Every once in a while, a show can come along and take control of the small screen in ways that few others could dream of doing. These shows wind up catching on with fans and generating a ton of hype while forging a unique legacy that can stand the test of time. Whether it is a comedy like The Office or a reality show like The Bachelor, these shows are a rare commodity.

Breaking Bad became one of the greatest shows in television history during its prime, and Aaron Paul starred as Jesse Pinkman on the show. Though he was a perfect fit for the character, Paul’s audition nearly cost him the gig.

Let’s see what happened when Aaron Paul auditioned for Jesse Pinkman.

Paul Landed An Audition For Jesse Pinkman

Aaron Paul Jesse Pinkman
Via screenrant.com

It’s impossible to know which brand new show is going to break the mold and become a gigantic hit on the small screen, but AMC must have known that they were sitting on a gold mine with Breaking Bad. They knew that the casting had to be perfect, and early on, the network brought in Aaron Paul to audition for Jesse Pinkman.

Prior to scoring the audition for the character, Paul was not exactly a known or bankable commodity. Even though he had been cutting his teeth in film and television for years, he had yet to find the role that was going to really change the game for himself. According to IMDb, Paul had appeared in projects like Melrose Place, The X-Files, Van Wilder, and even Mission: Impossible III. Despite this, the actor was struggling to make ends meet and needed this gig badly.

In an interview, Paul would say, “When I got Breaking Bad I was at the — I mean really the lowest point in my career just in terms of finances. I just didn’t know where my next check was gonna come in and how he’s gonna pay my bills.”

The audition was supposed to be a huge opportunity for Paul, but instead of seizing the moment, he nearly blew his big break.

Related: By Order Of The Peaky Blinders, Aaron Paul Is An Honorary Member Of The Shelby Family

Things Went Terribly Wrong

Aaron Paul Jesse Pinkman
Via YouTube.com

Bad auditions happen to even the biggest stars in Hollywood, and few are able to bounce back and still land a major role after bombing during this process. Unfortunately, Aaron Paul laid an egg when he auditioned for Jesse Pinkman.

In a YouTube interview, Paul revealed that we wound up apologizing during his audition. According to Paul, he said, “Yeah, I apologize. I go ‘I’m sorry this is terrible.’”

“I mean the pressure was on. A room full of people, stadium seating and you have to, you know, prove yourself. And I do it and that’s the audition you see; me like apologizing like ‘oh my god I just f****d this up. And so I walk out and I’m just biting my nails. So I’m desperate I mean I really have no money I don’t have any money and so it wasn’t just that I was in love with the material, I also I had to have this happen and the cash,” he continued.

One thing that Paul had in his corner was the support of Vince Gilligan, who created the series. Despite failing to make magic happen during his audition, Paul’s connection to Vince and the things he did right during the audition changed everything for the performer.

Related: How Much Did Aaron Paul And Bryan Cranston Earn Per Episode On ‘Breaking Bad?’

He Lands The Role Of A Lifetime

Aaron Paul Jesse Pinkman
Via fansided.com

Some people seem born to play a specific role, and this is precisely the case for Aaron Paul playing Jesse Pinkman. No one out there could have played this role so well, and once he got the gig, he made the most of his opportunity and cashed in while doing so.

Yes, other actors like Penn Badgley were in consideration for the role, according to Metro, but Gilligan having Paul’s back changed everything for the actor and for the series. After making its debut, Breaking Bad went on to become one of the most successful shows of its era, and many consider it to be one of the greatest television shows of all time. One small tweak in casting would have changed the series, and there is no telling what would have happened had Paul not been in the role.

These days, Aaron Paul is still making waves in acting. He recently appeared in the latest season of Westworld, and he reprised the role of Jesse Pinkman back in 2019 in El Camino. That project was a huge success that added another layer to Jesse’s story.

Related: Everything Aaron Paul Has Been Up To Since 'Breaking Bad'

Things might have looked bleak for a moment, but in the end, Aaron Paul’s disastrous audition was more than enough for him to make bank as Jesse Pinkman.

Next: How Bryan Cranston And Aaron Paul Made Their 'Breaking Bad' Roles So Convincing