As part of their Road to the Emmy's coverage, Variety's Robert Abele focuses on one of Breaking Bad's leading contenders, Bryan Cranston. "Not many series' protagonists start with a death sentence such as lung cancer and then further threaten their lives by getting involved with violent drug dealers and lawbreaking," writes Abele. "With this character, humor comes from a different place," adds Cranston, who clearly has left his Malcolm in the Middle days behind him.

To help establish his character as a "physical specimen of life-beaten suburban anomie," Cranston tells Variety he had some help from the make-up department. "I wanted a mustache that made me feel impotent when I looked in the mirror, and I sure got it." His favorite thing about Walt? "His humanity. He's the ultimate human being, with good points and frailties."

Walt is becoming a different person, explains the actor. "It's the stories you hear about lifting the car and pulling the child out, running into a blazing fire." Walt's illegal approach might not sound as heroic but Cranston sees him as a guy providing for his family under desperate circumstances.Cranston seems more than happy to be a part of what Abele calls "AMC's original drama club." The actor says the channel is fostering creativity.