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'Breaking Bad' spin-off 'Better Call Saul': Co-creator Vince Gilligan reveals details

'Breaking Bad' spin-off 'Better Call Saul' will reportedly debut in 2015. 'Breaking Bad' character Saul Goodman, portrayed by actor Bob Odenkirk, will be the protagonist of the new drama.

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Lewis Jacobs/AMC/AP
'Breaking Bad' actor Bob Odenkirk (l., with producers Vince Gilligan, r., and Peter Gould, center) stars on the new TV series 'Better Call Saul.'
  • By Molly Driscoll Staff Writer

It’s no easy task launching a spin-off of a TV series that’s been called the best television drama of all time.

However, “Breaking Bad” creator Vince Gilligan and the others working behind the scenes of the new show will have a little more time to do so – “Saul” was set to premiere this fall but will now probably debut sometime at the beginning of 2015.

“Better Call Saul” will focus on “Bad” character Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), a lawyer whose clients included Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) in the original series. “Saul” has already been renewed by AMC for a second season – the first will consist of ten episodes and the second will consist of 13, according to IndieWire. 

Gilligan, who is the co-creator of "Saul," recently spoke about the show at the Television Critics Association press tour, calling the show a “period piece” because it’s set in 2002, according to the Washington Post. 

Others starring on the show besides Odenkirk will include “For Your Consideration” actor Michael McKean as well as actor Jonathan Banks, Michael Mando, Patrick Fabian, and Rhea Seehorn. 

According to IndieWire, Gilligan didn’t outright dismiss the idea of “Saul” jumping forward in time, despite its 2002 setting.

“We like jumping around in time," he said during the TCA press event. "I would definitely point you in the direction that anything that's possible in the world of 'Breaking Bad' is possible.”

“Bad” aired on AMC from 2008 to 2013 and won the Outstanding Drama Series at the Emmy Awards in 2013. Cranston won Outstanding Actor in a Drama Emmys in 2008, 2009, and 2010, while Paul picked up Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Emmys in 2010 and 2012 and actress Anna Gunn won an Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Emmy in 2013. The series also won the Best Television Series – Drama award at the Golden Globes this past January with Cranston also picking up the Best Actor in a TV Series – Drama prize. The show was also the recipient of many other awards.

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