Skip to main content

There’s been a ton of Emmy buzz surrounding the Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul, with some fans even saying it’s likely to surpass the original in terms of quality. This is thanks to phenomenal cinemaphotography, writing, and yes, acting. Especially from some of the new additions to the Breaking Bad universe.

One of the most popular new faces is cartel enforcer Lalo Salamanca, who is brilliantly played by actor Tony Dalton. Lalo is such a unique character because even though he’s murderous and terrifying, he always has a smile on his face and has an extremely cheerful demeanor. These opposing characteristics make for an unpredictable person who’s ultimately scarier than the other villains on the show.

Lalo survived the season 5 finale but as for how long he lasts into season 6, no one knows.

Lalo Salamanca
Lalo Salamanca | Warrick Page/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

Lalo Salamanca walked away from his burning hacienda ready for revenge

The last time we see Lalo, he’s limping away from his home where he’s just been ambushed. All of his employees were murdered by assassins who were also trying to kill him. Also, Lalo realizes that Nacho Varga, who he had just promoted, double-crossed him. As Dalton told AMC during an interview, “I don’t know what’s gonna happen, but smiles are gone after that.”

We already know that Nacho and Lalo are absent from the Breaking Bad series but it’s still unclear if that’s because they’re dead or elsewhere. However, after what happened in season 5, there’s little chance of both men making it out alive.

Dalton will accept a ‘worthy death’ for Lalo

Even if showrunners Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould already have a plan in mind for Lalo, they haven’t shared that information with Dalton yet. “They tell us nothing! I find out when I get the script,” he told Vulture.

But even if Lalo dies, Dalton trusts the creators to treat the loss with the respect it deserves. “A worthy death would be amazing too. That’s how heroes fall,” he said during the interview. “Whatever the hell happens to Lalo, it’s all good!”

Will Lalo die in season 6?

Even though Lalo doesn’t show up in Breaking Bad there are reasons to believe he’s alive — and there are reasons to believe he’s dead.

First, when Walt and Jesse kidnap Saul Goodman (formerly Jimmy McGill) to convince him to work with them he believes at first that Lalo sent them to kill him and is completely terrified. Fans point to this scene as proof that Lalo lives, and is at the very least proof that Saul thinks he lives.

But then there’s the contradictory scene when Gus Fring confronts Hector Salamanca after killing the last of his blood relations and taunts him that the bloodline will end with him. It’s clear that Gus thinks Lalo is dead, however as we now know, Lalo did have the hired assassin lie and say he completed the job.

It’s unclear what’s going to happen in season 6. But whether he lives or dies, Lalo remains one of the most memorable characters from Better Call Saul.

Best in Entertainment