Breaking Bad's Krysten Ritter Says Working With Aaron Paul Was Her Favorite Part Of The Show
Krysten Ritter only appeared in nine episodes over two seasons in "Breaking Bad," but she quickly became one of the show's most important — and eventually consequential — characters.
Ritter portrayed Jane Margolis, who becomes a problem for Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and his meth operation when she becomes increasingly involved with his partner, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul). Sadly, Jane's story ends in tragedy as her relationship with Jesse only heightens their separate addictions, and White goes down one of his darkest paths to attempt to eliminate what he sees as a pressing threat. Jane's death was never lost on Jesse as the series continued, and Ritter even popped up in the sequel movie focused on Pinkman after the events of "Breaking Bad" titled "El Camino."
Jane's death marked a major turning point for Jesse. It also completed much of White's transformation from a teacher dying of cancer trying to make money for his family into a ruthless drug kingpin. White lets Jane die toward the end of "Breaking Bad" Season 2 when he finds her and Jesse both lost in a drug haze. According to Ritter, the best part about taking part in the critically-acclaimed crime drama was working with Paul.
Krysten Ritter called Breaking Bad the best job ever
In a 2012 interview with The AV Club promoting her short-lived series "Don't Trust the B In Apartment 23," Krysten Ritter called Jane on "Breaking Bad" the best role she'd ever had, praising creator Vince Gilligan's writing and control of the story and tone for the complex series. The aspect of filming she enjoyed the most, though, was acting alongside Aaron Paul.
"I think the best part was working with Aaron Paul. I love him. I just want to eat him up. [Laughs.] He's such a great, giving actor, and I would love to work with him again. It's funny, 'cause that show seems to be just as popular as ever," the actress said.
In a 2021 interview with Entertainment Weekly about filming Jane's "Breaking Bad" death scene, Ritter said the weight of the scene didn't hit her until she was in makeup and filming the scene with Paul and Bryan Cranston.
"They built a cast for my chest so that Aaron Paul can really be pounding on my chest. And then Bryan, after the take, you just see him sitting quietly in the corner. It was intense, and I will never forget it," she said.