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Wikipedia

Better Call Saul

January 13, 2023

For other uses, see Better Call Saul (disambiguation).

Better Call Saul is an American crime and legal drama television series created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. Part of the Breaking Bad franchise, it is a spin-off of Gilligan's previous series, Breaking Bad, and serves as a prequel and sequel to its predecessor. Set primarily in the early-mid 2000s in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the series examines the transformation of Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk), an earnest lawyer and former con artist, into an egocentric criminal defense attorney known as Saul Goodman after he becomes stuck in a feud between two rival cartels. The show also examines the moral decline of former police officer Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks), who becomes a violent fixer for drug traffickers to support his granddaughter and widowed daughter-in-law. The show premiered on AMC on February 8, 2015, and concluded on August 15, 2022, after six seasons consisting of 63 episodes.

Better Call Saul
Genre
Created by
Starring
Theme music composerLittle Barrie
ComposerDave Porter
Country of originUnited States
Original languagesEnglish
Spanish
No. of seasons6
No. of episodes63 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
Production locationsAlbuquerque, New Mexico
Cinematography
Editors
Running time41–69 minutes
Production companies
DistributorSony Pictures Television
Release
Original networkAMC
Picture format
Audio format5.1
Original releaseFebruary 8, 2015 (2015-02-08) –
August 15, 2022 (2022-08-15)
Chronology
Preceded byBreaking Bad
Related

At the start of the series, Jimmy struggles financially while working on court-appointed cases as a public defender. His romantic interest and former colleague, Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn), is an attorney at Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill (HHM), a law firm co-owned by Jimmy's brilliant but unwell brother, Chuck McGill (Michael McKean) and Chuck's law partner, Howard Hamlin (Patrick Fabian). After hiring Jimmy as legal representation, Mike provides advice and security for Nacho Varga (Michael Mando), an intelligent drug dealer who later becomes a mole for Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito), a drug lord who also operates a legitimate business, the Los Pollos Hermanos fast food establishment. Their operations are disrupted by members of the murderous Salamanca family, including Lalo Salamanca (Tony Dalton). Odenkirk, Banks, and Esposito reprise their roles from Breaking Bad, as do many others who make guest appearances.

Better Call Saul received unanimous critical acclaim, with particular praise for its acting, characters, writing, direction and cinematography; many reviewers not only considered it a worthy successor to Breaking Bad, but also one of the greatest television series of all time, with some deeming it superior to its predecessor.[6][7][8] It has garnered many nominations, including a Peabody Award, 46 Primetime Emmy Awards, 15 Writers Guild of America Awards, 14 Critics' Choice Television Awards, six Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. At the time of its airing, the series premiere held the record for the highest-rated scripted series premiere in basic cable history.

Premise

Better Call Saul follows the transformation of Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk), a former con artist who is trying to become a respectable lawyer, into the personality of the flamboyant criminal lawyer Saul Goodman (a play on the phrase "[it]'s all good, man!"), over the six-year period prior to the events of Breaking Bad, spanning from approximately 2002 to 2008.[9][10]

Jimmy is inspired by his older brother Chuck to leave his Chicago-area conman past, when he was known as "Slippin' Jimmy". He initially works in the mailroom at his brother's Albuquerque law firm, Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill (HHM), where managing partner Howard Hamlin becomes his nemesis. While at HHM Jimmy befriends Kim Wexler, a fellow mailroom employee who completes law school and becomes one of the firm's associates, and their friendship later turns romantic. Jimmy is motivated by Chuck's success to finish college and complete a Juris Doctor degree through a correspondence law school, the fictitious University of American Samoa.[11]

After attaining admission to the bar but being denied employment at HHM, Jimmy's pursuits focus on low paying clients including working as a public defender. He later begins to build a practice in elder law, which leads to a prolonged lawsuit against a nursing home chain he discovers is defrauding its clients. He and Chuck begin working together on a class-action suit, which Chuck quickly punts to HHM, squeezing Jimmy out. Jimmy begins to unravel due to Chuck's constant belittling, sabotage, and vindictive behavior towards him. Jimmy's life and career begin to intersect with the illegal narcotics trade and feature characters and story arcs that continue into Breaking Bad.

Among these arcs is the uneasy truce between the Salamanca family that serves the Juárez Cartel drug interest, led first by Hector Salamanca and later by his nephews Tuco (Raymond Cruz) and Lalo, and Gus Fring, a fried chicken entrepreneur whose restaurant chain is a front for the drug trade. Those caught up in the ensuing turmoil include Ignacio "Nacho" Varga, a Salamanca associate who wants to protect his father from harm, and Mike Ehrmantraut, a former Philadelphia police officer who becomes a fixer for Gus. As his interactions with criminals continue, Jimmy takes on the persona of the flamboyant, colorful Saul Goodman, and he starts to draw on his conman past while his work as an attorney goes from questionable to unethical to illegal.

In addition to selected scenes that take place within the Breaking Bad timeline, the show includes flashforwards, shown in black and white, to events following Breaking Bad. These scenes, taking place in 2010, show Jimmy living as a fugitive under the identity Gene Takavic, the manager of a Cinnabon store in Omaha, Nebraska.

Cast and characters

Main article: List of characters in the Breaking Bad franchise
 
Bob Odenkirk (Jimmy McGill / Saul Goodman / Gene Takavic)
 
Jonathan Banks (Mike Ehrmantraut)
 
Rhea Seehorn (Kim Wexler)
 
Patrick Fabian (Howard Hamlin)
 
Michael Mando (Nacho Varga)
 
Michael McKean (Chuck McGill)
 
Giancarlo Esposito (Gus Fring)
 
Tony Dalton (Lalo Salamanca)

Main cast

  • Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill / Saul Goodman / Gene Takavic, a lawyer and a former scam artist, who becomes involved with the criminal world.
  • Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut, a former Philadelphia police officer working as a parking lot attendant at the Albuquerque courthouse, and later a private investigator, bodyguard and "cleaner".
  • Rhea Seehorn as Kim Wexler, a lawyer whom Jimmy met and became close friends with as she worked her way through the ranks at the Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill (HHM) law firm; in the present, she serves as Jimmy's confidante and later the two develop a romantic relationship.
  • Patrick Fabian as Howard Hamlin, the managing partner at Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill, first appearing as Jimmy's nemesis, until it becomes clear that he was acting under Chuck McGill's orders.
  • Michael Mando as Nacho Varga, an intelligent, ambitious member of Hector Salamanca's drug ring who also works for his father's upholstery shop.
  • Michael McKean as Chuck McGill (seasons 1–3; special guest seasons 4 and 6), Jimmy's elder brother and a founding partner of HHM who is confined to his home by electromagnetic hypersensitivity and expresses disdain for his brother's legal career.
  • Giancarlo Esposito as Gus Fring (seasons 3–6), the owner of the fast food restaurant chain Los Pollos Hermanos, which he uses as a front to distribute cocaine for the Mexican cartel in uneasy cooperation with the Salamanca family. He nurses grudges against cartel boss Don Eladio and Salamanca patriarch Hector Salamanca. Fring also desires to switch from cocaine to locally produced methamphetamine so he can end his dependence on the cartel.
  • Tony Dalton as Lalo Salamanca (seasons 5–6; recurring season 4), the charismatic and psychopathic nephew of Hector and cousin of Tuco, Leonel, and Marco, who helps run the family drug business after Hector's stroke.

Recurring cast

Introduced in season 1

  • Kerry Condon as Stacey Ehrmantraut, Mike's widowed daughter-in-law and the mother of Kaylee Ehrmantraut
  • Faith Healey (season 1), Abigail Zoe Lewis (seasons 2–4) and Juliet Donenfeld (seasons 5–6) as Kaylee Ehrmantraut, Mike's granddaughter
  • Eileen Fogarty as Mrs. Nguyen, owner of a nail salon which houses Jimmy's law office in its utility room
  • Peter Diseth as Deputy District Attorney Bill Oakley
  • Joe DeRosa as Dr. Caldera, a veterinarian with ties to the criminal underworld
  • Dennis Boutsikaris as Rich Schweikart, a partner at Schweikart & Cokely
  • Mark Proksch as Daniel "Pryce" Wormald, a drug company employee who begins supplying Nacho and hires Mike as security
  • Brandon K. Hampton as Ernesto, Chuck's assistant who works at HHM
  • Josh Fadem as Marshall/Joey Dixon ("Camera Guy"), one of the three University of New Mexico (UNM) film students who help Jimmy film various projects
  • Julian Bonfiglio as Phil ("Sound Guy"), one of the three UNM film students Jimmy hires for various film projects
  • Jeremy Shamos and Julie Ann Emery as Craig and Betsy Kettleman, a county treasurer and his wife, accused of embezzlement
  • Steven Levine and Daniel Spenser Levine as Lars and Cal Lindholm, twin skateboarders and small-time scam artists
  • Míriam Colón as Abuelita Salamanca, Tuco's grandmother and Hector's mother
  • Barry Shabaka Henley as Detective Sanders, a Philadelphia cop who was formerly partnered with Mike on the force
  • Mel Rodriguez as Marco Pasternak, Jimmy's best friend and partner-in-crime in Cicero, Illinois
  • Clea DuVall as Dr. Cruz, a doctor who treats Chuck and suspects his electromagnetic hypersensitivity condition is psychosomatic
  • Jean Effron as Irene Landry, an elderly client of Jimmy McGill overcharged by the Sandpiper Crossing elder care home
  • Steven Ogg as Sobchak, a petty crook for hire

Introduced in season 2

  • Ed Begley Jr. as Clifford Main, managing partner at Davis & Main where Jimmy worked during season two
  • Omar Maskati as Omar, Jimmy's assistant at Davis & Main
  • Jessie Ennis as Erin Brill, a lawyer at Davis & Main who is ordered to shadow Jimmy
  • Juan Carlos Cantu as Manuel Varga, Nacho's father who owns an upholstery shop
  • Vincent Fuentes as Arturo Colon, a criminal associate of Hector Salamanca
  • Rex Linn as Kevin Wachtell, chairman of Mesa Verde Bank and Trust and a client of HHM and Kim
  • Cara Pifko as Paige Novick, senior legal counsel for Mesa Verde Bank and Trust and a friend of Kim
  • Ann Cusack as Rebecca Bois, Chuck's ex-wife
  • Julie Pearl as Assistant District Attorney Suzanne Ericsen
  • Manuel Uriza as Ximenez Lecerda, an associate of Hector Salamanca
  • Hayley Holmes as Cheri ("Make-Up Girl"/"Drama Girl"), one of the three University of New Mexico film students Jimmy hires for various projects

Introduced in season 3

  • Kimberly Hebert Gregory as Assistant District Attorney Kyra Hay
  • Harrison Thomas as Lyle, the dedicated assistant manager of Los Pollos Hermanos
  • Tamara Tunie as Anita, a member of Mike and Stacey's support group
  • Bonnie Bartlett as Helen, Irene's friend and member of the affected class in the Sandpiper lawsuit

Introduced in season 4

  • Don Harvey (seasons 4–5) and Pat Healy (season 6) as Jeff, a taxi cab driver in the present that recognizes Gene as Saul Goodman
  • Rainer Bock as Werner Ziegler, an engineer hired by Gus to plan and oversee construction of his meth "superlab"
  • Ben Bela Böhm as Kai, a rebellious member of the crew Werner Ziegler assembles for the construction of Gus's meth "superlab"
  • Stefan Kapičić as Casper, a member of Werner Ziegler's team
  • Poorna Jagannathan as Maureen Bruckner, a specialist from Johns Hopkins who flew to Albuquerque to treat Hector after Gus arranged for a "generous grant"
  • Keiko Agena as Viola Goto, Kim Wexler's paralegal

Introduced in season 5

  • Max Bickelhaup as Buddy, Jeff's friend who later helps Gene with his schemes
  • Sasha Feldman and Morgan Krantz as Sticky and Ron, two petty crooks who are among "Saul Goodman"'s first clients
  • Barry Corbin as Everett Acker, an old man living on leased property belonging to Mesa Verde whom Kim has to evict to make way for the bank's new call center

Introduced in season 6

  • Lennie Loftin as Genidowski, a con man hired by Jimmy and Kim to pose as Howard's private investigator
  • Sandrine Holt as Cheryl Hamlin, Howard's estranged wife
  • John Posey as Rand Casimiro, a retired judge who is mediating the Sandpiper case
  • John Ennis as Lenny, a grocery store employee hired by Jimmy and Kim to impersonate Casimiro
  • Carol Burnett as Marion, Jeff's mother who takes a liking to Gene
  • Kevin Sussman as Mr. Lingk, a rich man with cancer who is targeted by Gene

