Perhaps the most infamous tourist attractions in Albuquerque are those related to the filming locations of the crime-drama tv series, “Breaking Bad.”
“Breaking Bad” is a fictional tv series about an Albuquerque High School science teacher named Walter White who begins cooking and distributing meth with a former student, Jesse Pinkman to support his family after White was diagnosed with lung cancer.
White runs into complicated choices as his business grows and he eventually becomes addicted to the act of committing crime and getting away with it.
Director Vince Gilligan recalls the first idea of Walter White coming from a conversation between him and a friend from college. The two talked about not being able to find work after graduation, and joked about buying an RV and cooking meth in it themselves.
In a 2023 interview with Far Out Magazine, Gilligan explained that the idea of a “bland” character slowly turning into a “bad guy” intrigued him.
Gillligan enhanced the unique culture of Albuquerque because of the authentically personal characters and cinematography found in the “Breaking Bad” universe. He does this by immersing himself in the city to capture the environment of Albuquerque.
During a 2018 conference with the University of New Mexico Honors College, Gilligan spoke about “Breaking Bad,” saying that it is only when you go into the streets of Albuquerque, “that you really see all the unique character and culture this city has to offer.”
Characters on the show might often remind you of someone that you interacted with at work, the store or just passing by. Businesses you’ve driven by throughout your whole life may even be some of the most frequent locations in the series.
Whether you've passed by these places throughout your life without thinking anything of them, or if you’ve endeavored on your own self-guided tour of the locations, the legacy of Breaking Bad is prevalent across Albuquerque culture.
Breaking Bad resonates differently with every resident of New Mexico, but it is undeniable that the depiction of the Albuquerque lifestyle is more often spot on than not.
Maybe you've gotten the question, “Isn’t that where Breaking Bad happened?” after you’ve told someone you’re from Albuquerque.
People associate the series with the city of Albuquerque because the culture is always prevalent, but it never takes focus away from the one of a kind story about the White family, even years after the end of the series.
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Whether you watch the show to see how your own city is portrayed on-screen, or if the drama of the White family is what reels you back for more episodes, Breaking Bad is a great show to watch to understand more about Albuquerque culture.
Lexis Lovato is a freelance reporter with the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @lovatolexis
