20 TV Acting Performances That Are Totally Flawless

Fun fact: Jesse Pinkman was nearly killed off during Breaking Bad's debut season, but Aaron Paul's extraordinary performance led to Vince Gilligan keeping him around. Needless to say, this was a great move, as Walt White and Jesse's strenuous relationship forms the backbone of the show.

With Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad found one of TV's best stars. A lovable slacker, drug dealer and occasional addict, Jesse was innocent, flawed and compelling right from the off, and by the end of the show stood as Walt's biggest mistake.

Over five seasons, Jesse was betrayed, manipulated, tortured and beaten down. He killed, fought and fell in love, and Paul balanced every tragic twist and painful revelation of Jesse's arc with heart-wrenching intensity.

From the innocence of his "Yeah, science!" chant to the moment he lost his grip on reality in the final season, Aaron Paul was Breaking Bad's most likeable and dependable star, and things wouldn't have been the same without him.