Introduced in Breaking Bad

  • Raymond Cruz as Tuco Salamanca, a ruthless, psychopathic drug distributor in the South Valley (seasons 1–2)
  • Cesar García as No-Doze, Tuco's henchman (season 1)
  • Jesús Payán Jr. as Gonzo, Tuco's henchman (season 1)
  • T.C. Warner as Nurse (season 1)
  • Kyle Bornheimer as Ken, an arrogant, self-absorbed stockbroker (season 2)
  • Stoney Westmoreland as Officer Saxton, an Albuquerque Police Department officer (season 2)
  • Jim Beaver as Lawson, a black market weapons dealer in Albuquerque (season 2)
  • Maximino Arciniega as Domingo "Krazy-8" Molina, one of Tuco's distributors (seasons 2–5)
  • Mark Margolis as Hector Salamanca, Tuco's uncle and high-ranking member of the cartel (seasons 2–6)
  • Debrianna Mansini as Fran, a waitress at Loyola's Diner (seasons 2 and 4)
  • Daniel and Luis Moncada as Leonel and Marco Salamanca, Tuco's cousins and Hector's nephews who are hitmen for the cartel (seasons 2, 4–6)
  • Jennifer Hasty as Stephanie Doswell, a real estate agent (season 2)
  • Tina Parker as Francesca Liddy, Jimmy's receptionist (seasons 3–4, 6)
  • Jeremiah Bitsui as Victor, Gus's henchman (seasons 3–6)
  • Ray Campbell as Tyrus Kitt, a henchman on Gus Fring's payroll (seasons 3–6)
  • JB Blanc as Dr. Barry Goodman, a doctor on Gus Fring's payroll (seasons 3–5)
  • Steven Bauer as Don Eladio Vuente, the head of the Juarez drug cartel (seasons 3, 5–6)
  • Javier Grajeda as Juan Bolsa, a high-level member of the Juárez drug cartel (seasons 3–6)
  • Lavell Crawford as Huell Babineaux, a professional pickpocket hired by Jimmy (seasons 3–6)
  • Laura Fraser as Lydia Rodarte-Quayle, a Madrigal Electromotive executive and associate of Gus Fring (seasons 3–5)
  • Eric Steinig as Nick, a member of Gus's security team, later managed by Mike (seasons 4–6)
  • Franc Ross as Ira, a burglar Jimmy hires; in Breaking Bad, he is the owner of Vamonos Pest who appears in "Hazard Pay" (season 4)
  • David Costabile as Gale Boetticher, a chemist who is consulted by Gus (season 4)
  • Robert Forster as Ed Galbraith, a vacuum cleaner store owner who relocates people running from the law and gives them new identities (season 5)
  • Dean Norris as Hank Schrader, a DEA agent and Walter White's brother-in-law (season 5)
  • Steven Michael Quezada as Steven Gomez, Hank's DEA partner and best friend (season 5)
  • Robert Sanchez as Harry Lipenstein, a DEA agent (season 5)
  • Nigel Gibbs as Tim Roberts, a detective with the Albuquerque Police Department (seasons 5–6)
  • Norbert Weisser as Peter Schuler, a Madrigal Electromotive executive and associate of Gus Fring (season 5)
  • Julia Minesci as Wendy, a street prostitute working out of the Crossroads motel (season 6)
  • David Ury as Spooge, a small-time criminal (season 6)
  • Bryan Cranston as Walter White, a middle-aged high school chemistry teacher who, during the events of Breaking Bad, becomes involved with the drug trade and enlists the services of Saul to help launder his money (season 6)
  • Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman, a former student of Walter who, during the events of Breaking Bad, helps Walter with cooking meth (season 6)
  • John Koyama as Emilio Koyama, Jesse's friend and sometime partner in the meth business (season 6)
  • Betsy Brandt as Marie Schrader, Hank's widowed wife (season 6)
  • Todd Terry as SAC Austin Ramey, head of the southwestern United States DEA offices (season 6)

Production

Conception

 
 
Better Call Saul was developed and co-showrun by Vince Gilligan (left) and Peter Gould (right). Gould took over as sole showrunner after Gilligan left the writing staff during the third season.

Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould began considering a television spinoff of Breaking Bad as early as 2009. While filming the Breaking Bad episode "Full Measure", Gilligan asked Bob Odenkirk his thoughts on a Saul Goodman spinoff.[12] In July 2012, Gilligan publicly hinted at a Goodman spinoff,[13] stating that he liked "the idea of a lawyer show in which the main lawyer will do anything it takes to stay out of court", including settling on the courthouse steps.[14] During his appearance on Talking Bad, Odenkirk noted that Saul was one of the most popular characters on the show, speculating that the audience likes the character because he is "the program's least hypocritical figure", and "is good at his job".[15]

Gilligan noted that over the course of Breaking Bad, there were a lot of "what ifs” their team considered, such as if the show won a Primetime Emmy Award, or if people would buy "Los Pollos Hermanos" T-shirts. The staff did not expect these events to come to fruition, but after they did, they started considering a spin-off featuring Saul as a thought experiment. Furthermore, Saul's character on Breaking Bad became much more developed than the staff had planned, as he was originally slated to appear in only three episodes. With the growth of Saul's character, Gilligan saw ways to explore the character further.[16]

Development

In April 2013, Better Call Saul was confirmed to be in development by Gilligan and Gould; the latter wrote the Breaking Bad episode that introduced the character.[17][18] In July 2013, before the second half of Breaking Bad's final season aired, Gilligan said he and Gould were still working out ideas for the spin-off, but a deal had not yet been made.[19] Netflix was one of many interested distributors, but ultimately a deal was made between AMC and the Breaking Bad production company Sony Pictures Television.[20] Gilligan and Gould began as co-showrunners, and Gilligan directed the pilot.[21] Former Breaking Bad writers Thomas Schnauz and Gennifer Hutchison joined the writing staff, with Schnauz serving as co-executive producer and Hutchison as supervising producer.[22] Also joining the initial writing staff were Bradley Paul and former Breaking Bad writer's assistant Gordon Smith.[21]

As Sony and AMC began to commit to a spinoff, Gilligan and Gould worked on what it would be about. They initially considered making it a half-hour show where Saul would see various clients – celebrities in guest roles – in his strip mall office, a format similar to Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, but they had no idea how to write for this type of format, and fell back to planning for hour-long episodes.[23][17][14] Since they had used this format with Breaking Bad, which Gilligan said was "25-percent humor, 75-percent drama", the two considered reversing that for Better Call Saul.[23] While the intent was to add more humor, the show remained heavy with dramatic elements, with Odenkirk calling the first season "85 percent drama, 15 percent comedy."[24]

While several of the characters are lawyers in the show, Gilligan and Gould did not want to write a legal show, but instead a crime show, but one that would necessitate some legal elements. To help in these areas, the writers spoke to real lawyers and spent time observing cases at Los Angeles Superior Court, observing that the bulk of the activity in these cases was downtime while waiting for others to complete actions.[25]

Gilligan and Gould found that the character of Saul Goodman was insufficient to carry the show by himself, with Gilligan calling the character of Saul "great flavoring" for a show but not the substance.[23] They came to realize that Saul, in the Breaking Bad timeframe, was a man that had come to accept himself, and recognized the potential of telling the story of how Saul got to be that person.[23] Gilligan and Gould had already committed to the Better Call Saul title, so that in following this route, they believed they had to quickly get from Jimmy McGill to Saul Goodman, or they would otherwise disappoint their audience. However, as they wrote the show, they realized "we don't want to get to Saul Goodman … and that's the tragedy".[23]

Gilligan and Gould had learned several lessons related to foreshadowing without writing the foresight for it from Breaking Bad,[26] and so with Better Call Saul, gave themselves more flexibility in how the show's plot would develop over its run, and had no firm idea where it will end up outside the connection to Breaking Bad.[23] For example, Rhea Seehorn's performance as Kim Wexler during the first season significantly altered how the writers used her character in later seasons as well as slowing down the pacing of the transition of Jimmy into Saul, as they gave more focus to the Jimmy–Kim relationship. Gilligan compared this to the impact Aaron Paul's acting had on Breaking Bad's ultimate pacing.[27]

In writing for Better Call Saul, Gilligan and Gould recognized they were including overlaps with Breaking Bad, and had ideas of characters they would include, such as Gus Fring, though on no set timetable within the show's development. Gilligan described the writing approach as if developing two separate shows, one that centers on Jimmy/Saul, Kim, Chuck, and Howard, and a second on the more familiar Breaking Bad characters like Mike and Gus with some overlap, as if they were giving the audience two shows for one.[23] Where possible, they had written in minor Breaking Bad characters in smaller parts or as Easter eggs to fans, but Gilligan preferred only to include such major Breaking Bad characters as Walter or Jesse if this seemed unconstrained and satisfactory to both the production team and the audiences.[23]

Because of the closeness to the Breaking Bad storyline, one of the writers was tasked at the start of each season to rewatch all 62 episodes of the show and verify that the scripts for the Better Call Saul season introduced no conflicts.[28] As the show continued, the show's "brain trust" consisting of script coordinators Ariel Levine and Kathleen Williams-Foshee reviewed each script to help maintain the continuity with Breaking Bad, including tracking minor character traits and assuring small details from the previous show were kept correct if brought up again.[29]

Gilligan's departure from the writing staff and return

Gilligan left the Better Call Saul writing staff early in the third season to focus on other projects, resulting in Gould becoming sole showrunner. This transition had been planned since the show's debut, but Gilligan hoped to return to the writers room during the show's final season.[30] He remained involved in the fourth and fifth seasons, but said he had very little to do with developing the show's contents during this period. Instead, Gilligan reduced his role to being a "director for hire" for the episodes "Wiedersehen" and "Bagman", and stated these were the only scripts he read when he was not on the writing staff.[31][32][33] He went on to credit Gould for maintaining the series' high quality.[31] Gould would bring Gilligan back to the writers room for the sixth and final season, calling it "wonderful to have him there, so we can finish this show that we started together."[34]

Casting

Bob Odenkirk confirmed he would reprise Saul Goodman in the starring role when the series was first announced, but his character would be introduced as lawyer Jimmy McGill.[18] In January 2014, it was announced that Jonathan Banks would reprise his Breaking Bad role as Mike Ehrmantraut and be a series regular.[35]

New cast members included Michael McKean as McGill's elder brother Chuck. McKean previously guest-starred in an episode of Odenkirk's Mr. Show and Gilligan's X-Files episode "Dreamland".[36][37] Rhea Seehorn auditioned and got the role of Kimberly "Kim" Wexler in April 2014, her character being described as "prestigious attorney ... whose hard life is complicated by her romantic entanglements with somebody else at the firm". In May 2014, Patrick Fabian was cast on the show as Howard Hamlin, a "Kennedy-esque lawyer who's winning at life". After impressing Gilligan and Gould with his audition tape and screen test, Michael Mando was cast as the "smart and calculating criminal" Ignacio "Nacho" Varga.[38][39][40] Mando's character had been previously mentioned but not seen in the Breaking Bad episode "Better Call Saul".[41]

Going into the third season, Giancarlo Esposito was added to the main cast as Gus Fring, a drug kingpin who previously served as one of Breaking Bad's main antagonists. Esposito was previously a starring cast member in Breaking Bad for the same role.[42] McKean would leave the series at season's end due to his character being written out, but would make appearances in the next season and the series finale.[43] Tony Dalton made his first appearance as Lalo Salamanca in the fourth season, and would be promoted to the main cast for the fifth.[44] Similar to Nacho, Lalo had been a character mentioned only by name in the same Breaking Bad episode "Better Call Saul".[41]

Guest appearances from Breaking Bad characters

Before the second season, Gilligan confirmed that more of the prominent characters from Breaking Bad would be making guest appearances on the spin-off, but remained vague on which characters were likely to be seen.[45] By the next season, Gilligan said that the show had been on long enough that any reuse of Breaking Bad characters would require more than "just a cameo or an Alfred Hitchcock walkthrough", and that their appearances would need to be essential to the story.[46]

Throughout the series run, both Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul regularly said that if asked, they would be open to reappearing on the show as Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, respectively. Both believed that Gilligan would have to find a sufficiently good reason to bring them on the show.[46][47] Paul previously mentioned the possibility of a cameo during the first season but this fell through.[48][49] The two would eventually appear together in the sixth-season episode "Breaking Bad", which was named after the original series.[50] Paul made a separate cameo in the next episode; Cranston appeared again in the series finale.[51][52]

Dean Norris, another one of Breaking Bad's cast members, stated he could not be part of the earlier seasons, partly due to his involvement in the CBS series Under the Dome,[53] but was announced as a guest star reprising his role as Hank Schrader by the fifth season, where he appeared in the episodes "The Guy for This" and "Namaste".[54] Plans were initially made to have Betsy Brandt reprise her role as Marie Schrader, Hank's wife, for a cameo appearance in the second-season finale "Klick". However, the writer's room objected, considering the idea to be distracting for audiences.[55] She would eventually appear in the series finale.[56]

Other Breaking Bad actors spoke of the potential of being on Better Call Saul. Before the series began, Anna Gunn mentioned a "talk" with Gilligan over possible guest appearances as Skyler White.[57] Bill Burr was set to return as Patrick Kuby in the fifth-season episode "Dedicado a Max", but scheduling fell through due to him needing to attend to a personal matter.[58][59] After the series ended, Gould mentioned his desire to bring back Gunn, Norris, Esposito and RJ Mitte for the finale, but he and the writing staff could not find a proper way to have them fit into the story.[60][61]

Filming

 
 
The series is shot in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Shooting locations include Cottonwood Mall (top) and the Old Bernalillo County Courthouse (bottom).

