The TV showrunner has long been a mysterious creature. Equal parts brilliant artist and reclusive visionary, tales of their genius and creativity were told as the role exploded over the past decade. Names like David Chase and Matthew Weiner defined it, but 2013 was the year that it truly came to the front of the public consciousness. That happened by way of Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, who completed his New Mexico drug epic on his own terms and in near-perfect fashion. The final eight episodes of the show came in hot and ramped up the stakes on a weekly basis, culminating in an ending that completed the arc of Walter White and left people talking for weeks afterward. Along the way Gilligan became a bigger star than anyone in front of the camera, appearing on a weekly Insider podcast to dish on the creative process, doing countless interviews and public appearances, and engaging audiences with an openness almost never seen by executives in any field, much less television. He's now one of the hottest commodities in Hollywood, with everyone clamoring for a crack at the mind of the Southern gentleman. For now, he'll focus on bringing fans back to Albuquerque for Better Call Saul, a Breaking Bad spin-off that may be ready in time for a 2014 premiere.
Freelance writer situated on the east coast of Canada. Ten years writing pop culture, sports, news, and anything else that people will read. Follow me on Twitter @matthewjryder!
