Vince Gilligan
Co-creator, with Peter Gould, of Better Call Saul, the prequel to his Breaking Bad.
Vince Gilligan is the co-creator of Better Call Saul, having developed the series with Peter Gould for AMC. He created and developed Breaking Bad, the predecessor series, and wrote the Breaking Bad episode "Better Call Saul" that inspired the spin-off. Gilligan left Better Call Saul as a writer early in the third season, making Gould the sole showrunner for the remainder of its run, though he continued to direct episodes and returned to help write the final season.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Co-Creator
- Executive Producer
- Writer
- Director
- Affiliation
- Sony Pictures Television; AMC Studios
Lore & Background
Gilligan and Gould began considering a Saul Goodman spin-off in 2009, after Saul's role in Breaking Bad had expanded beyond the writing staff's plans. They initially considered making a half-hour legal comedy featuring Saul and his various clients, but settled on an hour-long tragedy showing how he develops into the character seen in Breaking Bad. The show examines the ethical decline of Jimmy McGill, an aspiring lawyer and former con artist who becomes the egocentric and sleazy criminal-defense attorney Saul Goodman. Gilligan's involvement included directing episodes and returning to help write the final season, though he left as a writer early in the third season.
Reader's Guide
Gilligan's work on Better Call Saul is part of the Breaking Bad franchise, serving primarily as a prequel with some scenes taking place during and after the events of Breaking Bad. The show received critical acclaim, with many reviewers considering it a worthy successor to Breaking Bad—some deeming it superior to its predecessor—and one of the greatest television series of all time. It garnered 53 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, setting a record for the most-nominated show to never win an Emmy, along with 2 Peabody Award nominations, 19 Writers Guild of America Award nominations, 20 Critics' Choice Television Award nominations, 9 Actor Award nominations, and 6 Golden Globe Award nominations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Better Call Saul created by the same person as Breaking Bad?
Yes, Gilligan originally created Breaking Bad and expanded that narrative world to explore Jimmy McGill's backstory. This connection allows for a deeper dive into the origins of the character known as Saul Goodman.
Was Vince Gilligan the sole showrunner for every season?
He shared co-showrunner duties equally with Peter Gould during Season 1, but Gould assumed full responsibility starting from Season 2. Gilligan remained involved as an executive producer and occasional director throughout the run.
Why is Vince Gilligan considered essential to Better Call Saul's success?
His vision established the mastermind behind transforming Jimmy McGill into the cynical persona of Saul Goodman.
More in Production & Themes
Elsewhere in Better Call Saul
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