Principal photography for Better Call Saul's six seasons took place from June 2, 2014, to February 9, 2022.[62][63][64] Like its predecessor, Better Call Saul is set in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico, with filming primarily taking place at Albuquerque Studios.[65][66] Notable exterior locations include the Twisters restaurant used previously in Breaking Bad for Gus's Los Pollos Hermanos, a parking lot kiosk at the Albuquerque Convention Center for where Mike worked in the first few seasons, the Old Bernalillo County Courthouse as the local courthouse, and two nearby office buildings in the North Valley, including Northrop Grumman's, that collectively are used for the HHM office spaces.[67]

Jimmy's back office is located in an actual nail salon, which the producers accommodated by working with the owners. The Salamanca's restaurant is a real business in the South Valley that production modified a bit for the show, but which otherwise remained open. The scenes set in Omaha are filmed at Cottonwood Mall in Albuquerque; production worked with Cinnabon to bring in the period-specific equipment and service items for the segments, and the extras in the store during these scenes are Cinnabon employees.[68] The New Mexico Film Office reported that the first four seasons of Better Call Saul brought over US$120 million into the state, and they have hired 1,600 crew for each season and a total of 11,300 extras.[69]

Additional filming was done in March 2022, after principal photography for the series ended, for the opening teaser of the season six episode "Point and Shoot". With several crew members but no cast members on hand, the scene was filmed in Leo Carrillo State Beach, California. This was the only time the series was filmed outside of New Mexico.[70]: 1:00:01–1:01:29 [71]

Better Call Saul employs Breaking Bad's signature time jumps.[72] Notably, most seasons' opening episode has started with a black and white flash-forward to a period in the years after the finale of Breaking Bad where Saul has been relocated to Omaha, Nebraska, as "Gene", a manager of a Cinnabon store, remaining paranoid about anyone discovering his past identity. This was foreshadowed in the penultimate episode of Breaking Bad, "Granite State", in which Saul tells Walter: "If I'm lucky, a month from now, best-case scenario, I'm managing a Cinnabon in Omaha."[73]

The show's director of photography was Arthur Albert for the first two seasons, and Marshall Adams starting with season 3.[74] Additionally, Paul Donachie served as a cinematographer on episodes "Namaste" (2020), "Carrot and Stick" (2022) and "Hit and Run" (2022).[75] Seasons 1 and 2 was filmed mainly on RED Dragon cameras.[76][77] Starting with season 3, Panasonic VariCam Pure were incorporated due to their extra low-light sensitivity.[78][79] This allowed the crew to shoot extra wide exterior shots at night as well as during the day, and to shoot on sets in near total darkness, such as nighttime in Chuck's unelectrified house.[80] For scenes requiring to film from cramped spaces, Panasonic Lumix GH4 point-and-shoot camera was used.[81] In season 4, three RED and two VariCam Pure cameras were used.[78] For seasons 5 and 6, mostly Arri ALEXA LF was used.[82][83][84]

Episode title sequences

Each episode's title sequence features a different low-quality image that recalls Saul Goodman's days on Breaking Bad. This includes the inflatable Statue of Liberty balloon that sat atop Saul's office, a drawer of burner phones kept in his desk, and a bus stop bench that advertised his business. Gould and Gilligan were inspired by the poor quality of early VHS tapes and the notoriously low production values of 1980s public-access television, and from the fact that Saul Goodman's ads on Breaking Bad were done in a similar style. They intended for the title sequences to appear "purposefully shitty" in order to stand out from those of its contemporaries, which generally had increased visual quality and production standards. Some of the title sequences were put together from unused footage from Breaking Bad, but others were filmed specifically to create new ones. The title sequences were put together by assistant editor Curtis Thurber, and scored by Little Barrie guitarist Barrie Cadogan.[85][86] When Cadogan was putting the music together, he was told the producers wanted a piece of music that would be cut abruptly at 15 seconds.[86]

As every season except for the last has ten episodes each, the title credits for every season's corresponding episode number would reuse the same image. However, beginning with the second season, each of the episode's title sequences would continue to decline in picture quality by intermittently flashing black and white, and continue to lose color with each passing season. This caused many to theorize that this symbolized Jimmy McGill's storyline gradually transitioning to that of his post-Breaking Bad alter-ego Gene Takavic, whose scenes were entirely in black and white.[87][88]

With the final season featuring thirteen episodes instead of the usual ten, the title sequences would take a new format. During "Nippy", the title sequence features Saul Goodman's "World's Greatest Lawyer" mug falling off his desk and shattering on the floor, as was typical during a season's tenth episode. However, the title image and music prematurely stops and is replaced by a blue screen, recreating the effects of a home video recording on a VCR, and then displayed the show's title and creator credits. This is also the first episode to take place entirely after the events of Breaking Bad.[89] The remaining three title sequences retain the blue background, but briefly flash to an image previously unseen in the intro, with a distorted version of the theme song playing underneath. They then revert to the blue background again and display the title and creator credits. Before the show resumes, they again briefly flash to another new image that will be seen later on in the episodes.[51]

Episodes

Main article: List of Better Call Saul episodes
Series overview for Better Call Saul
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
110February 8, 2015 (2015-02-08)April 6, 2015 (2015-04-06)
210February 15, 2016 (2016-02-15)April 18, 2016 (2016-04-18)
310April 10, 2017 (2017-04-10)June 19, 2017 (2017-06-19)
410August 6, 2018 (2018-08-06)October 8, 2018 (2018-10-08)
510February 23, 2020 (2020-02-23)April 20, 2020 (2020-04-20)
6137April 18, 2022 (2022-04-18)May 23, 2022 (2022-05-23)
6July 11, 2022 (2022-07-11)August 15, 2022 (2022-08-15)

Season 1 (2015)

Main article: Better Call Saul (season 1)

The first teaser trailer debuted on AMC on August 10, 2014, and confirmed its premiere date of February 2015.[90] On November 20, 2014, AMC announced the series would have a two-night premiere; the first episode aired on Sunday, February 8, 2015, at 10:00 pm (ET), and then moved into its regular time slot the following night, airing Mondays at 10:00 pm.[91] It was released on Blu-ray and DVD in region 1 on November 10, 2015; bonus features include audio commentaries for every episode, uncensored episodes, deleted scenes, gag reel, and several behind-the-scenes featurettes. A limited edition Blu-ray set was also released with 3D packaging and a postcard vinyl of the Better Call Saul theme song by Junior Brown.[92]

Better Call Saul shows two timelines, the first starting in 2002, where Saul Goodman goes by his birthname, Jimmy McGill. He schemes to represent Craig Kettleman, accused of embezzlement, leading to encounters with psychotic drug lord Tuco Salamanca and his lieutenant Nacho. Jimmy also cares for his brother Chuck, who is housebound with electromagnetic hypersensitivity. While pursuing elder law, Jimmy learns of seniors being defrauded by the Sandpiper retirement community. As the class action lawsuit against Sandpiper grows, Chuck suggests giving it to his law firm, Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill. Jimmy receives a small of counsel fee and a share of any future settlement, but is blocked from participation. Jimmy learns Chuck sabotaged his legal career out of resentment. HHM brings in another firm, Davis & Main, to assist with the case. After the death of an old friend, Jimmy finds success when D&M offers to hire him because of his discovery of the Sandpiper case.

The secondary timeline takes place in 2010, following events of Breaking Bad, where Saul has fled Albuquerque and hides in Nebraska as Gene Takavic. He manages a Cinnabon and reminisces about his life as Saul. This period would only be shown in the cold open in the first five season premieres, but would be fully explored in the last four episodes of the final season.

Season 2 (2016)

Main article: Better Call Saul (season 2)

Prior to the series' launch, on June 19, 2014, AMC renewed the series for a second season of 13 episodes to premiere in early 2016, which was later reduced to 10 episodes.[21][93] It premiered on February 15, 2016, and released on Blu-ray and DVD in region 1 on November 15, 2016; bonus features include audio commentaries for every episode and several behind-the-scenes featurettes.[94][95]

In 2002, Jimmy works as an associate at D&M, but quits after his ostentatious legal style doesn't mesh with the firm's corporate demeanor. Kim is demoted by Chuck's partner, Howard Hamlin, because of Jimmy's actions. She secures banking firm Mesa Verde as an HHM client, and Howard is happy to have the business but denies her credit. Kim quits HHM and opens a shared private practice with Jimmy. Jimmy sabotages Chuck's work for Mesa Verde, which drops HHM and hires Kim, but Chuck discovers this and tricks Jimmy into confessing. Nacho hires Mike Ehrmantraut to remove Tuco, but Mike instead machinates his imprisonment. Cartel elder and uncle of Tuco, Hector Salamanca, confronts Mike. Mike attempts to assassinate Hector, but is mysteriously interrupted.

In 2010, Gene accidentally locks himself in the dumpster room when closing out the Cinnabon for the night. Instead of alerting police, he spends the night waiting for the janitor to open the door.

Season 3 (2017)

Main article: Better Call Saul (season 3)

AMC announced on March 15, 2016 that Better Call Saul was renewed for a 10-episode third season, which premiered April 10, 2017.[96][97] It was released on Blu-ray and DVD in region 1 on January 16, 2018; bonus features include audio commentaries for every episode and several behind-the-scenes featurettes.[98]

In 2003, the results of the disciplinary hearing have Jimmy's law license suspended and Chuck's hypersensitivity condition is revealed to be psychosomatic. After Jimmy sabotages Chuck's insurance, Howard urges him to retire, but Chuck sues HHM in spite. Howard buys him out of the firm, leading Chuck to commit suicide. Gus prevents Hector's assassination, and Mike attacks Hector's trucks to steal $250,000 on Gus's orders. To help launder the money, Gus arranges for Mike's hire as a contracted security consultant at Madrigal. Hector plans to take over the business of Nacho's father, so his son attempts to kill Hector by sabotaging his angina medication. As the cartel prefers Gus's drug distribution over Hector's, he suffers a stroke during a confrontation, rendering Hector comatose.

In 2010, Gene points mall security guards towards a shoplifter during his lunch break. Later, a stressed Gene suddenly collapses during his work.

Season 4 (2018)

Main article: Better Call Saul (season 4)

Following the third season's end on June 27, 2017, AMC renewed the series for a 10-episode fourth season, which premiered on August 6, 2018.[99][100] It was released on Blu-ray and DVD in region 1 on May 7, 2019; bonus features include audio commentary for every episode and several behind-the-scenes featurettes.[101]

In 2003, Jimmy regains his outgoing demeanor after Howard shoulders the blame for Chuck's death. Jimmy manages a cell phone store but makes more reselling prepaid phones to criminals. A year later, his law license reinstatement is denied over lack of remorse for Chuck. After faking mourning, he successfully appeals and practices as the "Saul Goodman" trade name. Gus learns Nacho attempted to kill Hector and blackmails him into undermining the Salamancas. Mike escorts engineers who evaluate Gus's industrial laundry site as a potential underground meth lab. Gus hires Werner Ziegler to oversee construction, but Mike is ordered to kill Werner when he tries to escape. Hector recovers from his stroke, but is mute and can only move his right index finger. His nephew, Lalo Salamanca, arrives to run Hector's business, learning of the construction project.

In 2010, Gene is hospitalized after his collapse and later discharged. He becomes uneasy when a taxi driver with an Albuquerque Isotopes air freshener seems to recognize him.

Season 5 (2020)

Main article: Better Call Saul (season 5)

The series was renewed for a fifth season on July 28, 2018, just prior to the airing of the fourth season.[102] The fifth season was not expected to air until 2020; according to AMC's Sarah Barnett, the delay was "driven by talent needs".[103] The 10-episode fifth season would start airing with a special Sunday broadcast on February 23, 2020, with following episodes to air on Mondays.[104] It was released on Blu-ray and DVD in region 1 on November 24, 2020; bonus features include cast and crew audio commentaries on every episode, deleted scenes, and various behind-the-scenes featurettes.[105]

In 2004, Jimmy's law practice as Saul Goodman draws him into Albuquerque's drug trade and he is conflicted when Howard offers him a position at HHM. Kim balances her Mesa Verde and pro bono work with her own feelings for Jimmy, and finds herself employing similar conman-style tactics. Jimmy and Kim later devise a plan to ruin Howard to settle the Sandpiper case. Lalo's presence in Albuquerque forces Gus to suspend construction of his meth lab. Nacho and Mike become pawns in the ongoing feud between the Salamancas and Gus. After Lalo is arrested for murder, he hires Jimmy to represent him and arrange bail, which almost kills Jimmy. After an unsuccessful attempt on Lalo's life by Gus's hired assassins after his release, Lalo deduces that Nacho has betrayed him.

In 2010, during another lunch break, Gene is approached by the taxi driver, Jeff, and his friend Buddy. Jeff reveals he recognized Gene as Saul Goodman from when he previously lived in Albuquerque. Gene admits he is living with a secret identity.

Season 6 (2022)

Main article: Better Call Saul (season 6)

AMC renewed the series for a sixth season on January 16, 2020, with a scheduled premiere in 2021.[106] Showrunner Peter Gould confirmed it would be the show's final season and consist of 13 episodes rather than the usual 10.[107] Production experienced long delays due to COVID-19 and star Bob Odenkirk needing several weeks to fully recover from a heart attack he experienced on set.[108][109] The sixth and final season was split into two halves; the first half premiered on April 18, 2022, while the last half premiered on July 11, 2022.[110] The complete season was released on Blu-ray and DVD in region 1 on December 6, 2022; bonus features include cast and crew audio commentaries on every episode, deleted scenes, outtakes, and various behind-the-scenes featurettes.[111]

In 2004, Nacho attempts to flee from the Salamancas after the attempt on Lalo's life, but after Gus falsely implicates him, Nacho sacrifices himself in exchange for his father's safety. Jimmy and Kim smear Howard's reputation, thereby forcing a settlement of the Sandpiper case. Howard confronts them, but is murdered by Lalo. After forcing Kim to act as a diversion, Lalo ambushes Gus to access the meth lab under construction. Gus kills Lalo with a hidden gun. Mike makes Howard's death appear as a suicide, and oversees the burial of Howard and Lalo beneath the lab. A traumatized Kim quits the law and divorces Jimmy. Several years later, Jimmy has fully transformed into Saul Goodman.

