It’s been three long years since fans saw Bob Odenkirk play the cunning and charismatic character of Saul Goodman in “Better Call Saul.” Now, the Emmy Award-winning actor is opening up to TODAY.com about what it would take to reprise his iconic role.
Odenkirk’s character, who was first introduced in the Bryan Cranston-led crime drama “Breaking Bad,” received a spinoff series in 2015 that served as an origin story for Saul Goodman. It followed the Albuquerque, New Mexico criminal defense attorney, born Jimmy McGill, and his transformation from aspiring lawyer to the ambitious, and at times morally ambiguous, lawyer with ties to the criminal underworld.
Created and executive produced by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, the same team behind “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul” ended with Odenkirk’s character serving an 86-year prison sentence after confessing to his crimes, which included supporting Walter White (Cranston)’s drug operation and acknowledging the role he played in his brother Howard’s death.
In an exclusive interview with TODAY.com on Aug. 14, Odenkirk shares his thoughts on a “Better Call Saul” follow-up and details on his character’s specific storyline.
“He’s not getting out (of prison). If there’s another Saul show, it takes place inside prison,” he says emphatically, noting that the story would follow Saul’s life behind bars.
Odenkirk, who has played Saul Goodman for over a decade while on both AMC series, recognizes the impact his character has had on him both personally and professionally. “That part turned my life around, and I’ve given more to that part than anything I’ve done, “ he says.
He’s also aware of the strain it’s put on him, telling The Hollywood Reporter that after years of playing Saul, in addition to his “Nobody” character of Hutch, a highly-skilled assassin, he’s “fine with moving on” from them.
“They’re guys who, for different reasons, have pretty big chips on their shoulders, and that’s hard to play after a while,” Odenkirk told the outlet. “You can’t just carry that guy around all the time.”
But, Odenkirk reveals to TODAY.com, a “Better Call Saul” revival is not out of the question. The actor exclusively tells us what it would take for him to reprise his “Better Call Saul” character and jump back into that universe.
“Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould created that show. There are some of the best writers who ever worked in TV,” he says. “So if they were to think of something in that world, of course I would do it.”
Though Odenkirk admits he would be up for the challenge, he feels it might be bit of a long shot.
“But I don’t think so,” he says of a “Better Call Saul” sequel or spinoff happening. “I think they’ve all moved on to some more amazing projects that you’ll soon see.”
Odenkirk is referring to Gilligan’s new Apple TV+ sci-fi drama called “Pluribus,” which stars his “Better Call Saul” co-star Rhea Seehorn.
The series, which has already been picked up for two seasons by Apple TV+, is described as a “psychological sci-fi drama set in a reimagined version of modern-day Albuquerque.” Though official plot details have not yet been released, Odenkirk tells TODAY.com that the new show is “going to be a great one.”
“Look forward to the best written show on TV for years to come,” he teases of the new series.
While fans will have to wait until November 7 to see “Pluribus” hit the small screen, Odenkirk’s new action film, “Nobody 2,” is now available in theaters nationwide.
(“Nobody 2,” a Universal film, is owned by TODAY.com’s parent company, NBCUniversal.)
