Eight episodes into writing the first season of Better Call Saul, creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould are finally spilling some details about one of television's most anticipated shows.
The series, they revealed Friday during the Television Critics Association press tour in Los Angeles, will be set six years before Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) met Walter White (Bryan Cranston), which puts the show in approximately 2002. When viewers meet Saul, he sports the name Jimmy McGill and is a small-time lawyer "searching for his destiny, and, more immediately, hustling to make ends meet," according to a description for the series, which is set to debut in 2015.
But while the story will be set in the past and chronicles Jimmy's transformation into Saul, as widely reported, the timeline will be flexible. Or, as Gilligan put it, the show will very much reflect the way arcs were told on Breaking Bad...
Meanwhile, the duo confirmed the addition of Michael McKean (This Is Spinal Tap) to the cast, and revealed that the actor will play Saul's brother. "So we have these two comedy legends working together," Gould said...
While delays in production are often thought of as signals of creative disarray, Gilligan said that's not the case with Better Call Saul, which had its premiere pushed back last month. Gilligan said he's simply a slow writer...
Will we see Chili? Will we see Gus? "There's always a chance," said Gilligan. Though Gould added, "We're trying to make something that stands on its own that has an entertainment value that's not just seeing a series of old favorites. It's not the series equivalent of a clip show."
Previously, it was announced that Jonathan Banks would reprise his role as Mike Ehrmantraut.
Additionally, the network confirmed the addition of Rhea Seehorn (Whitney), Patrick Fabian (Greys Anatomy) and Michael Mando (Orphan Black) to Saul's cast...
I'm mildly looking forward to this. I just hope they don't do a mid-season break like they did for Breaking Bad season 4. Put all 10, 12, 16 or whatever episodes together and call it a season.
I just hope they don't do a mid-season break like they did for Breaking Bad season 4. Put all 10, 12, 16 or whatever episodes together and call it a season.
As the article mentioned, the only reason that Breaking Bad was split into two half-seasons was because Gilligan was slow getting the scripts written. Here's hoping he can speed things up.
Back in July, creator Vince Gilligan said the prequel would take place in approximately 2002, set six years before Saul met Walter White (Bryan Cranston). When viewers meet Saul in the series premiere, he has the name Jimmy McGill and is a small-time lawyer "searching for his destiny, and, more immediately, hustling to make ends meet," according to a description for the series, which has already been renewed for Season 2.
The story will chronicle Jimmy's transformation into Saul and, like Breaking Bad, utilize nonlinear storytelling, said Gilligan. "I would definitely [say] anything possible on Breaking Bad storytelling wise is possible on Better Call Saul," he said.
The loveably sleazy Saul Goodman is almost back on the air. AMC has announced that Better Call Saul will premiere across two nights, Sunday, February 8th and Monday, February 9th at 10PM ET/PT. From there, AMC will continue to air one episode every Monday at 10. Alongside Bob Odenkirk, who's returning as Saul, Jonathan Banks will be returning as his right-hand man, of sorts, Mike Ehrmantraut. The series takes place six years before the events of Breaking Bad and will show Saul's rise from a small-time lawyer to the successful and totally unethical one that we all already know. That's about all of the details on the series' plot so far, and its latest teaser doesn't reveal much more though it sure makes it look like the show could have a similar tone to Breaking Bad.
Looking forward to this. With Better Call Saul airing on Mondays; Justified, and Person of Interest airing on Tuesdays; Suits airing on Wednesdays; Elementary on Thursdays; and Blue Bloods, Grimm, and The Musketeers airing on Fridays; my weeknights are looking pretty good.
Do you think that one would have had to watch breaking bad in order to enjoy this series, or is it going to be stand alone?
My understanding is that the events in this spinoff take place before those in Breaking Bad. Therefor, no I don't think you would need any specific info from BB.
I found the first episode of breaking so bad boring that I fell asleep 3 times watching but made it through eventually and ended up loving the show. I actually have enjoyed the first two episodes (number two particularly) of Better Call Saul. The desert scene in particular I enjoyed.