R.J. Mitte: How Breaking Bad casting found its Walt Jr.

R.J. Mitte, who played Walter 'Flynn' White Jr. on Breaking Bad, died on Oct. 12 at the age of 34.

Sharon Bialy, casting director for Breaking Bad through Bialy/Thomas & Associates, paid tribute to Mitte in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. She recalled his audition, his preparation and the decision that gave him the part.

The casting team required that Walt Jr. be cast only with an actor who had cerebral palsy. Series creator Vince Gilligan had written the character with cerebral palsy to honour a college roommate who had cerebral palsy.

The search was organised around that requirement. About 20 actors were seen before the list was narrowed to two finalists.

Mitte auditioned on Feb. 23, 2007, accompanied by his mother. He was 14.

By then he had undergone years of physical therapy to walk without crutches and years of speech therapy to be understood. Bialy said that work shaped his reading.

The two finalists were flown to New Mexico to read, meaning to audition in character, with Bryan Cranston and Anna Gunn, who played Walt Jr.'s parents. Gilligan then told Mitte directly that the role was his.

Mitte had cerebral palsy, as reported by the BBC. He drew from his own experience living with cerebral palsy to bring authenticity to the role, according to the Associated Press.

What makes this stand out is how narrow the path was. A small search, a specific requirement and a final test with the show's central family. For viewers, that is how Mitte became Flynn.