‘Better Call Saul’: The 6 Best Spinoff Ideas
As Better Call Saul fans await the sixth and final season of the Breaking Bad spinoff, they’re not quite ready to say goodbye. The success of the prequel series itself sets precedent for delving back further into another character. Fans of the show, and some of the stars themselves, have ideas for ways to continue the Saulverse. Here are six of the best ideas.
‘Better Call Saul’ original character spinoffs
Below, some fans have ideas for spinoffs for characters who appeared on both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. But first, let’s look at some ideas for characters who originated on Saul. Going two levels of spinoffs would put them in the realm of Laverne & Shirley or Good Times, or if Niles ever got his own show after Frasier.
Fans on this Reddit thread suggest a Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn) show. This makes a lot of sense as Kim is the most central character besides Jimmy McGill/Saul (Bob Odenkirk) himself. Of course, the series finale is going to dictate a lot. She’s not a character on Breaking Bad, so there’s a high likelihood she does not survive Better Call Saul. A prequel about her legal career could work, but let’s also have faith that the creators of Saul won’t choose the most conventional outcome for Kim.
There’s already precedent for a Chuck spinoff. AMC Networks announced a digital slate earlier this year. Deadline reports that Slippin’ Jimmy would be an animated prequel about Chuck and Jimmy McGill’s brotherhood when they were younger. Why stop at one? Either make it a continuing series, or do a live-action prequel too.
‘Better Call Saul’ fans want cop dramas
Two of the more intriguing Better Call Saul spinoff ideas could be police procedurals. This Reddit user suggests a Hank (Dean Norris) and Gomez (Steven Michael Quezada) cop drama a la Lethal Weapon. Since they appeared on Better Call Saul Season 5, there’s already precedent.
This Reddit user suggests a prequel about Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks)’s time as a cop dealing with police corruption. Since Mike would be much younger, this could conceivably be recast. Jonathan Banks himself told the Television Critics Association he feels too old to be playing Mike prior to Breaking Bad since he’s in his 70s.
‘Breaking Bad’ villain spinoffs
Many of the Breaking Bad villains whom Walter White (Bryan Cranston) disposed of returned in Better Call Saul. Fans are ready to keep seeing them in series set at least prior to Breaking Bad. Fans replying to the Hank/Gomez thread also suggested a Lalo or Salamanca family spinoff.
Hector Salamanca (Mark Margolis) was a thorn in Walter White and Jimmy McGill’s side. Better Call Saul depicted the transition from an ambulatory Hector to using a wheelchair after his stroke, as he appeared in Breaking Bad. Hector’s story may be told, but Saul introduces his nephew, Lalo (Tony Dalton). Or, the whole Salamanca family could have a Godfather saga.
Giancarlo Esposito wants The Rise of Gus and after both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, he deserves it.
“It’s been something I’ve mentioned over and over again,” Esposito told EW in 2017. “Maybe Vince or Peter haven’t seen it or maybe AMC and Sony haven’t seen it. I certainly have mentioned it to my people, it’s out there. In all fairness to Vince, they’re folks who have a lot on their plate and are focusing on making this one show great.”
Esposito added that it’s entirely possible Better Call Saul will satisfy his Gus itch.
“I keep talking about it because maybe it’s a reality,” Esposito said. “Although I feel like if we explore all the places of Gus in Saul that I’m satisfied with, there may be no need for The Rise of Gus.”
