Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad is usually hailed as certainly one of the best TV shows of all time. The enduring crime drama has won sixteen Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, amongst quite a few other accolades. The show features Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul within the lead roles of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, so naturally, the narrative revolves around them.
But there may be one character who deserves way more credit than she ever received – Skyler White, portrayed brilliantly by Anna Gunn. With the advantage of hindsight, it’s clear that Skyler White’s decisions, emotional strength, and tragic character arc make her certainly one of the true cornerstones of Breaking Bad.
The Show’s Moral Compass
In the ultimate season, Walter White justifies his actions by claiming he did every little thing to secure his family’s financial future. Nonetheless, he later admits that he did it for himself. Jesse Pinkman, too, is portrayed as morally ambiguous, and it’s only later that he tries to seek out redemption. In contrast, the show’s true moral compass is Skyler White, and that is certainly one of the most important reasons she deserves way more credit than she ever received. Unlike most characters in Breaking Bad, she consistently questioned and challenged Walter White’s criminal actions across all five seasons.
Aaron Paul watching Anna Gunn’s last day of filming Breaking Bad pic.twitter.com/LLCO7EX0BA
— Saul Goodman ⚖ (@itsSaulGoodman) June 18, 2025
A Hidden Mastermind & A Financial Genius
Many viewers consider Walter White is the show’s only mastermind resulting from his successful establishment of his meth empire and his ability to outsmart Gus Fring. Nonetheless, Skyler White is the series’ hidden strategist. She is portrayed as a financial wizard who laundered her husband’s drug money by buying the automotive wash and even helped her employer, Ted, clear his tax backlog using her sharp intelligence and astute skills.
Breaking Bad … Skyler negotiating with Bogdan to purchase the automotive wash <3 pic.twitter.com/ZN8l9cxKIY
— Buck614 (@buck614) November 9, 2025
A Fierce Protector of Her Kids
Skyler White agrees to assist launder Walter White’s drug money only to guard her children, Walter Jr. and Holly. She reluctantly becomes a partner in his criminal activities, yet never stops fearing the danger that surrounds them. At one point, she fiercely confronts her husband and even sends the youngsters away to maintain them secure.
Who’s seen Breaking Bad. I have been watching. 1st time. I prefer it. Here’s ANNA GUNN pic.twitter.com/eXgvQNWLi4
— FAMOUS WOMEN (@Kevin10919728) August 8, 2023
She Was Never the Villain Some Fans Thought
Although she was never the show’s villain, Skyler White received an excellent deal of negative attention and fan backlash because her character was often at odds with the much-loved and empathetic protagonist, Walter White. Because of this, and since Anna Gunn played the role with such realism, the actress also faced unwarranted negativity from some viewers. Much of it’s because Breaking Bad is told largely from Walter White’s perspective.
Is the hate on Skyler White justified? pic.twitter.com/6dVq7BMx3f
— Breaking Bad Day by day (@BreakingBad_) October 31, 2025
A Tragic Character Arc
Right from Season 1, when she learns about her husband’s terminal illness, to returning to her old job to administer the family’s funds, Skyler White’s journey is marked by constant hardship. By the fifth and final season, she is left alone along with her two kids while a nationwide manhunt is underway for Walter White. Within the heartbreaking end, she even refuses to take the cash from the husband she now fears and sure despises. Despite every little thing, she stays resilient and powerful.
Breaking Bad – Season 05 Episode 14 – Frame 2313 of 2834 pic.twitter.com/eq6w9JjgBw
— Every Higher Call Saul Frame In Order (@breaking_frames) June 2, 2023
Skyler White is undoubtedly certainly one of the best-written characters in television history and deserves way more credit in Breaking Bad. Higher late than never, right?
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