Emmys 2012: ‘Breaking Bad’s’ Giancarlo Esposito is ‘over the moon’

Giancarlo Esposito sounded much more upbeat then his�Breaking Bad� character, Gustavo “Gus� Fring, discussing his Emmy nomination on Thursday morning.

“I’m over the moon and definitely honored,� Esposito said from Wilmington, N.C., where he’s filming “Revolution,� a new NBC drama that will air this fall. “I screamed, I cried. This is the culmination of a long career in television and film, and I’m so glad to be in this incredible group of actors.�

“Breaking Bad� earned 13 nominations, including nods for stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, as well as a directing nod for show creator Vince Gilligan. Esposito earned a nomination for supporting actor in a drama series.

PHOTOS: Emmys 2012 nominee reactions

He said playing Fring with a subtle menace was the key to getting in touch with the character: “To play him in such a reserved fashion taught me a lesson in learning to trust myself. When you sit back and just live the character, the character takes over. And Gus definitely took over.�

Espositio is especially proud of the character’s many layers, which he worked hard to showcase. “He could outwardly be kind. Sometimes as actors we go for the one-note thing because things move so fast in TV. But I really stuck to my guns here, to show the light and dark side.�

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More on Emmy nominations 2012:

Interactive: Play-At-Home Ballot

Photos: Snubs and surprises

Photos: And the nominees are...