Breaking Bad is an American television drama series created and produced by Vince Gilligan. The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television and broadcast in the United States and Canada on the cable network AMC. It premiered on January 20, 2008, and completed its first seven-episode season on March 9, 2008. The show's 13-episode second season ran from March 8 to May 31, 2009. A third season was announced in April 2009, to premiere March 21, 2010. Set and produced in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Breaking Bad revolves around Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a struggling high school chemistry teacher with many family issues. When White is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, he breaks down and turns to a life of crime, producing and selling methamphetamine with his former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) in a desire to secure his family's financial future. Breaking Bad has received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its writing and Cranston's lead performance, and has won four Emmy Awards in addition to numerous other awards and nominations.