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Better Call Saul

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For the Breaking Bad episode of the same name that also introduced this character, see Better Call Saul (Breaking Bad).
For the Homeland episode of the same name, see Better Call Saul (Homeland).
Better Call Saul
File:Better Call Saul logo.png
GenreCrime drama[1]
Black comedy[2]
Created byVince Gilligan
Peter Gould
StarringBob Odenkirk
Jonathan Banks
Rhea Seehorn
Patrick Fabian
Michael Mando
Michael McKean
Theme music composerLittle Barrie
ComposerDave Porter
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersVince Gilligan
Peter Gould
Mark Johnson
Melissa Bernstein
ProducersBob Odenkirk
Nina Jack
Diane Mercer
Production locationAlbuquerque, New Mexico
CinematographyArthur Albert
Running time42–53 minutes
Production companiesHigh Bridge Productions
Crystal Diner Productions
Gran Via Productions
Sony Pictures Television
Original release
NetworkAMC
ReleaseFebruary 8, 2015 (2015-02-08) –
present
Related
Breaking Bad

Better Call Saul is an American television drama series created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. It is a prequel/spin-off of Breaking Bad, which was also created by Gilligan.[3] Set in 2002, Better Call Saul follows the story of small-time lawyer James Morgan "Jimmy" McGill (Bob Odenkirk), six years before his appearance on Breaking Bad as Saul Goodman; events after the original series are briefly explored.[4]

The first season, which premiered on AMC on February 8, 2015,[5] consists of 10 episodes. In June 2014, a second season was ordered, with the episodes expected to air in early 2016.[6]

Production

Conception

In July 2012, Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan hinted at a possible spin-off about Saul Goodman.[7] In a July 2012 interview, Gilligan said he liked "the idea of a lawyer show in which the main lawyer will do anything it takes to stay out of a court of law", including settling on the courthouse steps.[8]

In April 2013, the series was confirmed to be in development by Gilligan and Gould; the latter wrote the Breaking Bad episode that introduced the character.[9]

Casting

Bob Odenkirk stars as Saul Goodman, the eponymous character of the show. In January 2014, it was announced that Jonathan Banks would reprise his Breaking Bad role as Mike Ehrmantraut and be a series regular.[10] Aaron Paul announced having had "serious talks" with Gilligan for possible guest appearances,[11] but later told The Huffington Post it was not going to happen.[12] Dean Norris, another Breaking Bad alumnus, announced that he would not be appearing, partly due to his involvement in the CBS series Under the Dome.[13] Anna Gunn also mentioned a "talk" with Gilligan over possible guest appearances.[14]

Michael McKean, who previously guest starred on an episode of Odenkirk's Mr. Show and The X-Files episode "Dreamland" written by Vince Gilligan, was cast as Saul's brother Chuck.[15] The cast also includes Patrick Fabian as Howard Hamlin, Rhea Seehorn as Kim Wexler, and Michael Mando as Ignacio "Nacho" Varga.[16] In October 2014, Kerry Condon was cast[17] as Stacey Ehrmantraut, Mike's daughter-in-law. In November 2014, it was announced that Julie Ann Emery and Jeremy Shamos had been cast as Betsy and Craig Kettleman, described as "the world's squarest outlaws."[18]

Development history

By July 2013, the series had yet to be green-lit.[19] Netflix was one of many interested distributors, but ultimately a deal was made between AMC and Breaking Bad production company Sony Pictures Television.[20] Gilligan and Gould serve as co-showrunners and Gilligan directed the pilot.[6] 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.[21] Also on the writing staff are Bradley Paul, and Gordon Smith, who was a writer's assistant on Breaking Bad.[6]

In developing the series, the producers considered making the show a half-hour comedy,[9] but ultimately chose an hour-long format more typical of drama.[8] In October 2014, Odenkirk called the show "85 percent drama, 15 percent comedy."[22] 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.[23] Better Call Saul also employs Breaking Bad's signature time jumps.[24]

As filming began on June 2, 2014,[25] Gilligan expressed some concern regarding the possible disappointment from the series' turnout, in terms of audience reception.[26][27]

On June 19, 2014, AMC announced it had renewed the series for a second season of 13 episodes to premiere in early 2016,[6] however, it was later reduced to 10 episodes.[28] The first teaser trailer debuted on AMC on August 10, 2014, and confirmed its premiere date of February 2015.[29] In November 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.[5] Gilligan has confirmed the likelihood of prominent characters from Breaking Bad making guest appearances, but has remained vague on which characters are to be seen.[30]

Several Breaking Bad directors returned to direct episodes, including Michelle MacLaren, Terry McDonough, Colin Bucksey, and Adam Bernstein.[4][31] Bryan Cranston is scheduled to direct an episode in 2015.[32]

Like its predecessor, Better Call Saul is set and filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[33]

Cast and characters

Bob Odenkirk plays title character Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul.