In 2010, Gene approaches Jeff and Buddy with an offer to rob a department store. After reaching out to Kim, who now lives in Florida, Gene devises a scheme to obtain financial identification of rich single men at bars he can sell for profit. When the scheme goes wrong, Buddy quits the operation, Jeff is arrested, and Gene is eventually caught. He is extradited to Albuquerque for the trial and feigns testimony implicating Kim so she can be summoned to court. He confesses to Kim and those at the trial about his crimes during the events of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, getting an 86-year sentence. Jimmy is recognized as Saul in prison and gains popularity with the inmates. Kim visits him and they share a cigarette before parting again.

Broadcast

Better Call Saul airs on cable network AMC. The series premiere drew in 4.4 million and 4 million in the 18–49 and 25–54 demographics, respectively, and received an overall viewership of 6.9 million.[112] This was the record for the highest-rated scripted series premiere in basic cable history, until it was surpassed later the same year by another AMC series, Fear the Walking Dead.[113]

In December 2013, Netflix announced that the entire first season would be available for streaming in the U.S. after the airing of the first-season finale, and in Latin America and Europe each episode would be available a few days after the episode airs in the U.S.[114] However, the first season was not released on Netflix in the U.S. until February 1, 2016.[115][116] Internationally, episodes of the second season became available the day after they aired in the U.S.[117]

Netflix is the exclusive video-on-demand provider for the series and makes the content available in all its territories, except for Australia and New Zealand.[114] In Australia, Better Call Saul premiered on the streaming service Stan[118] on February 9, 2015, acting as the service's flagship program.[119] In New Zealand, the show was exclusive to the video-on-demand service Lightbox before moving to Neon in 2020 when both services were merged.[120][121] The episodes were available for viewing within three days of broadcast in the U.S.[122]

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the series was acquired by Netflix on December 16, 2013,[123] and the first episode premiered on February 9, 2015, with the second episode released the following day. Every subsequent episode was released each week thereafter.[124] In Ireland, the series began airing on Irish TV network TG4 on October 18, 2022.[125] In India, the series was broadcast on Colors Infinity within 24 hours of the U.S. broadcast.[126]

During the final season's run in 2022, each episode would be available to stream the day they premiered on AMC+, AMC's streaming service which first launched in June 2020.[127][128] The season premiere resulted in the biggest day of new subscriber sign-ups for AMC+, and by the mid-season finale episodic viewership on the streaming service rose by 61%.[127][129] During the release of the series finale on AMC+, the app experienced an outage, causing many users to be logged out.[130] AMC later reported that first-day viewing numbers for the finale on AMC+ was four times as big as the season premiere, and called the series' final season the highest acquisition driver in the history of the streaming service.[131]

Reception

Critical response

Critical response of Better Call Saul
SeasonRotten TomatoesMetacritic
197% (8.1/10 average rating) (291 reviews)[132]78 (43 reviews)[133]
297% (8.7/10 average rating) (182 reviews)[134]85 (18 reviews)[135]
398% (8.75/10 average rating) (175 reviews)[136]87 (18 reviews)[137]
499% (8.9/10 average rating) (185 reviews)[138]87 (16 reviews)[139]
599% (8.9/10 average rating) (184 reviews)[140]92 (16 reviews)[141]
699% (9.4/10 average rating) (175 reviews)[142]94 (20 reviews)[143]

Better Call Saul has received critical acclaim and is considered to be an outstanding example of how to successfully produce a prequel and spinoff work that defies expectations.[144] Many critics have called Better Call Saul a worthy successor to Breaking Bad and some have even deemed it superior to its predecessor. In September 2019, The Guardian ranked the show at No. 48 on its list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st century, describing it as "A supremely measured character piece that has steadily improved as its central tragedy has materialised."[145] In 2021, Empire ranked Better Call Saul at No. 27 on their list of The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.[146] Also in 2021, it was voted the 23rd-best TV series of the 21st century by the BBC, as picked by 206 TV experts from around the world.[147] In September of 2022, Rolling Stone listed Better Call Saul as the 32nd greatest TV show of all time, in its updated list from 2016.[148]

The first season has a 97% approval rating on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 8.1/10 based on 291 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Better Call Saul is a quirky, dark character study that manages to stand on its own without being overshadowed by the series that spawned it."[132] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a "generally favorable" score of 78 based on 43 reviews.[133]

The second season has a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.7/10 based on 182 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Better Call Saul continues to tighten its hold on viewers with a batch of episodes that inject a surge of dramatic energy while showcasing the charms of its talented lead."[134] On Metacritic, it has a score of 85 out of 100, based on 18 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[135]

The third season has a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.75/10 based on 175 reviews. The website's critical consensus is, "Better Call Saul shows no signs of slipping in season 3, as the introduction of more familiar faces causes the inevitable transformation of its lead to pick up exciting speed."[136] On Metacritic, it has a score of 87 out of 100, based on 18 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[137]

The fourth season has a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.9/10 based on 185 reviews. The website's critical consensus states, "Well-crafted and compelling as ever, Better Call Saul deftly balances the show it was and the one it will inevitably become."[138] On Metacritic, it has a score of 87 out of 100, based on 16 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[139]

The fifth season has a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.9/10 based on 184 reviews. The website's critical consensus is, "Grounded by Bob Odenkirk's endlessly nuanced, lived-in performance, Better Call Saul's fifth season is a darkly funny, vividly realized master class in tragedy."[140] On Metacritic, it has a score of 92 out of 100 based on 16 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[141]

The sixth season has a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 9.4/10 based on 174 reviews. The website's critical consensus is, "Better Call Saul remains as masterfully in control as Jimmy McGill keeps insisting he is in this final season, where years of simmering storytelling come to a scintillating boil."[142] On Metacritic, it has a score of 94 out of 100 based on 20 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[143]

After the airing of the series finale, Stuart Jeffries of The Guardian said that the series had surprisingly surpassed its predecessor in quality, saying: "Over six series, Better Call Saul evolved into a more profound and beautiful drama about human corruption than its predecessor. It mutated into something visually more sumptuous than Breaking Bad, while never, for a moment, losing its verbal dexterity and moral compass".[149] Craig Elvy of Screen Rant also opined that the series was better than its predecessor, saying: "Jimmy McGill's spinoff leaves a very familiar legacy - sustained and enthusiastic praise from audiences and critics, capped by an ending that satisfies across the board." He went on to say: "When Better Call Saul began, many would've hoped the spinoff could either escape Breaking Bad's shadow, or somehow enhance Walt and Jesse's story with illuminating new details. Few dared dream Better Call Saul would achieve both, and the sheer ambition to create a spinoff that wholly embraces its predecessor whilst also existing in a totally different realm exemplifies why Better Call Saul has an ever-so-slight edge over Breaking Bad."[150] Jeremy Urquhart of Collider made a comparison between the quality of both series’, saying: "Breaking Bad succeeds as a crime-thriller tragedy with a fast-paced plot, and Better Call Saul works as a slower-paced, character-focused drama (with some dark comedy)". He said the list "doesn't aim to argue that one is better than the other. It's a matter of personal preference, but it's hard to deny that there are certain things Better Call Saul does better, but also some areas where it isn't quite as great as its parent show."[151]

Ratings

Viewership and ratings per season of Better Call Saul
Season Timeslot (ET) Episodes First aired Last aired Avg. viewers
(millions)
Date Viewers
(millions) 		Date Viewers
(millions)
1 Sunday 10:00 pm (premiere)
Monday 10:00 pm		 10 February 8, 2015 6.88[152] April 6, 2015 2.53[153] 3.21[154]
2 Monday 10:00 pm 10 February 15, 2016 2.57[155] April 18, 2016 2.26[156] 2.16[157]
3 10 April 10, 2017 1.81[158] June 19, 2017 1.85[159] 1.64[160]
4 Monday 9:00 pm 10 August 6, 2018 1.77[161] October 8, 2018 1.53[162] 1.49[163]
5 Sunday 10:00 pm (premiere)
Monday 9:00 pm		 10 February 23, 2020 1.60[164] April 20, 2020 1.59[165] 1.37[166]
6A Monday 9:00 pm 7 April 18, 2022 1.42[167] May 23, 2022 1.19[168] 1.27[169]
6B 6 July 11, 2022 1.16[170] August 15, 2022 1.80[171]

Accolades

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Better Call Saul

Better Call Saul has received 46 Emmy Award nominations. It has received six nominations for Outstanding Drama Series. Bob Odenkirk has received five nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Jonathan Banks and Giancarlo Esposito have each been nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series; four times for Banks and twice for Esposito. Rhea Seehorn has received a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. The series has also received six nominations for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series and one nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series.[172]

Franchise

Main article: Breaking Bad (franchise)

Better Call Saul has its own set of official multimedia spin-offs and related media within the Breaking Bad franchise. This includes a talk show, several web series and digital shorts, comic books, and an insider podcast.[173][174][175][176]

Notes

  1. ^ 4K UHDTV only available through streaming services such as AMC+ and Netflix. The originating AMC television channel does not have a 4K feed and is limited to 1080i HDTV.[5]

References

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External links

  • Better Call Saul – official site at AMC
  • Better Call Saul on Netflix  
  • Better Call Saul at IMDb  

