initially doesn’t realize was orchestrated by Walter White, Mike briefly teams up with Walter. However, his disillusionment with Walter’s increasingly reckless actions leads to his decision to part ways. Unfortunately, when Mike tries to leave the criminal enterprise for good, Walter betrays him, leading to Mike’s tragic death, which is considered one of the most unfortunate moments in the show. Mike also plays an important role in the prequel series Better Call Saul.

Portrayed by: Jonathan Banks
Number of Appearances: 28
Famous Quote: "He’s the problem. I’m sorry the kid (Jesse) doesn’t see it, but I see it clearly. He’s a ticking time bomb... and I’m not sticking around for the explosion."