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Breaking Badis undeniably filled with talent. Be it behind the camera or in front of it, there is a reason why the series has gained the reputation it has, being one of the most critically acclaimed shows of all time. Most of the praise goes towards Bryan Cranston for his performance as Walter White.
This is not surprising considering how well he played the role, making audiences sympathize with him when he was always the most dangerous and unhinged man in any room. While Cranston’s performance does play a very big role in the series’ success, it is not the only factor.
There is one other actor who managed to control every scene that he was in. Dean Norris, who played the role of Hank Schrader, was certainly one of the highlights of the series. However, it would seem that his success in the crime-drama series has resulted in his past works being forgotten, including his small appearance inNCIS.
Breaking Bad’sSecond Danger
As soon asBryan Crantson’sWalter White decides that he is going to engage in illegal activities, he is no longer a cut-and-dry good guy. Although desperation is what pushed him to make meth, the series paints him in a positive light in the early seasons and justified his actions. Audiences got to see everything from Walter’s perspective, so his actions were just.
However, when one takes a step back, they very quickly realize that things aren’t as they seem. This can perfectly be seen in the character of Hank Schrader. When fans are first introduced to Dean Norris’ character, he almost seems like a bully, exuding toxic masculinity while having nothing of substance to offer in comparison to Walter. That is until viewers begin to dig deeper.
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The evident difference between how Hank is portrayed when Walter is around him and when he isn’t does not seem unintentional, with his motivations being the exact opposite of Walter’s in some ways. Due to this, Norris’ character has become a fan favorite, especially because of his actions in the later seasons.
There is no denying that Norris’ performance is a very big factor in the creation of such a character, being able to perfectly capture the essence of conflicting moralities. However, it would seem that the actor’s performance as this character became a little too memorable, outshining his past works.
Dean Norris Had a Small Role inNCIS
While it is a fact that Dean Norris’ role as Hank Schrader inBreaking Badwas memorable in every definition of the word, many may not remember that the star was in another iconic series,NCIS.The series is known for having quite a lot of extras over the years. While some end up being memorable, some have such small roles that they can be missed.
Four years before starring in the beloved series, Norris played a small role in the first season ofNCIS. However, it would seem that regardless of what series he is in, Norris cannot outrun his career in law enforcement. Starring as Gunnery Sergeant Vestman, he was in the twelfth episode of the series, titledMy Other Left Foot.
“It was so strange… came out of nowhere”: The Most Chilling Death in Bob Odenkirk’s Better Call Saul Puts Hank’s Breaking Bad Demise to Shame
The actor appeared towards the end of the episode in the fourth act, which can make it very easy to miss him. Regardless, it is safe to say that the actor came a long way in four years, going from an extra in a series that was just starting out at the time to one of the most beloved characters in one of the biggest shows of all time.
Ananya Godboley
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2219
Ananya Godboley is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows, with over 2,000 articles published. She has been an entertainment journalist for the past two years. Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in psychology from K.R. Mangalam University, Ananya also likes to fangirl as a full-time job. She covers news and analyses on anything from Rick and Morty to Hannibal and even Arcane. In between these lines, she also enjoys superheroes and Taylor Swift.A philosophy enthusiast, Ananya enjoys digging deeper into the media she consumes, trying to understand the root of her favorite characters' behavior.
