Although it’s hard to say that the heroes in the Marvel and DC Universes are villains, it’s undeniable that for a while now, antiheroes and even criminals have been popular in TV shows and movies. Breaking Bad—where a chemistry teacher with cancer tries to secure his family's future with dirty money and drugs—was just the beginning. It’s even more extreme when you consider Dexter, who was revived in recent years, a serial killer who turns his killing instincts against the "bad" guys. Moreover, the lead character in Penguin is a likable scumbag who behaves like a seasoned politician in the finale: after achieving his goal, he betrays his supporters to secure his power. Vince Gilligan, the creator of Breaking Bad, believes this is exactly why we need to stop showing such characters, as the world is currently ruled by politicians like these.
Gilligan received a lifetime achievement award (Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award) at the Writers Guild Awards on February 15. In his speech, he encouraged his peers and future talents to present positive role models to the audience, instead of glorifying antiheroes and cool villains. Of course, he acknowledged that he contributed significantly to this trend with Breaking Bad and its successful spin-off Better Call Saul.
"Obviously, I’m here today because I created Breaking Bad and its hero, Walter White. I’m proud of this character, as I am of the show. Walter White was brilliantly portrayed by Bryan Cranston. [...] Walter White [...] is one of the greatest villains of all time. But it’s also true that I’d rather be proud of creating someone who inspires people. In 2025, it’s time to say bluntly that we’re living in an era where villains—the real villains—are running wild. The bad people, who make their own rules, the bad people who, no matter what they tell us, are really doing everything just for themselves. Who am I talking about? Well, we’re in Hollywood, so [...] In our deeply divided country, it seems like there’s one thing everyone can agree on: there are too many bad guys in real life," Gilligan explained.
The writer admitted that an artist can do little to change this, as their main job is entertainment. However, he believes that as creators, they must do what they can and thinks that professionals can be most effective when they present positive role models: good guys, or bring back the classic heroes.
"Over the decades, we’ve made the villains too sexy. I really believe that. When we create unforgettable characters like Michael Corleone, Hannibal Lecter, Darth Vader, or Tony Soprano, viewers around the world take notice. They say, ‘These guys are all badasses, I want to be as cool as them!’ When this happens, fictional villains no longer stand as deterrents, even though we intended them to. God save us, they become aspirational figures. So, the world probably needs good, old-fashioned, big-generational heroes now, who give more than they take. Those who believe kindness, tolerance, and sacrifice aren’t just traits of fools," the showrunner continued.
He also pointed out that some excellent positive role models in reality today are those who heroically stood their ground during the Los Angeles fires, saving lives while risking their own—whether they were stars like Meryl Streep or ordinary people.
Gilligan is already starting to walk this path, as his upcoming Apple TV+ series, Wycaro 339, currently known by its working title, is on the horizon. Better Call Saul star Rhea Seehorn will star in the sci-fi series, which will uncover "world-shaking things." According to Gilligan, Seehorn’s character is simply not someone you could call a villain in any sense. We’ll see how interesting it turns out! The showrunner also acknowledged that it’s obviously easier to write a controversial antihero or villain. It’s a big question for us too—how exciting a character who is clearly positive can be, after all, if someone does nothing but good deeds and is morally impeccable, they might become boring in fiction, on the big screen, and on TV. Even in Invincible, the hero Mark, who aims for the same status as Superman, does things that push his character towards becoming a villain. But that’s the challenge: to create a figure who is both interesting and morally good. (Source: Variety.)
