Bob Odenkirk reflects on how he was cast in Breaking Bad. Primarily a comedy writer and actor, Odenkirk originated the role of Walt and Jesse's criminal lawyer, Saul Goodman, in Breaking Bad season 2, episode 8, aptly titled "Better Call Saul." After Breaking Bad came to an end and cemented itself as one of the greatest television dramas in history, Odenkirk returned for the prequel series, also titled Better Call Saul, which chronicled his character's slow descent from an earnest to egotistical attorney.
During a recent appearance on WIRED's Autocomplete Interview in which guests answer the internet's most searched questions about themselves, Odenkirk reflected on how he was originally cast in his career-defining role on Breaking Bad. The Emmy-nominated actor credits creator Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, who co-wrote the episode in which Saul first appears and happened to be fans of Odenkirk's sketch series Mr. Show. Gilligan and Gould just knew Odenkirk would be perfect as Saul. Read what Odenkirk said about his casting or watch the relevant portion of the interview below, starting at 2:48:
How did Bob Odenkirk get cast in Breaking Bad? A real good question and when I hesitated to ask, because I didn't want to get kicked out of Breaking Bad. I didn't want them to rethink their choice. And Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould who wrote the character of Saul Goodman into the first script that he was in Breaking Bad were both fans of Mr. Show and both thought I was the guy to play the part. I don't know why. Vince Gilligan is the smartest guy in the room, but he pretends not to be.
Bob Odenkirk Was Perfect As Saul Goodman
Before Breaking Bad changed Odenkirk's career, he was primarily known for comedy, including starring in the HBO sketch series Mr. Show with Bob and David. This panned out perfectly for Odenkirk's aspiration to make the jump from comedy to drama, as Gilligan has a preference for casting comedic actors since he believes having a background in comedy helps an actor understand the underlying humanity of drama. Odenkirk ended up being perfect for the role of Saul Goodman, who began as mostly a comic-relief character and was only involved in a few dramatic scenes in Breaking Bad.
It wasn't until Better Call Saul, especially the later seasons, that Odenkirk developed a knack for dramatic acting while playing Jimmy McGill, in addition to showcasing his signature comedic flair. To date, Odenkirk has received five Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series with a sixth likely on the way, one for each season of Better Call Saul. In the end, Gilligan and Gould's genius Odenkirk casting worked out perfectly, as Saul Goodman is now enshrined in the pantheon of great television antiheroes alongside Walter White and Tony Soprano.
Source: WIRED