January 13, 2023
better, call, saul, other, uses, disambiguation, american, crime, legal, drama, television, series, created, vince, gilligan, peter, gould, part, breaking, franchise, spin, gilligan, previous, series, breaking, serves, prequel, sequel, predecessor, primarily, . For other uses see Better Call Saul disambiguation Better Call Saul is an American crime and legal drama television series created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould Part of the Breaking Bad franchise it is a spin off of Gilligan s previous series Breaking Bad and serves as a prequel and sequel to its predecessor Set primarily in the early mid 2000s in Albuquerque New Mexico the series examines the transformation of Jimmy McGill Bob Odenkirk an earnest lawyer and former con artist into an egocentric criminal defense attorney known as Saul Goodman after he becomes stuck in a feud between two rival cartels The show also examines the moral decline of former police officer Mike Ehrmantraut Jonathan Banks who becomes a violent fixer for drug traffickers to support his granddaughter and widowed daughter in law The show premiered on AMC on February 8 2015 and concluded on August 15 2022 after six seasons consisting of 63 episodes Better Call SaulGenreCrime drama 1 Legal drama 2 Black comedy 3 Tragedy 4 Created byVince Gilligan Peter GouldStarringBob Odenkirk Jonathan Banks Rhea Seehorn Patrick Fabian Michael Mando Michael McKean Giancarlo Esposito Tony DaltonTheme music composerLittle BarrieComposerDave PorterCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languagesEnglishSpanishNo of seasons6No of episodes63 list of episodes ProductionExecutive producersVince Gilligan Peter Gould Mark Johnson Melissa Bernstein Thomas Schnauz Gennifer Hutchison Diane Mercer Alison Tatlock Michael MorrisProducersBob Odenkirk Nina Jack Diane Mercer Robin Sweet Gordon Smith Jonathan GlatzerProduction locationsAlbuquerque New MexicoCinematographyArthur Albert Marshall Adams Paul DonachieEditorsKelley Dixon Skip Macdonald Chris McCaleb Curtis ThurberRunning time41 69 minutesProduction companiesHigh Bridge Productions Crystal Diner Productions Gran Via Productions Sony Pictures Television StudiosDistributorSony Pictures TelevisionReleaseOriginal networkAMCPicture formatHDTV 1080i 4K UHDTV a Audio format5 1Original releaseFebruary 8 2015 2015 02 08 August 15 2022 2022 08 15 ChronologyPreceded byBreaking BadRelatedTalking Saul Slippin JimmyAt the start of the series Jimmy struggles financially while working on court appointed cases as a public defender His romantic interest and former colleague Kim Wexler Rhea Seehorn is an attorney at Hamlin Hamlin amp McGill HHM a law firm co owned by Jimmy s brilliant but unwell brother Chuck McGill Michael McKean and Chuck s law partner Howard Hamlin Patrick Fabian After hiring Jimmy as legal representation Mike provides advice and security for Nacho Varga Michael Mando an intelligent drug dealer who later becomes a mole for Gus Fring Giancarlo Esposito a drug lord who also operates a legitimate business the Los Pollos Hermanos fast food establishment Their operations are disrupted by members of the murderous Salamanca family including Lalo Salamanca Tony Dalton Odenkirk Banks and Esposito reprise their roles from Breaking Bad as do many others who make guest appearances Better Call Saul received unanimous critical acclaim with particular praise for its acting characters writing direction and cinematography many reviewers not only considered it a worthy successor to Breaking Bad but also one of the greatest television series of all time with some deeming it superior to its predecessor 6 7 8 It has garnered many nominations including a Peabody Award 46 Primetime Emmy Awards 15 Writers Guild of America Awards 14 Critics Choice Television Awards six Screen Actors Guild Awards and four Golden Globe Awards At the time of its airing the series premiere held the record for the highest rated scripted series premiere in basic cable history Contents 1 Premise 2 Cast and characters 2 1 Main cast 2 2 Recurring cast 2 2 1 Introduced in season 1 2 2 2 Introduced in season 2 2 2 3 Introduced in season 3 2 2 4 Introduced in season 4 2 2 5 Introduced in season 5 2 2 6 Introduced in season 6 2 2 7 Introduced in Breaking Bad 3 Production 3 1 Conception 3 2 Development 3 2 1 Gilligan s departure from the writing staff and return 3 3 Casting 3 3 1 Guest appearances from Breaking Bad characters 3 4 Filming 3 5 Episode title sequences 4 Episodes 4 1 Season 1 2015 4 2 Season 2 2016 4 3 Season 3 2017 4 4 Season 4 2018 4 5 Season 5 2020 4 6 Season 6 2022 5 Broadcast 6 Reception 6 1 Critical response 6 2 Ratings 6 3 Accolades 7 Franchise 8 Notes 9 References 10 External linksPremise EditBetter Call Saul follows the transformation of Jimmy McGill Bob Odenkirk a former con artist who is trying to become a respectable lawyer into the personality of the flamboyant criminal lawyer Saul Goodman a play on the phrase it s all good man over the six year period prior to the events of Breaking Bad spanning from approximately 2002 to 2008 9 10 Jimmy is inspired by his older brother Chuck to leave his Chicago area conman past when he was known as Slippin Jimmy He initially works in the mailroom at his brother s Albuquerque law firm Hamlin Hamlin amp McGill HHM where managing partner Howard Hamlin becomes his nemesis While at HHM Jimmy befriends Kim Wexler a fellow mailroom employee who completes law school and becomes one of the firm s associates and their friendship later turns romantic Jimmy is motivated by Chuck s success to finish college and complete a Juris Doctor degree through a correspondence law school the fictitious University of American Samoa 11 After attaining admission to the bar but being denied employment at HHM Jimmy s pursuits focus on low paying clients including working as a public defender He later begins to build a practice in elder law which leads to a prolonged lawsuit against a nursing home chain he discovers is defrauding its clients He and Chuck begin working together on a class action suit which Chuck quickly punts to HHM squeezing Jimmy out Jimmy begins to unravel due to Chuck s constant belittling sabotage and vindictive behavior towards him Jimmy s life and career begin to intersect with the illegal narcotics trade and feature characters and story arcs that continue into Breaking Bad Among these arcs is the uneasy truce between the Salamanca family that serves the Juarez Cartel drug interest led first by Hector Salamanca and later by his nephews Tuco Raymond Cruz and Lalo and Gus Fring a fried chicken entrepreneur whose restaurant chain is a front for the drug trade Those caught up in the ensuing turmoil include Ignacio Nacho Varga a Salamanca associate who wants to protect his father from harm and Mike Ehrmantraut a former Philadelphia police officer who becomes a fixer for Gus As his interactions with criminals continue Jimmy takes on the persona of the flamboyant colorful Saul Goodman and he starts to draw on his conman past while his work as an attorney goes from questionable to unethical to illegal In addition to selected scenes that take place within the Breaking Bad timeline the show includes flashforwards shown in black and white to events following Breaking Bad These scenes taking place in 2010 show Jimmy living as a fugitive under the identity Gene Takavic the manager of a Cinnabon store in Omaha Nebraska Cast and characters EditMain article List of characters in the Breaking Bad franchise Bob Odenkirk Jimmy McGill Saul Goodman Gene Takavic Jonathan Banks Mike Ehrmantraut Rhea Seehorn Kim Wexler Patrick Fabian Howard Hamlin Michael Mando Nacho Varga Michael McKean Chuck McGill Giancarlo Esposito Gus Fring Tony Dalton Lalo Salamanca Main cast Edit Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill Saul Goodman Gene Takavic a lawyer and a former scam artist who becomes involved with the criminal world Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut a former Philadelphia police officer working as a parking lot attendant at the Albuquerque courthouse and later a private investigator bodyguard and cleaner Rhea Seehorn as Kim Wexler a lawyer whom Jimmy met and became close friends with as she worked her way through the ranks at the Hamlin Hamlin amp McGill HHM law firm in the present she serves as Jimmy s confidante and later the two develop a romantic relationship Patrick Fabian as Howard Hamlin the managing partner at Hamlin Hamlin amp McGill first appearing as Jimmy s nemesis until it becomes clear that he was acting under Chuck McGill s orders Michael Mando as Nacho Varga an intelligent ambitious member of Hector Salamanca s drug ring who also works for his father s upholstery shop Michael McKean as Chuck McGill seasons 1 3 special guest seasons 4 and 6 Jimmy s elder brother and a founding partner of HHM who is confined to his home by electromagnetic hypersensitivity and expresses disdain for his brother s legal career Giancarlo Esposito as Gus Fring seasons 3 6 the owner of the fast food restaurant chain Los Pollos Hermanos which he uses as a front to distribute cocaine for the Mexican cartel in uneasy cooperation with the Salamanca family He nurses grudges against cartel boss Don Eladio and Salamanca patriarch Hector Salamanca Fring also desires to switch from cocaine to locally produced methamphetamine so he can end his dependence on the cartel Tony Dalton as Lalo Salamanca seasons 5 6 recurring season 4 the charismatic and psychopathic nephew of Hector and cousin of Tuco Leonel and Marco who helps run the family drug business after Hector s stroke Recurring cast Edit Introduced in season 1 Edit Kerry Condon as Stacey Ehrmantraut Mike s widowed daughter in law and the mother of Kaylee Ehrmantraut Faith Healey season 1 Abigail Zoe Lewis seasons 2 4 and Juliet Donenfeld seasons 5 6 as Kaylee Ehrmantraut Mike s granddaughter Eileen Fogarty as Mrs Nguyen owner of a nail salon which houses Jimmy s law office in its utility room Peter Diseth as Deputy District Attorney Bill Oakley Joe DeRosa as Dr Caldera a veterinarian with ties to the criminal underworld Dennis Boutsikaris as Rich Schweikart a partner at Schweikart amp Cokely Mark Proksch as Daniel Pryce Wormald a drug company employee who begins supplying Nacho and hires Mike as security Brandon K Hampton as Ernesto Chuck s assistant who works at HHM Josh Fadem as Marshall Joey Dixon Camera Guy one of the three University of New Mexico UNM film students who help Jimmy film various projects Julian Bonfiglio as Phil Sound Guy one of the three UNM film students Jimmy hires for various film projects Jeremy Shamos and Julie Ann Emery as Craig and Betsy Kettleman a county treasurer and his wife accused of embezzlement Steven Levine and Daniel Spenser Levine as Lars and Cal Lindholm twin skateboarders and small time scam artists Miriam Colon as Abuelita Salamanca Tuco s grandmother and Hector s mother Barry Shabaka Henley as Detective Sanders a Philadelphia cop who was formerly partnered with Mike on the force Mel Rodriguez as Marco Pasternak Jimmy s best friend and partner in crime in Cicero Illinois Clea DuVall as Dr Cruz a doctor who treats Chuck and suspects his electromagnetic hypersensitivity condition is psychosomatic Jean Effron as Irene Landry an elderly client of Jimmy McGill overcharged by the Sandpiper Crossing elder care home Steven Ogg as Sobchak a petty crook for hireIntroduced in season 2 Edit Ed Begley Jr as Clifford Main managing partner at Davis amp Main where Jimmy worked during season two Omar Maskati as Omar Jimmy s assistant at Davis amp Main Jessie Ennis as Erin Brill a lawyer at Davis amp Main who is ordered to shadow Jimmy Juan Carlos Cantu as Manuel Varga Nacho s father who owns an upholstery shop Vincent Fuentes as Arturo Colon a criminal associate of Hector Salamanca Rex Linn as Kevin Wachtell chairman of Mesa Verde Bank and Trust and a client of HHM and Kim Cara Pifko as Paige Novick senior legal counsel for Mesa Verde Bank and Trust and a friend of Kim Ann Cusack as Rebecca Bois Chuck s ex wife Julie Pearl as Assistant District Attorney Suzanne Ericsen Manuel Uriza as Ximenez Lecerda an associate of Hector Salamanca Hayley Holmes as Cheri Make Up Girl Drama Girl one of the three University of New Mexico film students Jimmy hires for various projectsIntroduced in season 3 Edit Kimberly Hebert Gregory as Assistant District Attorney Kyra Hay Harrison Thomas as Lyle the dedicated assistant manager of Los Pollos Hermanos Tamara Tunie as Anita a member of Mike and Stacey s support group Bonnie Bartlett as Helen Irene s friend and member of the affected class in the Sandpiper lawsuitIntroduced in season 4 Edit Don Harvey seasons 4 5 and Pat Healy season 6 as Jeff a taxi cab driver in the present that recognizes Gene as Saul Goodman Rainer Bock as Werner Ziegler an engineer hired by Gus to plan and oversee construction of his meth superlab Ben Bela Bohm as Kai a rebellious member of the crew Werner Ziegler assembles for the construction of Gus s meth superlab Stefan Kapicic as Casper a member of Werner Ziegler s team Poorna Jagannathan as Maureen Bruckner a specialist from Johns Hopkins who flew to Albuquerque to treat Hector after Gus arranged for a generous grant Keiko Agena as Viola Goto Kim Wexler s paralegalIntroduced in season 5 Edit Max Bickelhaup as Buddy Jeff s friend who later helps Gene with his schemes Sasha Feldman and Morgan Krantz as Sticky and Ron two petty crooks who are among Saul Goodman s first clients Barry Corbin as Everett Acker an old man living on leased property belonging to Mesa Verde whom Kim has to evict to make way for the bank s new call centerIntroduced in season 6 Edit Lennie Loftin as Genidowski a con man hired by Jimmy and Kim to pose as Howard s private investigator Sandrine Holt as Cheryl Hamlin Howard s estranged wife John Posey as Rand Casimiro a retired judge who is mediating the Sandpiper case John Ennis as Lenny a grocery store employee hired by Jimmy and Kim to impersonate Casimiro Carol Burnett as Marion Jeff s mother who takes a liking to Gene Kevin Sussman as Mr Lingk a rich man with cancer who is targeted by GeneIntroduced in Breaking Bad Edit Raymond Cruz as Tuco Salamanca a ruthless psychopathic drug distributor in the South Valley seasons 1 2 Cesar Garcia as No Doze Tuco s henchman season 1 Jesus Payan Jr as Gonzo Tuco s henchman season 1 T C Warner as Nurse season 1 Kyle Bornheimer as Ken an arrogant self absorbed stockbroker season 2 Stoney Westmoreland as Officer Saxton an Albuquerque Police Department officer season 2 Jim Beaver as Lawson a black market weapons dealer in Albuquerque season 2 Maximino Arciniega as Domingo Krazy 8 Molina one of Tuco s distributors seasons 2 5 Mark Margolis as Hector Salamanca Tuco s uncle and high ranking member of the cartel seasons 2 6 Debrianna Mansini as Fran a waitress at Loyola s Diner seasons 2 and 4 Daniel and Luis Moncada as Leonel and Marco Salamanca Tuco s cousins and Hector s nephews who are hitmen for the cartel seasons 2 4 6 Jennifer Hasty as Stephanie Doswell a real estate agent season 2 Tina Parker as Francesca Liddy Jimmy s receptionist seasons 3 4 6 Jeremiah Bitsui as Victor Gus s henchman seasons 3 6 Ray Campbell as Tyrus Kitt a henchman on Gus Fring s payroll seasons 3 6 JB Blanc as Dr Barry Goodman a doctor on Gus Fring s payroll seasons 3 5 Steven Bauer as Don Eladio Vuente the head of the Juarez drug cartel seasons 3 5 6 Javier Grajeda as Juan Bolsa a high level member of the Juarez drug cartel seasons 3 6 Lavell Crawford as Huell Babineaux a professional pickpocket hired by Jimmy seasons 3 6 Laura Fraser as Lydia Rodarte Quayle a Madrigal Electromotive executive and associate of Gus Fring seasons 3 5 Eric Steinig as Nick a member of Gus s security team later managed by Mike seasons 4 6 Franc Ross as Ira a burglar Jimmy hires in Breaking Bad he is the owner of Vamonos Pest who appears in Hazard Pay season 4 David Costabile as Gale Boetticher a chemist who is consulted by Gus season 4 Robert Forster as Ed Galbraith a vacuum cleaner store owner who relocates people running from the law and gives them new identities season 5 Dean Norris as Hank Schrader a DEA agent and Walter White