Main cast

Recurring cast

  • Jeremy Shamos and Julie Ann Emery as Craig and Betsy Kettleman, a county treasurer and his wife, accused of embezzlement.
  • Kerry Condon as Stacey Ehrmantraut, Mike's daughter-in-law and the mother of Kaylee Ehrmantraut.
  • Steven Levine and Daniel Spenser Levine as Lars and Cal Lindholm, twin skateboarders and small-time scam artists.
  • Míriam Colón as Tuco's grandmother.
  • Eileen Fogarty as Mrs. Nguyen, owner of a nail salon which houses Jimmy's law office (and home) in its back room.
  • Mel Rodriguez as Marco Pasternak, Jimmy's best friend and partner-in-crime in Cicero, Illinois.
  • Joe DeRosa as a shady veterinarian who serves as Mike Ehrmantraut's liaison in finding illegal work.

Breaking Bad character reprises

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)

Broadcast

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. However, the first season was not released on Netflix in the U.S. when scheduled, and according to Jim Maiella, communication manager at AMC, it will be released in January or February 2016.[37]

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.[38] In Australia, Better Call Saul premiered on the streaming service Stan[39] on February 9, 2015, acting as the service's flagship program.[40] In New Zealand, the show is exclusive to the New Zealand-based subscription video-on-demand service, Lightbox.[41] The episodes were available for viewing within three days of broadcast in the U.S.[42]

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the series was acquired by Netflix on December 16, 2013[43] and the first episode premiered on February 9, 2015, with the second episode released the following day. Every subsequent episode was uploaded each week thereafter.[44]

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.[45] 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.[46]

Reception

Critical response

Better Call Saul has received critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has a score of 100%, based on 61 reviews, with an average rating of 8.1/10. The site'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."[47] On the review aggregator website Metacritic, the first season thus far has a score of 78 out of 100, based on 43 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[48]

In his review of the two-episode premiere, Hank Stuever of The Washington Post graded it a "B+" and wrote the series "is right in line with the tone and style of the original, now-classic series", and that it "raises more questions in two hours than it will readily answer".[49] Stephen Marche of Esquire wrote that the first few episodes were better than those of Breaking Bad.[50] Kirsten Acuna of Business Insider declared the initial episodes "everything you could possibly want from a spinoff television series".[51] Alesandra Stanley of The New York Times wrote, "Better Call Saul is better than good: It's delightful – in a brutal, darkly comic way, of course."[52] Vulture writer Eric Konisberg noted the show was special as it was "the first spinoff of this golden age of premium cable."[53]

Awards and accolades

Year Ceremony Category Recipients Result
2015 5th Critics' Choice Television Awards[54] Best Actor in a Drama Series Bob Odenkirk Won
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Jonathan Banks Won
31st TCA Awards[55] Outstanding New Program Better Call Saul Won
Individual Achievement in Drama Bob Odenkirk Nominated
67th Primetime Emmy Awards[56] Outstanding Drama Series Better Call Saul Nominated
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Bob Odenkirk Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Jonathan Banks Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Gordon Smith ("Five-O") Nominated
67th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series Kelly Dixon ("Five-O") Nominated
Kelly Dixon & Chris McCaleb ("Marco") Nominated
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series Phillip W. Palmer, Larry Benjamin, Kevin Valentine ("Marco") Nominated

Home media

The first season was released on Blu-ray and DVD in region 1 on November 10, 2015. The set contains all 10 episodes, plus 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 be released with 3D packaging and a postcard vinyl of the Better Call Saul theme song by Junior Brown.[57]

