As it turns out,Breaking Badhas a surprising connection to Netflix’s hit seriesYou. While actor Aaron Paul ultimately portrayed Jesse Pinkman for the series,Youstar Penn Badgley nearly had the role in the bag.
Breaking Badis one of the most critically acclaimed shows of all time.Breaking Badfollows Walter White(Bryan Cranston), a high school chemistry teacher who’s diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Jesse Pinkman, a former student, becomes his partner in the meth business, where Walter hopes to make enough money to leave his family taken care of.You, meanwhile, stars Badgley as Joe Goldberg, a serial killer/stalker who’s obsessed with finding ‘love.’
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To promoteYouseason 4, Badgley was interviewed byBuzzFeed. During the interview, Badgley was asked about roles he nearly had a hand in, and he was candid about losing out onBreaking Bad.“One I got so close on wasBreaking Bad. It was between me and Aaron Paul,” Badgley said. “We tested. And actually, that was the best television script I’d read, at that point. That was the one that got away.”
Ultimately, Badgley, rumored to beunder consideration for Reed Richards, had to screen test forBreaking Badand lost out on the role. On the upside for the actor, he was offered his role inGossip Girlat the same time - which he was specifically sought out for - and he ended up starring in that show for six seasons between 2007 and 2012. Paul starred inBreaking Badfor five seasons between 2008 and 2013.
Ironically enough, Badgley’s current show,You,recently lost out on casting an actress for a key role.Wednesdaystar Jenna Ortega was supposed to return inYouseason 4 but had to skip out on the season due to scheduling conflicts with the former series. Ortega had previously been inYouduring its second season, where she played Ellie Alves. The character would have made her return in season 4 had the timing allowed for it.
Losing out on roles is a common experience in Hollywood. Many actors are offered now-iconic roles only to lose out on them. Sometimes, it just might be for the best.Paul only recently finished playing Jesse Pinkmanfollowing a cameo inBetter Call Saul(a prequel toBreaking Bad), and all these years later, his return still left fans clamoring for more.
Youseason 4 part 2 will be released on June 23, 2025, onNetflix.
