Bryan Cranston weighs in on Breaking Bad and Malcolm in the Middle fan theory

Some people have suggested the two series could share more than a star

Bryan Cranston has offered his verdict on a fan theory which seeks to connect the events of Breaking Bad with Malcolm in the Middle.

Cranston starred as comical patriarch Hal in Malcolm in the Middle from 2000 to 2006, before playing calculating methamphetamine cook Walter White in Breaking Bad from 2008 to 2013.

Speaking to Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Cranston was asked about the theory, which follows on from the Breaking Bad finale in which Walter meets his end.

“There’s a popular Breaking Bad theory – I just wanted your take – a lot of fans are saying that Walter White did not die in the finale,” said Fallon. “He actually survived and got a new identity and just became your character in Malcolm in the Middle. So Breaking Bad is just a prequel to Malcolm in the Middle.

“I’m not at liberty to disclose that kind of information without security clearance,” joked Cranston, before saying: “I think it’s fun. I don’t know. No, Walter White is definitely dead. He’s dead, he’s dead, he’s dead.”

Cranston briefly appeared in the Breaking Bad spin-off film El Camino last year, which focused on the exploits of Walter’s sidekick Jessie Pinkman (Aaron Paul) after the series’ conclusion.

The actor also returned to Malcolm in the Middle, to participate in a cast table read held over Zoom.

On The Tonight Show, Cranston also spoke about his recent experience after contracting Covid-19, describing the symptoms as “extreme exhaustion”, “body aches” and “a little dry cough”.