s brother in law season 5 Steven Michael Quezada as Steven Gomez Hank s DEA partner and best friend season 5 Robert Sanchez as Harry Lipenstein a DEA agent season 5 Nigel Gibbs as Tim Roberts a detective with the Albuquerque Police Department seasons 5 6 Norbert Weisser as Peter Schuler a Madrigal Electromotive executive and associate of Gus Fring season 5 Julia Minesci as Wendy a street prostitute working out of the Crossroads motel season 6 David Ury as Spooge a small time criminal season 6 Bryan Cranston as Walter White a middle aged high school chemistry teacher who during the events of Breaking Bad becomes involved with the drug trade and enlists the services of Saul to help launder his money season 6 Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman a former student of Walter who during the events of Breaking Bad helps Walter with cooking meth season 6 John Koyama as Emilio Koyama Jesse s friend and sometime partner in the meth business season 6 Betsy Brandt as Marie Schrader Hank s widowed wife season 6 Todd Terry as SAC Austin Ramey head of the southwestern United States DEA offices season 6 Production EditConception Edit Better Call Saul was developed and co showrun by Vince Gilligan left and Peter Gould right Gould took over as sole showrunner after Gilligan left the writing staff during the third season Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould began considering a television spinoff of Breaking Bad as early as 2009 While filming the Breaking Bad episode Full Measure Gilligan asked Bob Odenkirk his thoughts on a Saul Goodman spinoff 12 In July 2012 Gilligan publicly hinted at a Goodman spinoff 13 stating that he liked the idea of a lawyer show in which the main lawyer will do anything it takes to stay out of court including settling on the courthouse steps 14 During his appearance on Talking Bad Odenkirk noted that Saul was one of the most popular characters on the show speculating that the audience likes the character because he is the program s least hypocritical figure and is good at his job 15 Gilligan noted that over the course of Breaking Bad there were a lot of what ifs their team considered such as if the show won a Primetime Emmy Award or if people would buy Los Pollos Hermanos T shirts The staff did not expect these events to come to fruition but after they did they started considering a spin off featuring Saul as a thought experiment Furthermore Saul s character on Breaking Bad became much more developed than the staff had planned as he was originally slated to appear in only three episodes With the growth of Saul s character Gilligan saw ways to explore the character further 16 Development Edit In April 2013 Better Call Saul was confirmed to be in development by Gilligan and Gould the latter wrote the Breaking Bad episode that introduced the character 17 18 In July 2013 before the second half of Breaking Bad s final season aired Gilligan said he and Gould were still working out ideas for the spin off but a deal had not yet been made 19 Netflix was one of many interested distributors but ultimately a deal was made between AMC and the Breaking Bad production company Sony Pictures Television 20 Gilligan and Gould began as co showrunners and Gilligan directed the pilot 21 Former Breaking Bad writers Thomas Schnauz and Gennifer Hutchison joined the writing staff with Schnauz serving as co executive producer and Hutchison as supervising producer 22 Also joining the initial writing staff were Bradley Paul and former Breaking Bad writer s assistant Gordon Smith 21 As Sony and AMC began to commit to a spinoff Gilligan and Gould worked on what it would be about They initially considered making it a half hour show where Saul would see various clients celebrities in guest roles in his strip mall office a format similar to Dr Katz Professional Therapist but they had no idea how to write for this type of format and fell back to planning for hour long episodes 23 17 14 Since they had used this format with Breaking Bad which Gilligan said was 25 percent humor 75 percent drama the two considered reversing that for Better Call Saul 23 While the intent was to add more humor the show remained heavy with dramatic elements with Odenkirk calling the first season 85 percent drama 15 percent comedy 24 While several of the characters are lawyers in the show Gilligan and Gould did not want to write a legal show but instead a crime show but one that would necessitate some legal elements To help in these areas the writers spoke to real lawyers and spent time observing cases at Los Angeles Superior Court observing that the bulk of the activity in these cases was downtime while waiting for others to complete actions 25 Gilligan and Gould found that the character of Saul Goodman was insufficient to carry the show by himself with Gilligan calling the character of Saul great flavoring for a show but not the substance 23 They came to realize that Saul in the Breaking Bad timeframe was a man that had come to accept himself and recognized the potential of telling the story of how Saul got to be that person 23 Gilligan and Gould had already committed to the Better Call Saul title so that in following this route they believed they had to quickly get from Jimmy McGill to Saul Goodman or they would otherwise disappoint their audience However as they wrote the show they realized we don t want to get to Saul Goodman and that s the tragedy 23 Gilligan and Gould had learned several lessons related to foreshadowing without writing the foresight for it from Breaking Bad 26 and so with Better Call Saul gave themselves more flexibility in how the show s plot would develop over its run and had no firm idea where it will end up outside the connection to Breaking Bad 23 For example Rhea Seehorn s performance as Kim Wexler during the first season significantly altered how the writers used her character in later seasons as well as slowing down the pacing of the transition of Jimmy into Saul as they gave more focus to the Jimmy Kim relationship Gilligan compared this to the impact Aaron Paul s acting had on Breaking Bad s ultimate pacing 27 In writing for Better Call Saul Gilligan and Gould recognized they were including overlaps with Breaking Bad and had ideas of characters they would include such as Gus Fring though on no set timetable within the show s development Gilligan described the writing approach as if developing two separate shows one that centers on Jimmy Saul Kim Chuck and Howard and a second on the more familiar Breaking Bad characters like Mike and Gus with some overlap as if they were giving the audience two shows for one 23 Where possible they had written in minor Breaking Bad characters in smaller parts or as Easter eggs to fans but Gilligan preferred only to include such major Breaking Bad characters as Walter or Jesse if this seemed unconstrained and satisfactory to both the production team and the audiences 23 Because of the closeness to the Breaking Bad storyline one of the writers was tasked at the start of each season to rewatch all 62 episodes of the show and verify that the scripts for the Better Call Saul season introduced no conflicts 28 As the show continued the show s brain trust consisting of script coordinators Ariel Levine and Kathleen Williams Foshee reviewed each script to help maintain the continuity with Breaking Bad including tracking minor character traits and assuring small details from the previous show were kept correct if brought up again 29 Gilligan s departure from the writing staff and return Edit Gilligan left the Better Call Saul writing staff early in the third season to focus on other projects resulting in Gould becoming sole showrunner This transition had been planned since the show s debut but Gilligan hoped to return to the writers room during the show s final season 30 He remained involved in the fourth and fifth seasons but said he had very little to do with developing the show s contents during this period Instead Gilligan reduced his role to being a director for hire for the episodes Wiedersehen and Bagman and stated these were the only scripts he read when he was not on the writing staff 31 32 33 He went on to credit Gould for maintaining the series high quality 31 Gould would bring Gilligan back to the writers room for the sixth and final season calling it wonderful to have him there so we can finish this show that we started together 34 Casting Edit Better Call Saul cast members Bob Odenkirk Rhea Seehorn Patrick Fabian Michael Mando and Giancarlo Esposito Bob Odenkirk confirmed he would reprise Saul Goodman in the starring role when the series was first announced but his character would be introduced as lawyer Jimmy McGill 18 In January 2014 it was announced that Jonathan Banks would reprise his Breaking Bad role as Mike Ehrmantraut and be a series regular 35 New cast members included Michael McKean as McGill s elder brother Chuck McKean previously guest starred in an episode of Odenkirk s Mr Show and Gilligan s X Files episode Dreamland 36 37 Rhea Seehorn auditioned and got the role of Kimberly Kim Wexler in April 2014 her character being described as prestigious attorney whose hard life is complicated by her romantic entanglements with somebody else at the firm In May 2014 Patrick Fabian was cast on the show as Howard Hamlin a Kennedy esque lawyer who s winning at life After impressing Gilligan and Gould with his audition tape and screen test Michael Mando was cast as the smart and calculating criminal Ignacio Nacho Varga 38 39 40 Mando s character had been previously mentioned but not seen in the Breaking Bad episode Better Call Saul 41 Going into the third season Giancarlo Esposito was added to the main cast as Gus Fring a drug kingpin who previously served as one of Breaking Bad s main antagonists Esposito was previously a starring cast member in Breaking Bad for the same role 42 McKean would leave the series at season s end due to his character being written out but would make appearances in the next season and the series finale 43 Tony Dalton made his first appearance as Lalo Salamanca in the fourth season and would be promoted to the main cast for the fifth 44 Similar to Nacho Lalo had been a character mentioned only by name in the same Breaking Bad episode Better Call Saul 41 Guest appearances from Breaking Bad characters Edit Before the second season Gilligan confirmed that more of the prominent characters from Breaking Bad would be making guest appearances on the spin off but remained vague on which characters were likely to be seen 45 By the next season Gilligan said that the show had been on long enough that any reuse of Breaking Bad characters would require more than just a cameo or an Alfred Hitchcock walkthrough and that their appearances would need to be essential to the story 46 Throughout the series run both Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul regularly said that if asked they would be open to reappearing on the show as Walter White and Jesse Pinkman respectively Both believed that Gilligan would have to find a sufficiently good reason to bring them on the show 46 47 Paul previously mentioned the possibility of a cameo during the first season but this fell through 48 49 The two would eventually appear together in the sixth season episode Breaking Bad which was named after the original series 50 Paul made a separate cameo in the next episode Cranston appeared again in the series finale 51 52 Dean Norris another one of Breaking Bad s cast members stated he could not be part of the earlier seasons partly due to his involvement in the CBS series Under the Dome 53 but was announced as a guest star reprising his role as Hank Schrader by the fifth season where he appeared in the episodes The Guy for This and Namaste 54 Plans were initially made to have Betsy Brandt reprise her role as Marie Schrader Hank s wife for a cameo appearance in the second season finale Klick However the writer s room objected considering the idea to be distracting for audiences 55 She would eventually appear in the series finale 56 Other Breaking Bad actors spoke of the potential of being on Better Call Saul Before the series began Anna Gunn mentioned a talk with Gilligan over possible guest appearances as Skyler White 57 Bill Burr was set to return as Patrick Kuby in the fifth season episode Dedicado a Max but scheduling fell through due to him needing to attend to a personal matter 58 59 After the series ended Gould mentioned his desire to bring back Gunn Norris Esposito and RJ Mitte for the finale but he and the writing staff could not find a proper way to have them fit into the story 60 61 Filming Edit The series is shot in Albuquerque New Mexico Shooting locations include Cottonwood Mall top and the Old Bernalillo County Courthouse bottom Principal photography for Better Call Saul s six seasons took place from June 2 2014 to February 9 2022 62 63 64 Like its predecessor Better Call Saul is set in and around Albuquerque New Mexico with filming primarily taking place at Albuquerque Studios 65 66 Notable exterior locations include the Twisters restaurant used previously in Breaking Bad for Gus s Los Pollos Hermanos a parking lot kiosk at the Albuquerque Convention Center for where Mike worked in the first few seasons the Old Bernalillo County Courthouse as the local courthouse and two nearby office buildings in the North Valley including Northrop Grumman s that collectively are used for the HHM office spaces 67 Jimmy s back office is located in an actual nail salon which the producers accommodated by working with the owners The Salamanca s restaurant is a real business in the South Valley that production modified a bit for the show but which otherwise remained open The scenes set in Omaha are filmed at Cottonwood Mall in Albuquerque production worked with Cinnabon to bring in the period specific equipment and service items for the segments and the extras in the store during these scenes are Cinnabon employees 68 The New Mexico Film Office reported that the first four seasons of Better Call Saul brought over US 120 million into the state and they have hired 1 600 crew for each season and a total of 11 300 extras 69 Additional filming was done in March 2022 after principal photography for the series ended for the opening teaser of the season six episode Point and Shoot With several crew members but no cast members on hand the scene was filmed in Leo Carrillo State Beach California This was the only time the series was filmed outside of New Mexico 70 1 00 01 1 01 29 71 Better Call Saul employs Breaking Bad s signature time jumps 72 Notably most seasons opening episode has started with a black and white flash forward to a period in the years after the finale of Breaking Bad where Saul has been relocated to Omaha Nebraska as Gene a manager of a Cinnabon store remaining paranoid about anyone discovering his past identity This was foreshadowed in the penultimate episode of Breaking Bad Granite State in which Saul tells Walter If I m lucky a month from now best case scenario I m managing a Cinnabon in Omaha 73 The show s director of photography was Arthur Albert for the first two seasons and Marshall Adams starting with season 3 74 Additionally Paul Donachie served as a cinematographer on episodes Namaste 2020 Carrot and Stick 2022 and Hit and Run 2022 75 Seasons 1 and 2 was filmed mainly on RED Dragon cameras 76 77 Starting with season 3 Panasonic VariCam Pure were incorporated due to their extra low light sensitivity 78 79 This allowed the crew to shoot extra wide exterior shots at night as well as during the day and to shoot on sets in near total darkness such as nighttime in Chuck s unelectrified house 80 For scenes requiring to film from cramped spaces Panasonic Lumix GH4 point and shoot camera was used 81 In season 4 three RED and two VariCam Pure cameras were used 78 For seasons 5 and 6 mostly Arri ALEXA LF was used 82 83 84 Episode title sequences Edit Each episode s title sequence features a different low quality image that recalls Saul Goodman s days on Breaking Bad This includes the inflatable Statue of Liberty balloon that sat atop Saul s office a drawer of burner phones kept in his desk and a bus stop bench