After an impressive six-season run, Better Call Saul has come to an end. A prequel to the global phenomenon Breaking Bad (2008-2013), the spin-off follows lawyer Saul Goodman in the events leading up to, and after, the original series.
Better Call Saul has garnered acclaim from both critics and fans who deem it to be a worthy successor to the original series. Between the efforts of the cast, direction, writing and its overall production, there are plenty of interesting aspects about the making of the series.
The Cast Lived Together During Filming
The performances of the cast of Better Call Saul compliment each other and make for a compelling watch for viewers. This is due to the fact that, in real life, the actors are rather close, to the point of being roommates during filming.
Lead actor Bob Odenkirk revealed that fellow cast members Rhea Seehorn, Patrick Fabian, and Josh Faden stay at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Odenkirk mentioned that the four of them often have dinner or go out hiking together between shoots (via NME).
The Show Was Originally Conceived As A Comedy
Better Call Saul has spawned many memes thanks to its blend of humor within its dramatic storyline. Given Saul Goodman's rather comedic presence in Breaking Bad, as well as Bob Odenkirk's background as a comedian it may not come as a surprise that the spin-off was initially planned as a comedy.
Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, revealed "We thought it might be a half-hour sitcom" when Better Call Saul was being developed. “We thought about ripping off Dr Katz. Week in and week out famous comics would come in with their legal problems. But we knew nothing about writing straight-up comedy" he explained (via VOX).
Vince Gilligan Got The Idea For A Saul Spin-Off Early Into Breaking Bad
Saul Goodman first appeared in season 2 of Breaking Bad and remained part of the core cast until the end of the series. This is in part due to his popularity amongst fans and Bob Odenkirk's charming performance.
Saul was originally only supposed to be in four Breaking Bad episodes, but creator Vince Gilligan realized the comic relief was essential to the plot, because "Walt needed a consigliere" in the criminal underworld (via VOX). As early as season 3, according to Bob Odenkirk, Gilligan approached him to ask, "What do you think about a spinoff? I think there’s a show in this" (via Rolling Stone).
Bob Odenkirk Initially Didn't Want To Do A Spin-Off
As much as Better Call Saul's lead actor Bob Odenkirk enjoyed his experience playing the lawyer on Breaking Bad, but was hesitant to jump into doing a full series as the lead actor. Odenkirk was initially reluctant to take on the spin-off due to spending time apart from his children.
However, his son told him to accept the job. “When my son heard I wasn’t doing it, he said, ‘You’re going to disappoint a lot of people.’" Bob explained. "I said 'I’m going to disappoint a lot of strangers.’ [his son] said, ‘Well, actually, a lot of them are my friends'" convincing Bob to take on the role (via Radio Times).
Better Call Saul Initially Was Just A Joke
Saul Goodman provided comic relief to some of the darkest storylines in Breaking Bad, which is no surprise with Bob Odenkirk's background in comedy. The idea that a character like Saul could be a leading man like Walter White is a little preposterous at first consideration, including for the show's writers.
Showrunner Vince Gilligan revealed that a cameraman on Breaking Bad joked to Bob Odenkirk, "can I get a job in the sequel?" which became a running joke. "We joked about it so often in the writers' room we thought maybe it's not a joke. By the time 'Breaking Bad' wrapped up, we started talking to Sony," Gilligan explained (via Entertainment Weekly).
Bob Odenkirk Received Cinnabon Training For The Show
At the end of Breaking Bad, Saul Goodman escapes from Albequerque and begins a new identity as Gene Takavic, the manager of a branch of Cinnabon on Omaha, Nebraka. This storyline appeared once more in the last season of Better Call Saul.
Upon finding out their store would play a prominent role in the show's final season, Cinnabon sent over staff to train Bob Odenkirk as a fully-qualified Bakery Manager. The Marketing VP for the company revealed they trained Odenkirk and the other actors in the Cinnabon scenes to prepare hundreds of baked goods for the cast and crew (via Decider).
Jimmy Is Neighbors With A Familiar Breaking Bad Character
As Jimmy McGill, Saul Goodman's birth name and most authentic identity, it is revealed in Better Call Saul that Jimmy works on Juan Tabo Boulevard, according to the address on his checks. Eagle-eyed viewers have made a connection between Jimmy and a fan favorite character from Breaking Bad.
Breaking Bad superfans on Reddit remembered that Gale Boetticher lives in an apartment on Juan Tabo Boulveard. Gale was as assistant hired by Gus Fring to work on Walter White's meth lab on seasons 3-5 of the show.
Saul Is Based On Bob Odenkirk's Agent
Saul Goodman's larger-than-life personality is so unique and recognizable that it could easily be mistaken for pure fiction. According to Bob Odenkirk however, he based his performance on a real person.
Odenkirk stated that Saul is "trying to manipulate them into doing what he wants. And I think that's true for a lot of agents is they're aware of a certain scenario." Odenkirk also revealed that his first agent, Ari Emmanuel, was a specifric source of inspiration, adding that "I think he would be proud of it. He likes being noticed, and I think he gets a kick out of his - people's estimations of his various talents" (via Looper).
They Gave Saul A Deliberately Bad Haircut
Saul Goodman's signature comb-over hairstyle is almost as famous as the man himself. The often poorly swept-over hair is not a quick do-over by the hair stylists on Breaking Bad and in Better Call Saul, but a deliberate character choice.
The details in how Saul styles his hair reveal a lot about the character and his self-image. "[It's c]leaned up on the sides because he's all business, and the comb-over is to try to look younger, and the mullet is to try to look like a relaxed dude," Bob Odenkirk explained (via Looper).
The Show Almost Had An Alternate Ending
The series finale of Better Call Saul was largely well received by fans of the show. Most notably, former spouses Jimmy McGill and Kim Wexler reunite once more after Jimmy is sentenced to 86 years in prison, sharing a cigarette before Kim leaves, acknowledging Jimmy's signature finger guns gesture.
The show, according to showrunner Peter Gould, almost "ended with the two of them smoking, and filmed this alternate ending. After watching both cuts, Gould explained "It felt more honest, to end with the two of them apart rather than the two of them together" (via IndieWire).