Bryan Cranston Hints At Retirement, Then Clarifies He’s Only Taking A Year-Long Break

Bryan Cranston has changed his mind from recent remarks he made in an interview with British GQ that he would retire in 2026.

Cranston initially told the men’s magazine that he intended to close his television production company, Moonshot Entertainment, and move to France with his wife, Robin Dearden. He also planned to sell his portion of his mezcal company, Dos Hombres, which he co-founded with his Breaking Bad costar, Aaron Paul. Many interpreted these comments to mean that the actor was retiring.

After numerous articles announced Cranston’s plan for retirement, the actor shared a lengthy post on Instagram on June 10 to clarify his thoughts.

“I am not retiring,” Cranston wrote. “What I am going to do is hit the pause button for a year after I reach my 70th birthday in 2026.”

The “year off” still includes a trip to France with Dearden as a married couple in their “latter years.” The break will also allow Cranston the opportunity to “reset” his career after making a name for himself playing characters like Walter White in Breaking Bad. He explained that he has been running out of “fresh ideas” in terms of how to portray his characters, adding that an “expanded life experience” would allow him to better prepare for new roles in “a more authentic way.”

This would include going for “day trips,” drinking with “new friends” and taking time off work. In his Instagram post, he also mentioned having the desire to read classic novels.

Cranston can next be seen in director Wes Anderson‘s Asteroid City, which is set to be released on June 23.