Dean Norris's character Hank Schrader will be instrumental in the final eight episodes of Breaking Bad, reports Canada's National Post. When Norris reportedly asked series creator Vince Gilligan if his character could be killed off so he could pursue another acting gig, Gilligan responded, "I need you. What else am I going to write about in the last eight?"

Q&A: 'Breaking Bad' Star Dean Norris on the Many Faces of Hank 

When Breaking Bad signed on for a final season of 16 episodes, Norris planned on shooting a pilot for a sitcom once filming for the AMC drama was completed. However, Norris's plans were foiled when he was told that the season was being split into two eight-episode halves that would be broadcast over a longer timespan.

Schrader's apparent centrality to the rest of the show's storyline is a big revelation for a fan base that is accustomed to being unsure about what to expect next, especially given that the show will conclude this summer.

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