Jonathan Banks: The Grammar Police of Breaking Bad - Correcting Writers One Line at a Time
2023/11/30

ADVERTISEMENT

Jonathan Banks, the talented actor known for his role as Mike Ehrmantraut on the hit television series Breaking Bad, apparently had a habit of correcting the show's writers' grammar. As revealed by show creator Vince Gilligan during a recent podcast, Banks would often point out grammatical errors in the scripts, much to the amusement of the writing team.

Gilligan shared an amusing anecdote about Banks' dedication to grammatical accuracy during the podcast. He recalled a scene in which Banks' character, Mike, was required to say a line that contained a grammatical error. The line in question was, "You know, if you're committed enough, you can make any story work." Banks refused to deliver the line as written and instead insisted on correcting it to "You know, if one is committed enough, one can make any story work."

The writers, initially taken aback by Banks' insistence on correcting their grammar, soon found humor in the situation. They started purposefully including grammatical errors in the scripts just to see if Banks would catch them. According to Gilligan, Banks would always spot the errors and call them out, leading to laughter and a lively atmosphere on set. The writers considered it a game, trying to come up with increasingly complex grammar mistakes to test Banks' grammatical knowledge.

Gilligan praised Banks' attention to detail and commitment to his craft. He described the actor as a "guardian angel" for the show's writing, always making sure the scripts were grammatically correct. Despite the light-hearted nature of the grammatical corrections, it is evident that Banks took his role seriously and wanted to ensure the show maintained a high level of quality in every aspect.

Furthermore, Banks' dedication extended beyond grammar. The actor was also known for his meticulousness in his portrayal of Mike, often suggesting changes to the character's lines or actions to enhance the show. Gilligan recognized that Banks had a deep understanding of his character and valued his input, appreciating the collaborative nature of their work.

The revelation about Banks' grammar corrections gives fans a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of Breaking Bad. It highlights the attention to detail and commitment to excellence that both actors and writers brought to the critically acclaimed series. Banks' insistence on grammatical accuracy and his active role in shaping his character demonstrate the level of professionalism and artistic integrity that made Breaking Bad such a tremendous success.

ADVERTISEMENT

AD
Article
news flash