References

  1. ^ Jensen, Jeff (January 28, 2015). "Better Call Saul". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  2. ^ Lowry, Brian (January 21, 2015). "TV Review: 'Better Call Saul'". Variety. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  3. ^ Cornet, Roth (September 11, 2013). "Breaking Bad Spinoff Series Better Call Saul Confirmed". IGN. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Hibberd, James (July 11, 2014). "'Better Call Saul': New photos, details from 'Breaking Bad' spin-off". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Roots, Kimberly (November 20, 2014). "Better Call Saul Gets Two-Night February Premiere on AMC". TVLine. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d Kondolojy, Amanda (June 19, 2014). "'Better Call Saul' Renewed for Second Season by AMC; First Season Pushed Back to 2015". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  7. ^ "Comic-Con Q&A: Vince Gilligan on 'Breaking Bad'". Deadline.com. July 15, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  8. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (September 11, 2013). "'Breaking Bad' Saul Goodman Spinoff A Go At AMC, Will Serve As Prequel To Original". Deadline.com. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  9. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (April 9, 2013). "AMC Eyes 'Breaking Bad' Spinoff Toplined By Bob Odenkirk". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  10. ^ Kenneally, Tim (January 27, 2014). "'Breaking Bad' Prequel 'Better Call Saul' Enlists Jonathan Banks". The Wrap. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  11. ^ Pearson, Ryan (March 9, 2014). "Aaron Paul wants in, Dean Norris out for 'Better Call Saul,' the 'Breaking Bad' spinoff". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  12. ^ Whitney, Erin (June 13, 2014). "Aaron Paul Offers Two Different 'Better Call Saul' Scenarios For Jesse Pinkman". The Huffington Post. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  13. ^ Dekel, Jonathan (July 3, 2014). "Dean Norris says appearance on Better Call Saul unlikely: CBS, exec Les Moonves 'won't let me do it'". The National Post. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  14. ^ Dos Santos, Kristin (May 13, 2014). "Anna Gunn Coming to Breaking Bad Spinoff? Star Reveals There's Been Talk—Plus, Why We're Dying Over Gracepoint!". E! Online. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  15. ^ Friedlander, Whitney (April 30, 2014). "Michael McKean Joins 'Breaking Bad' Prequel 'Better Call Saul'". Variety. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  16. ^ Friedlander, Whitney (July 11, 2014). "'Better Call Saul': Cast, Timeline Details and New Photos". Variety. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  17. ^ Kelly, Aoife (October 1, 2014). "Irish actress Kerry Condon scores role in 'Breaking Bad' spin-off 'Better Call Saul'". The Independent. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  18. ^ Birnbaum, Debra (November 12, 2014). "'Better Call Saul' Adds Julie Ann Emery and Jeremy Shamos to Cast". Variety. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  19. ^ Molloy, Tim (July 2, 2013). "Breaking Bad Creator Vince Gilligan: Saul Goodman Spinoff Moving 'Full Speed Ahead'". The Wrap. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  20. ^ Guthrie, Melissa; Rose, Lacey (September 18, 2013). "How AMC Almost Lost Breaking Bad Spinoff Better Call Saul to Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  21. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (December 20, 2013). "'Breaking Bad' Writers Join 'Better Call Saul' Staff". Variety. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  22. ^ Sandberg, Bryn Elise (October 27, 2014). "Bob Odenkirk on 'Better Call Saul': "It's Total Drama"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  23. ^ Talking Bad. Episode 3. August 25, 2013. AMC.
  24. ^ Snierson, Dan (December 31, 2013). "'Breaking Bad' creator Vince Gilligan on the finale, 'Better Call Saul' and his acting debut on 'Community'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 4, 2014. We think, by and large, this show will be a prequel, but the wonderful thing about the fractured chronology we employed on Breaking Bad for many years is the audience will not be thrown by us jumping around in time. So it's possible that we may indeed do that, and we'll see the past and perhaps the future.
