Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Bryan Cranston to make TV return as President Lyndon Johnson in HBO Broadway adaptation

The Breaking Bad actor will reprise his Broadway role for the new TV film

Daisy Wyatt
Thursday 17 July 2014 04:58 EDT
Comments
Bryan Cranston plays Lyndon B Johnson in Broadway play 'All the Way'
Bryan Cranston plays Lyndon B Johnson in Broadway play 'All the Way' (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Bryan Cranston is returning to television following the phenomenal success of Breaking Bad.

The Emmy Award-winning actor is to play former US President Lyndon B Johnson in an HBO adaption of the Broadway play All the Way, which he starred in this year.

All the Way follows LBJ during his tumultuous first year in office as he takes the oath following President Kennedy’s assassination, copes with the escalation of the Vietnam War and launches his landmark civil rights bill.

Cranston, who made his Broadway debut in the play, went on to win the Tony Award for his portrayal of the democratic President.

The play closed last month on 29 June after breaking Broadway box office records to gross over $1.4 million in its opening week.

Playwright Robert Schenkkan will adapt the stage version for the small screen, with Steven Spilegberg on board to serve as an executive producer on the HBO Films project.

But like last year’s acclaimed HBO TV film Behind the Candelabra, All the Way will not be eligible for an Oscar.

Bryan Cranston with the Best Drama Emmy for 'Breaking Bad'
Bryan Cranston with the Best Drama Emmy for 'Breaking Bad' (Getty Images)

Not that that is likely to put an end to Cranston’s recent run of award wins, having picked up three Emmys, a Golden Globe, a Tony Award and three Screen Actors Guild Awards in the past year.

The actor is rumoured to re-appear in AMC’s Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul next year after series executive producer hinted he would bring back characters from the hit series.

Earliest this year, Cranston said he would “never say never” to the idea of a Breaking Bad film.

The actor most recently starred in summer blockbuster Godzilla as nuclear physicist Joe Brody.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in