that advertised his business Gould and Gilligan were inspired by the poor quality of early VHS tapes and the notoriously low production values of 1980s public access television and from the fact that Saul Goodman s ads on Breaking Bad were done in a similar style They intended for the title sequences to appear purposefully shitty in order to stand out from those of its contemporaries which generally had increased visual quality and production standards Some of the title sequences were put together from unused footage from Breaking Bad but others were filmed specifically to create new ones The title sequences were put together by assistant editor Curtis Thurber and scored by Little Barrie guitarist Barrie Cadogan 85 86 When Cadogan was putting the music together he was told the producers wanted a piece of music that would be cut abruptly at 15 seconds 86 As every season except for the last has ten episodes each the title credits for every season s corresponding episode number would reuse the same image However beginning with the second season each of the episode s title sequences would continue to decline in picture quality by intermittently flashing black and white and continue to lose color with each passing season This caused many to theorize that this symbolized Jimmy McGill s storyline gradually transitioning to that of his post Breaking Bad alter ego Gene Takavic whose scenes were entirely in black and white 87 88 With the final season featuring thirteen episodes instead of the usual ten the title sequences would take a new format During Nippy the title sequence features Saul Goodman s World s Greatest Lawyer mug falling off his desk and shattering on the floor as was typical during a season s tenth episode However the title image and music prematurely stops and is replaced by a blue screen recreating the effects of a home video recording on a VCR and then displayed the show s title and creator credits This is also the first episode to take place entirely after the events of Breaking Bad 89 The remaining three title sequences retain the blue background but briefly flash to an image previously unseen in the intro with a distorted version of the theme song playing underneath They then revert to the blue background again and display the title and creator credits Before the show resumes they again briefly flash to another new image that will be seen later on in the episodes 51 Episodes EditMain article List of Better Call Saul episodes Series overview for Better Call SaulSeasonEpisodesOriginally airedFirst airedLast aired110February 8 2015 2015 02 08 April 6 2015 2015 04 06 210February 15 2016 2016 02 15 April 18 2016 2016 04 18 310April 10 2017 2017 04 10 June 19 2017 2017 06 19 410August 6 2018 2018 08 06 October 8 2018 2018 10 08 510February 23 2020 2020 02 23 April 20 2020 2020 04 20 6137April 18 2022 2022 04 18 May 23 2022 2022 05 23 6July 11 2022 2022 07 11 August 15 2022 2022 08 15 Season 1 2015 Edit Main article Better Call Saul season 1 The first teaser trailer debuted on AMC on August 10 2014 and confirmed its premiere date of February 2015 90 On November 20 2014 AMC announced the series would have a two night premiere the first episode aired on Sunday February 8 2015 at 10 00 pm ET and then moved into its regular time slot the following night airing Mondays at 10 00 pm 91 It was released on Blu ray and DVD in region 1 on November 10 2015 bonus features include audio commentaries for every episode uncensored episodes deleted scenes gag reel and several behind the scenes featurettes A limited edition Blu ray set was also released with 3D packaging and a postcard vinyl of the Better Call Saul theme song by Junior Brown 92 Better Call Saul shows two timelines the first starting in 2002 where Saul Goodman goes by his birthname Jimmy McGill He schemes to represent Craig Kettleman accused of embezzlement leading to encounters with psychotic drug lord Tuco Salamanca and his lieutenant Nacho Jimmy also cares for his brother Chuck who is housebound with electromagnetic hypersensitivity While pursuing elder law Jimmy learns of seniors being defrauded by the Sandpiper retirement community As the class action lawsuit against Sandpiper grows Chuck suggests giving it to his law firm Hamlin Hamlin amp McGill Jimmy receives a small of counsel fee and a share of any future settlement but is blocked from participation Jimmy learns Chuck sabotaged his legal career out of resentment HHM brings in another firm Davis amp Main to assist with the case After the death of an old friend Jimmy finds success when D amp M offers to hire him because of his discovery of the Sandpiper case The secondary timeline takes place in 2010 following events of Breaking Bad where Saul has fled Albuquerque and hides in Nebraska as Gene Takavic He manages a Cinnabon and reminisces about his life as Saul This period would only be shown in the cold open in the first five season premieres but would be fully explored in the last four episodes of the final season Season 2 2016 Edit Main article Better Call Saul season 2 Prior to the series launch on June 19 2014 AMC renewed the series for a second season of 13 episodes to premiere in early 2016 which was later reduced to 10 episodes 21 93 It premiered on February 15 2016 and released on Blu ray and DVD in region 1 on November 15 2016 bonus features include audio commentaries for every episode and several behind the scenes featurettes 94 95 In 2002 Jimmy works as an associate at D amp M but quits after his ostentatious legal style doesn t mesh with the firm s corporate demeanor Kim is demoted by Chuck s partner Howard Hamlin because of Jimmy s actions She secures banking firm Mesa Verde as an HHM client and Howard is happy to have the business but denies her credit Kim quits HHM and opens a shared private practice with Jimmy Jimmy sabotages Chuck s work for Mesa Verde which drops HHM and hires Kim but Chuck discovers this and tricks Jimmy into confessing Nacho hires Mike Ehrmantraut to remove Tuco but Mike instead machinates his imprisonment Cartel elder and uncle of Tuco Hector Salamanca confronts Mike Mike attempts to assassinate Hector but is mysteriously interrupted In 2010 Gene accidentally locks himself in the dumpster room when closing out the Cinnabon for the night Instead of alerting police he spends the night waiting for the janitor to open the door Season 3 2017 Edit Main article Better Call Saul season 3 AMC announced on March 15 2016 that Better Call Saul was renewed for a 10 episode third season which premiered April 10 2017 96 97 It was released on Blu ray and DVD in region 1 on January 16 2018 bonus features include audio commentaries for every episode and several behind the scenes featurettes 98 In 2003 the results of the disciplinary hearing have Jimmy s law license suspended and Chuck s hypersensitivity condition is revealed to be psychosomatic After Jimmy sabotages Chuck s insurance Howard urges him to retire but Chuck sues HHM in spite Howard buys him out of the firm leading Chuck to commit suicide Gus prevents Hector s assassination and Mike attacks Hector s trucks to steal 250 000 on Gus s orders To help launder the money Gus arranges for Mike s hire as a contracted security consultant at Madrigal Hector plans to take over the business of Nacho s father so his son attempts to kill Hector by sabotaging his angina medication As the cartel prefers Gus s drug distribution over Hector s he suffers a stroke during a confrontation rendering Hector comatose In 2010 Gene points mall security guards towards a shoplifter during his lunch break Later a stressed Gene suddenly collapses during his work Season 4 2018 Edit Main article Better Call Saul season 4 Following the third season s end on June 27 2017 AMC renewed the series for a 10 episode fourth season which premiered on August 6 2018 99 100 It was released on Blu ray and DVD in region 1 on May 7 2019 bonus features include audio commentary for every episode and several behind the scenes featurettes 101 In 2003 Jimmy regains his outgoing demeanor after Howard shoulders the blame for Chuck s death Jimmy manages a cell phone store but makes more reselling prepaid phones to criminals A year later his law license reinstatement is denied over lack of remorse for Chuck After faking mourning he successfully appeals and practices as the Saul Goodman trade name Gus learns Nacho attempted to kill Hector and blackmails him into undermining the Salamancas Mike escorts engineers who evaluate Gus s industrial laundry site as a potential underground meth lab Gus hires Werner Ziegler to oversee construction but Mike is ordered to kill Werner when he tries to escape Hector recovers from his stroke but is mute and can only move his right index finger His nephew Lalo Salamanca arrives to run Hector s business learning of the construction project In 2010 Gene is hospitalized after his collapse and later discharged He becomes uneasy when a taxi driver with an Albuquerque Isotopes air freshener seems to recognize him Season 5 2020 Edit Main article Better Call Saul season 5 The series was renewed for a fifth season on July 28 2018 just prior to the airing of the fourth season 102 The fifth season was not expected to air until 2020 according to AMC s Sarah Barnett the delay was driven by talent needs 103 The 10 episode fifth season would start airing with a special Sunday broadcast on February 23 2020 with following episodes to air on Mondays 104 It was released on Blu ray and DVD in region 1 on November 24 2020 bonus features include cast and crew audio commentaries on every episode deleted scenes and various behind the scenes featurettes 105 In 2004 Jimmy s law practice as Saul Goodman draws him into Albuquerque s drug trade and he is conflicted when Howard offers him a position at HHM Kim balances her Mesa Verde and pro bono work with her own feelings for Jimmy and finds herself employing similar conman style tactics Jimmy and Kim later devise a plan to ruin Howard to settle the Sandpiper case Lalo s presence in Albuquerque forces Gus to suspend construction of his meth lab Nacho and Mike become pawns in the ongoing feud between the Salamancas and Gus After Lalo is arrested for murder he hires Jimmy to represent him and arrange bail which almost kills Jimmy After an unsuccessful attempt on Lalo s life by Gus s hired assassins after his release Lalo deduces that Nacho has betrayed him In 2010 during another lunch break Gene is approached by the taxi driver Jeff and his friend Buddy Jeff reveals he recognized Gene as Saul Goodman from when he previously lived in Albuquerque Gene admits he is living with a secret identity Season 6 2022 Edit Main article Better Call Saul season 6 AMC renewed the series for a sixth season on January 16 2020 with a scheduled premiere in 2021 106 Showrunner Peter Gould confirmed it would be the show s final season and consist of 13 episodes rather than the usual 10 107 Production experienced long delays due to COVID 19 and star Bob Odenkirk needing several weeks to fully recover from a heart attack he experienced on set 108 109 The sixth and final season was split into two halves the first half premiered on April 18 2022 while the last half premiered on July 11 2022 110 The complete season was released on Blu ray and DVD in region 1 on December 6 2022 bonus features include cast and crew audio commentaries on every episode deleted scenes outtakes and various behind the scenes featurettes 111 In 2004 Nacho attempts to flee from the Salamancas after the attempt on Lalo s life but after Gus falsely implicates him Nacho sacrifices himself in exchange for his father s safety Jimmy and Kim smear Howard s reputation thereby forcing a settlement of the Sandpiper case Howard confronts them but is murdered by Lalo After forcing Kim to act as a diversion Lalo ambushes Gus to access the meth lab under construction Gus kills Lalo with a hidden gun Mike makes Howard s death appear as a suicide and oversees the burial of Howard and Lalo beneath the lab A traumatized Kim quits the law and divorces Jimmy Several years later Jimmy has fully transformed into Saul Goodman In 2010 Gene approaches Jeff and Buddy with an offer to rob a department store After reaching out to Kim who now lives in Florida Gene devises a scheme to obtain financial identification of rich single men at bars he can sell for profit When the scheme goes wrong Buddy quits the operation Jeff is arrested and Gene is eventually caught He is extradited to Albuquerque for the trial and feigns testimony implicating Kim so she can be summoned to court He confesses to Kim and those at the trial about his crimes during the events of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul getting an 86 year sentence Jimmy is recognized as Saul in prison and gains popularity with the inmates Kim visits him and they share a cigarette before parting again Broadcast EditBetter Call Saul airs on cable network AMC The series premiere drew in 4 4 million and 4 million in the 18 49 and 25 54 demographics respectively and received an overall viewership of 6 9 million 112 This was the record for the highest rated scripted series premiere in basic cable history until it was surpassed later the same year by another AMC series Fear the Walking Dead 113 In December 2013 Netflix announced that the entire first season would be available for streaming in the U S after the airing of the first season finale and in Latin America and Europe each episode would be available a few days after the episode airs in the U S 114 However the first season was not released on Netflix in the U S until February 1 2016 115 116 Internationally episodes of the second season became available the day after they aired in the U S 117 Netflix is the exclusive video on demand provider for the series and makes the content available in all its territories except for Australia and New Zealand 114 In Australia Better Call Saul premiered on the streaming service Stan 118 on February 9 2015 acting as the service s flagship program 119 In New Zealand the show was exclusive to the video on demand service Lightbox before moving to Neon in 2020 when both services were merged 120 121 The episodes were available for viewing within three days of broadcast in the U S 122 In the United Kingdom and Ireland the series was acquired by Netflix on December 16 2013 123 and the first episode premiered on February 9 2015 with the second episode released the following day Every subsequent episode was released each week thereafter 124 In Ireland the series began airing on Irish TV network TG4 on October 18 2022 125 In India the series was broadcast on Colors Infinity within 24 hours of the U S broadcast 126 During the final season s run in 2022 each episode would be available to stream the day they premiered on AMC AMC s streaming service which first launched in June 2020 127 128 The season premiere resulted in the biggest day of new subscriber sign ups for AMC and by the mid season finale episodic viewership on the streaming service rose by 61 127 129 During the release of the series finale on AMC the app experienced an outage causing many users to be logged out 130 AMC later reported that first day viewing numbers for the finale on AMC was four times as big as the season premiere and called the series final season the highest acquisition driver in the history of the streaming service 131 Reception EditCritical response Edit Critical response of Better Call SaulSeasonRotten TomatoesMetacritic197 8 1 10 average rating 291 reviews 132 78 43 reviews 133 297 8 7 10 average rating 182 reviews 134 85 18 reviews 135 398 8 75 10 average rating 175 reviews 136 87 18 reviews 137 499 8 9 10 average rating 185 reviews 138 87 16 reviews 139 599 8 9 10 average rating 184 reviews 140 92 16 reviews 141 699 9 4 10 average rating 175 reviews 142 94 20 reviews 143 Better Call Saul has received critical acclaim and is considered to be an outstanding example of how to successfully produce a prequel and spinoff work that defies expectations 144 Many critics have called Better Call Saul a worthy successor to Breaking Bad and some have even deemed it superior to its predecessor In September 2019 The Guardian ranked the show at No 48 on