The X-Files to Breaking Bad: Vince Gilligan's Journey in TV Creation
"Breaking Bad" is often compared to "The Sopranos" for their mix of crime drama and dark comedy, featuring antiheroes who are suburban dads and crime bosses. Bryan Cranston has credited Tony Soprano as a key influence on his portrayal of Walter White. However, the show that played a more pivotal role in the creation of "Breaking Bad" was "The X-Files." Vince Gilligan, the creator of "Breaking Bad," honed his screenwriting skills on the sci-fi procedural and even wrote episodes for the show. Gilligan's experience on "The X-Files" laid the foundation for "Breaking Bad."
After the end of "The X-Files," Gilligan faced challenges pitching new shows, including one called "A.M.P.E.D." co-written with Frank Spotnitz. Despite being produced for Spike TV in 2007, the pilot for "A.M.P.E.D." was not picked up for a full series. The show would have been set in Minneapolis and followed two detectives, played by Lee Tergesen and Tony Curran, dealing with a virus that caused genetic mutations and destructive behavior.
While "Pluribus," Gilligan's latest series, also explores the effects of a virus, it takes a different approach from "A.M.P.E.D." The virus in "Pluribus" creates a blissful hive mind among those infected, contrasting with the aggression-inducing virus in "A.M.P.E.D." Gilligan discussed the differences between the two shows in an interview, shedding light on his creative process and the inspiration behind "Pluribus."