Where do you go after a hit show centered on the dangerous world of meth production? Well, with Breaking Bad heading into its final season, Aaron Paul is in talks to make a move to HBO for a new drama pilot they’ve just picked up. HBO has given a pilot order to The Missionary, a Cold War era drama that would feature Paul as a missionary turned CIA spy in the 1960s.
The project comes from the combined forces of writer Charles Randolph, author Malcolm Gladwell, as well as the already successful duo of producer Stephen Levinson and Mark Wahlberg. Those last two have already worked together on hits Boardwalk Empire and Entourage among other projects. All four will executive produce, according to Deadline, and Aaron Paul has already started talks to take on the leading role.
Aaron Paul has certainly honed his drama skills on Breaking Bad, were he took home an Emmy for his role. Pretty impressive considering he was playing opposite Bryan Cranston, who is absolutely amazing on that show. He’s worked at HBO before, recurring on Big Love, and this new project sounds like it would suit his skills well. His young, boyish looks will fit the role of a missionary well, but his ability to handle the dark and dangerous side of drama should slip right into the feel of the Cold War era.
This is the second Cold War spy drama we’ve seen this year. FX ordered a pilot for The Americans, which stars Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys. That one features KGB spies living in America, while The Missionary focuses on an American in Berlin. Period dramas are definitely hot, so there could be room for both projects if they get picked up, especially with one being on a pay channel not everyone will access.