its list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st century describing it as A supremely measured character piece that has steadily improved as its central tragedy has materialised 145 In 2021 Empire ranked Better Call Saul at No 27 on their list of The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time 146 Also in 2021 it was voted the 23rd best TV series of the 21st century by the BBC as picked by 206 TV experts from around the world 147 In September of 2022 Rolling Stone listed Better Call Saul as the 32nd greatest TV show of all time in its updated list from 2016 148 The first season has a 97 approval rating on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes with an average rating of 8 1 10 based on 291 reviews The website s critical consensus reads Better Call Saul is a quirky dark character study that manages to stand on its own without being overshadowed by the series that spawned it 132 Metacritic which uses a weighted average assigned a generally favorable score of 78 based on 43 reviews 133 The second season has a 97 approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 8 7 10 based on 182 reviews The website s critical consensus reads Better Call Saul continues to tighten its hold on viewers with a batch of episodes that inject a surge of dramatic energy while showcasing the charms of its talented lead 134 On Metacritic it has a score of 85 out of 100 based on 18 critics indicating universal acclaim 135 The third season has a 98 approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 8 75 10 based on 175 reviews The website s critical consensus is Better Call Saul shows no signs of slipping in season 3 as the introduction of more familiar faces causes the inevitable transformation of its lead to pick up exciting speed 136 On Metacritic it has a score of 87 out of 100 based on 18 critics indicating universal acclaim 137 The fourth season has a 99 approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 8 9 10 based on 185 reviews The website s critical consensus states Well crafted and compelling as ever Better Call Saul deftly balances the show it was and the one it will inevitably become 138 On Metacritic it has a score of 87 out of 100 based on 16 reviews indicating universal acclaim 139 The fifth season has a 99 approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 8 9 10 based on 184 reviews The website s critical consensus is Grounded by Bob Odenkirk s endlessly nuanced lived in performance Better Call Saul s fifth season is a darkly funny vividly realized master class in tragedy 140 On Metacritic it has a score of 92 out of 100 based on 16 critics indicating universal acclaim 141 The sixth season has a 99 approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 9 4 10 based on 174 reviews The website s critical consensus is Better Call Saul remains as masterfully in control as Jimmy McGill keeps insisting he is in this final season where years of simmering storytelling come to a scintillating boil 142 On Metacritic it has a score of 94 out of 100 based on 20 critics indicating universal acclaim 143 After the airing of the series finale Stuart Jeffries of The Guardian said that the series had surprisingly surpassed its predecessor in quality saying Over six series Better Call Saul evolved into a more profound and beautiful drama about human corruption than its predecessor It mutated into something visually more sumptuous than Breaking Bad while never for a moment losing its verbal dexterity and moral compass 149 Craig Elvy of Screen Rant also opined that the series was better than its predecessor saying Jimmy McGill s spinoff leaves a very familiar legacy sustained and enthusiastic praise from audiences and critics capped by an ending that satisfies across the board He went on to say When Better Call Saul began many would ve hoped the spinoff could either escape Breaking Bad s shadow or somehow enhance Walt and Jesse s story with illuminating new details Few dared dream Better Call Saul would achieve both and the sheer ambition to create a spinoff that wholly embraces its predecessor whilst also existing in a totally different realm exemplifies why Better Call Saul has an ever so slight edge over Breaking Bad 150 Jeremy Urquhart of Collider made a comparison between the quality of both series saying Breaking Bad succeeds as a crime thriller tragedy with a fast paced plot and Better Call Saul works as a slower paced character focused drama with some dark comedy He said the list doesn t aim to argue that one is better than the other It s a matter of personal preference but it s hard to deny that there are certain things Better Call Saul does better but also some areas where it isn t quite as great as its parent show 151 Ratings Edit Viewership and ratings per season of Better Call Saul Season Timeslot ET Episodes First aired Last aired Avg viewers millions Date Viewers millions Date Viewers millions 1 Sunday 10 00 pm premiere Monday 10 00 pm 10 February 8 2015 6 88 152 April 6 2015 2 53 153 3 21 154 2 Monday 10 00 pm 10 February 15 2016 2 57 155 April 18 2016 2 26 156 2 16 157 3 10 April 10 2017 1 81 158 June 19 2017 1 85 159 1 64 160 4 Monday 9 00 pm 10 August 6 2018 1 77 161 October 8 2018 1 53 162 1 49 163 5 Sunday 10 00 pm premiere Monday 9 00 pm 10 February 23 2020 1 60 164 April 20 2020 1 59 165 1 37 166 6A Monday 9 00 pm 7 April 18 2022 1 42 167 May 23 2022 1 19 168 1 27 169 6B 6 July 11 2022 1 16 170 August 15 2022 1 80 171 Accolades Edit Main article List of awards and nominations received by Better Call Saul Better Call Saul has received 46 Emmy Award nominations It has received six nominations for Outstanding Drama Series Bob Odenkirk has received five nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Jonathan Banks and Giancarlo Esposito have each been nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series four times for Banks and twice for Esposito Rhea Seehorn has received a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series The series has also received six nominations for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series and one nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series 172 Franchise EditMain article Breaking Bad franchise Better Call Saul has its own set of official multimedia spin offs and related media within the Breaking Bad franchise This includes a talk show several web series and digital shorts comic books and an insider podcast 173 174 175 176 Notes Edit 4K UHDTV only available through streaming services such as AMC and Netflix The originating AMC television channel does not have a 4K feed and is limited to 1080i HDTV 5 References Edit Jensen Jeff January 28 2015 Better Call Saul Entertainment Weekly Archived from the original on April 2 2015 Retrieved April 1 2015 Meslow Scott April 10 2017 Better Call Saul Is Finally Becoming Breaking Bad GQ Archived from the original on April 19 2017 Retrieved November 21 2018 Lowry Brian January 21 2015 TV Review Better Call Saul Variety Archived from the original on April 11 2015 Retrieved April 1 2015 Thomas Kaitlin August 2 2018 Better Call Saul Has Evolved Into One of TV s Greatest Tragedies TV Guide Archived from the original on August 5 2018 Retrieved August 5 2018 Saril Sarah August 16 2022 Better Call Saul season 6 is now available to stream here s how to watch the critically acclaimed drama s final episodes Business Insider Archived from the original on August 28 2022 Retrieved November 3 2022 Heritage Stuart October 11 2018 S all good man How Better Call Saul 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Bad Spin Off Better Call Saul TV Wise Archived from the original on May 3 2015 Retrieved January 28 2015 Munn Patrick January 27 2015 Netflix UK Unveils Trailer For Breaking Bad Spin Off Better Call Saul TV Wise Archived from the original on May 2 2015 Retrieved January 28 2015 Better Call Saul Irish TV Guide On TV Tonight Archived from the original on October 19 2022 Retrieved October 19 2022 Bansal Shilpa February 16 2016 Better Call Saul Season 2 India Premiere Where to watch Episode 1 Switch on TV tonight Spoilers International Business Times Archived from the original on April 4 2016 Retrieved April 7 2016 a b Bonomolo Cameron April 19 2022 Better Call Saul Season 6 Premiere Sets Records for AMC and AMC ComicBook com Archived from the original on April 23 2022 Retrieved July 26 2022 Hilliard Wesley October 1 2020 AMC launches on Apple TV Channels for 8 99 per month Apple Insider Archived from the original on June 28 2022 Retrieved July 26 2022 Lafayette Jon May 31 2022 Better Call Saul Driving Subscriptions for AMC Plus Broadcasting amp Cable Archived from the original on June 1 2022 Retrieved July 26 2022 Timothy Adams August 15 2022 Better Call Saul Series Finale Crashes AMC ComicBook com Archived from the original on August 16 2022 Retrieved August 16 2022 Maas Jennifer August 22 2022 Better Call Saul Series Finale Viewership More Than Quadruples From Season 6 Premiere on AMC Variety Archived from the original on August 22 2022 Retrieved August 22 2022 a b Better Call Saul Season 1 Rotten Tomatoes Archived from the original on October 29 2019 Retrieved July 5 2019 a b Better Call Saul Season 1 Metacritic Archived from the original on February 18 2020 Retrieved February 9 2015 a b Better Call Saul Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Archived from the original on October 17 2016 Retrieved July 24 2018 a b Better Call Saul Season 2 Metacritic Archived from the original on July 19 2019 Retrieved February 11 2016 a b Better Call Saul Season 3 Rotten Tomatoes Archived from the original on May 15 2016 Retrieved July 5 2019 a b Better Call Saul Season 3 Metacritic Archived from the original on December 17 2018 Retrieved April 13 2017 a b Better Call Saul Season 4 Rotten Tomatoes Archived from the original on December 5 2019 Retrieved August 16 2018 a b Better Call Saul Season 4 Metacritic Archived from the original on August 9 2018 Retrieved August 10 2018 a b Better Call Saul Season 5 Rotten Tomatoes Archived from the original on January 25 2021 Retrieved October 11 2020 a b Better Call Saul Season 5 Metacritic Archived from the original on February 7 2020 Retrieved March 27 2020 a b Better Call Saul Season 6 Rotten Tomatoes Retrieved April 14 2022 a b Better Call Saul Season 6 Metacritic Retrieved April 5 2022 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint url status link Connolly Kelly February 6 2020 Better Call Saul Review Jimmy Becomes Saul Goodman in a Fantastically Devastating Season 5 TV Guide Archived from the original on February 6 2020 Retrieved May 7 2020 The 100 best TV shows of the 21st century The Guardian September 16 2019 Archived from the original on November 1 2019 Retrieved November 3 2019 The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time Empire March 24 2021 Archived from the original on April 15 2021 Retrieved April 15 2021 The 100 greatest TV series of the 21st Century BBC October 18 2021 Retrieved November 1 2021 Sepinwall Alan September 26 2022 The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time Rolling Stone Retrieved September 29 2022 Jeffries Stuart August 16 2022 More profound than Breaking Bad goodbye Better Call Saul the show like nothing else on TV The Guardian Retrieved November 1 2022 Elvy Craig September 27 2022 Yes Better Call Saul Is Better Than Breaking Bad Screen Rant Retrieved November 1 2022 Urquhart Jeremy November 2 2022 5 Ways Better Call Saul Bettered Breaking Bad amp 5 Ways It Didn t Collider Retrieved November 5 2022 Kondolojy Amanda February 10 2015 Sunday Cable Ratings The Walking Dead Tops Night Better Call Saul Talking Dead The Real Housewives of Atlanta amp More TV by the Numbers Archived from the original on February 10 2015 Retrieved February 10 2015 Kondolojy Amanda April 7 2015 Monday Cable Ratings Monday Night Raw Tops Night Love amp Hip Hop Better Call Saul Black Ink Crew amp More TV by the Numbers Archived from the original on April 10 2015 Retrieved April 7 2015 Better Call Saul Season One Ratings TV Series Finale April 7 2015 Archived from the original on November 15 2021 Retrieved July 26 2017 Welch Alex February 17 2016 Monday cable ratings WWE Raw stays steady Better Call Saul premieres low TV by the Numbers Archived from the original on February 19 2016 Retrieved February 17 2016 Welch Alex April 19 2016 Monday cable ratings Better Call Saul finale holds steady NBA Playoffs soar TV by the Numbers Archived from the original on April 20 2016 Retrieved April 19 2016 Better Call Saul Season Two Ratings TV Series Finale April 19 2016 Archived from the original on November 15 2021 Retrieved July 26 2017 Welch Alex April 11 2017 Monday cable ratings Better Call Saul premieres low Love amp Hip Hop ticks up TV by the Numbers Archived from the original on April 12 2017 Retrieved April 12 2017 Welch Alex June 20 2017 Monday cable ratings Better Call Saul season finale ticks up TV by the Numbers Archived from the original on June 21 2017 Retrieved June 20 2017 Better Call Saul Season Three Ratings TV Series Finale June 27 2017 Archived from the original on November 13 2020 Retrieved July 26 2017 Welch Alex August 7 2018 Monday cable ratings Better Call Saul returns down WWE Raw slips TV by the Numbers Archived from the original on August 8 2018 Retrieved August 7 2018 Welch Alex October 9 2018 Monday cable ratings Better Call Saul finale holds steady Love amp Hip Hop Hollywood dips TV by the Numbers Archived from the original on October 10 2018 Retrieved October 9 2018 Better Call Saul Season Four Ratings TV Series Finale October 9 2018 Archived from the original on November 13 2020 Retrieved October 10 2018 Metcalf Mitch February 25 2020 Updated ShowBuzzDaily s Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals amp Network Finals 2 23 2020 Showbuzz Daily Archived from the original on February 25 2020 Retrieved February 25 2020 Metcalf Mitch April 21 2020 Updated ShowBuzzDaily s Top 150 Monday Cable Originals amp Network Finals 4 20 2020 Showbuzz Daily Archived from the original on April 21 2020 Retrieved April 21 2020 Better Call Saul Season Five Ratings TV Series Finale April 21 2020 Archived from the original on November 13 2020 Retrieved April 21 2020 Metcalf Mitch April 19 2022 ShowBuzzDaily s Monday 4 18 2022 Top 150 Cable Originals amp Network Finals Updated ShowBuzzDaily Archived from the original on April 19 2022 Retrieved April 19 2022 Salem Mitch May 24 2022 ShowBuzzDaily s Monday 5 23 2022 Top 150 Cable Originals amp Network Finals Updated ShowBuzzDaily Retrieved May 24 2022 Better Call Saul Season Six Ratings TV Series Finale August 16 2022 Retrieved August 16 2022 Salem Mitch July 12 2022 ShowBuzzDaily s Monday 7 11 2022 Top 150 Cable Originals amp Network Finals Updated ShowBuzzDaily Retrieved July 12 2022 Salem Mitch August 16 2022 ShowBuzzDaily s Monday 8 15 2022 Top 150 Cable Originals amp Network Finals Updated ShowBuzzDaily Retrieved August 16 2022 Better Call Saul Emmys com Academy of Television Arts amp Sciences Archived from the original on May 22 2018 Retrieved December 12 2020 Petski Denise February 12 2016 Talking Saul To Follow Better Call Saul s Premiere And Season Finale On AMC Deadline Hollywood Archived from the original on February 13 2016 Retrieved February 12 2016 Maas Jennifer February 10 2022 Better Call Saul Final Season Gets Premiere Dates for Both Halves Variety Archived from the original on February 10 2022 Retrieved February 10 2022 Gonzalez Sandra February 4 2015 AMC unveils Better Call Saul digital comic book ahead of series premiere Mashable Archived from the original on May 9 2016 Retrieved May 9 2016 Better Call Saul Insider Podcast Apple Archived from the original on October 14 2020 Retrieved October 8 2020 External links EditBetter Call Saul at Wikipedia s sister projects Media from Commons Quotations from Wikiquote Travel information from Wikivoyage Data from Wikidata Better Call Saul official site at AMC Better Call Saul on Netflix Better Call Saul at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Better Call Saul amp oldid 1132069266, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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