Production is underway on the first episode of AMC’s Breaking Bad prequel spin-off, Better Call Saul, and apparently the cable network is extremely pleased with the direction co-showrunners Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould are taking the new series.
In the ultimate vote of confidence in their new series, AMC has announced a 13-episode Better Call Saul renewal for Season 2 that will premiere in early 2016. Why not late 2015, you wonder? That’s because AMC has also pushed back the series premiere into early 2015 from its previous November 2014 target. Instead, all 10 episodes of Better Call Saul Season 1 will piggyback off the latter half of Season 5 of The Walking Dead on Sunday evenings.
Breaking Bad creator and showrunner Vince Gilligan is directing the Better Call Saul pilot episode starring Bob Odenkirk as the morally-challenged lawyer. His co-showrunner, Gould, created the character of Saul Goodman during the second season of Breaking Bad.
“When introducing any series, especially one with the DNA of Breaking Bad, there are countless factors to consider in making sure the show gets the launch it deserves,” AMC president Charlie Collier stated in the announcement. “We have a strong history with Vince, Peter, Bob, the studio and so many involved with this production; we are enjoying the process on Saul and all share a focus on making it a true television event. No half measures.”
To sweeten the announcement, AMC passed along the following first image from the Better Call Saul pilot featuring from left to right: Odenkirk, Gould and Gilligan.
