Bryan Cranston reacts to Heated Rivalry matching Breaking Bad’s historic TV record

Heated Rivalry’s fifth episode "I’ll Believe in Anything" tied the 10/10 IMDB score of Breaking Bad’s "Ozymandias"

Bryan Cranston has reacted after learning that Heated Rivalry has matched a rare IMDb milestone long held by Breaking Bad, marking an unexpected moment in television history.

Speaking during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Cranston was told that Breaking Bad’s episode “Ozymandias” was no longer the only TV episode to hold a perfect 10/10 IMDb rating. The episode had maintained that distinction for over a decade before Heated Rivalry’s fifth episode, “I’ll Believe in Anything,” reached the same peak rating from viewers.

Cranston appeared genuinely surprised by the news, joking that he had expected the record to last forever. He playfully responded to the cast of Heated Rivalry, saying, “I’ll see you on the ice,” acknowledging the hockey-themed drama’s setting and tone.

“Ozymandias,” widely regarded as one of the greatest television episodes ever made, originally aired in 2013 during the penultimate season of Breaking Bad. It chronicles the devastating collapse of Walter White’s empire and earned widespread critical acclaim, including major awards recognition for its writing and performances.

Heated Rivalry, based on Rachel Reid’s novel, is a six-episode hockey romance drama that gained strong audience attention following its 2025 release. Its standout episode includes major emotional turning points and character-defining moments that resonated with viewers, helping it briefly achieve the perfect IMDb rating milestone.

Although ratings for both episodes have shifted slightly as more user reviews were added, the achievement remains notable. For years, “Ozymandias” stood alone at the top of IMDb rankings, and Heated Rivalry now joins it in a rare shared position in audience-driven television history.