NEW YORK (AP) — Bryan Cranston will sit in the director's chair one last time for his AMC drama "Breaking Bad."

In an interview Tuesday, Cranston said he will direct the ninth episode of the show's fifth and final season, which begins July 15 and will air split over two summers. That break in filming gives the actor time to put on his directing hat before the second half airs in 2013.

"As an actor on the show it's really, really difficult — if you're in it a lot obviously — to be able to prep so I take opportunities before we're actually in production shooting," he says.