  25. ^ O'Neal, Sean (June 3, 2014). "It's time to begin overanalyzing the first Better Call Saul set photos". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  26. ^ Toomer, Jessica (June 3, 2014). "Vince Gilligan Admits His 'Breaking Bad' Spinoff Might Be A Mistake". The Huffington Post. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  27. ^ Roberts, Katie (June 3, 2014). "Vince Gilligan Says 'Better Call Saul' Might Be a 'Mistake'". Moviefone. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  28. ^ Dayton, Lee (July 31, 2015). "Photos – First Look at Better Call Saul Season 2". AMC. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  29. ^ Hooton, Christopher (August 11, 2014). "Better Call Saul: First teaser trailer shows younger Saul, confirms release date". The Independent. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  30. ^ Bernardino, Shiena (May 20, 2015). "'Better Call Saul' season 2 air date, spoilers, plot news: More 'Breaking Bad' appearances, major character to die next season?". Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  31. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 11, 2014). "Director Michelle MacLaren Inks HBO Deal". Deadline.com. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  32. ^ Stern, Marlow (August 1, 2014). "Bryan Cranston on Walter White's Future, Directing 'Better Call Saul,' and Hillary 2016". The Daily Beast. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  33. ^ Christine (June 2, 2014). "'Breaking Bad' prequel 'Better Call Saul' begins filming in Albuquerque, NM today!". On Location Vacations. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  34. ^ Birnbaum, Debra (February 6, 2015). "'Better Call Saul' Premiere: Meet Jimmy McGill's Love Interest". Variety. Penske Corporation. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  35. ^ Aguilera, Leanne (March 16, 2015). "'Better Call Saul's Rhea Seehorn on Kim and Jimmy's Complicated Past: 'She Loves Him'". Entertainment Tonight. CBS Corporation. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  36. ^ Gilligan, Vince (March 2, 2015). Insider Podcast [105 Better Call Saul] (podcast). Albuquerque: iTunes. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  37. ^ Moore, Kasey (April 15, 2015). "'Better Call Saul' not coming to Netflix US until early 2016". What's on Netflix. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  38. ^ Spangler, Todd (December 16, 2013). "Netflix to Stream 'Better Call Saul' After AMC Airs 'Breaking Bad' Spinoff in 2014". Variety. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  39. ^ "Stan launches on Australia Day". TV Tonight. January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  40. ^ "Video streaming service Stan to launch on Australia Day". mUmBRELLA. January 22, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  41. ^ "Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul coming to Lightbox". The New Zealand Herald. November 27, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  42. ^ "The court is in session: Better Call Saul on Lightbox". Scoop. January 29, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  43. ^ Munn, Patrick (December 16, 2013). "Netflix UK & Ireland Inks SPT Deal For Exclusive Rights To 'Breaking Bad' Spin-Off 'Better Call Saul'". TV Wise. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  44. ^ Munn, Patrick (January 27, 2015). "Netflix UK Unveils Trailer For 'Breaking Bad' Spin-Off 'Better Call Saul'". TV Wise. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  45. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (February 9, 2015). "'The Walking Dead' Returns to 15.6 Million Viewers + 'Better Call Saul' is Biggest Series Premiere in Cable History". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  46. ^ Patten, Dominic (August 24, 2015). "'Fear The Walking Dead' Debut Ratings Draw 10.1M Viewers, Shatters Cable Records". deadline.com. Deadline.com. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  47. ^ "Better Call Saul: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  48. ^ "Better Call Saul : Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  49. ^ Stuever, Hank (January 13, 2015). "Midseason TV 2015: Better Call Saul". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  50. ^ Marche, Stephen (January 21, 2015). "Better Call Saul Review: The Last Hurrah of Difficult Men". Esquire. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  51. ^ Acuna, Kirsten (January 21, 2015). "Breaking Bad Fans Will Love Better Call Saul". Business Insider. Business Insider Inc. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  52. ^ Stanley, Alessandra (February 5, 2015). "Meth King's Lawyer: The Early Years". The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  53. ^ Konisberg, Eric (January 27, 2015). "Breaking Bob: With Better Call Saul, Odenkirk Steps Into the Spotlight". Vuture. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  54. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (May 31, 2015). "Critics' Choice Television Awards: HBO, Better Call Saul, Taraji P. Henson and Amy Schumer Among Big Winners". TVLine. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  55. ^ Ausiello, Michael (August 8, 2015). "TCA Awards 2015: Empire, Jon Hamm, Amy Schumer, Americans, Fosters and John Oliver Among Winners". TVLine. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  56. ^ Hipes, Patrick (July 16, 2015). "Emmy Nominations 2015 – Full List". Deadline.com. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  57. ^ Lambert, David (September 22, 2015). "Better Call Saul - Sony's Official Press Release for 'Season 1' on DVD and Blu-ray". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
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