Better Call Saul is an American television drama series created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould as a spin-off of Breaking Bad set in 2002, which follows the story of small-time lawyer James Morgan "Jimmy" McGill, six years before his appearance on Breaking Bad.
The series focuses on the evolution of the Breaking Bad character Saul Goodman, portrayed by Bob Odenkirk, before he ever became Walter White's lawyer.
The series introduces Jimmy McGill to the world. Known to Breaking Bad fans as Saul Goodman, viewers soon discover Saul wasn't always Albuquerque's top criminal (criminal) lawyer.
Better Call Saul is set six years before Saul Goodman meets Walter White. When we meet him, the man who will become Saul Goodman is known as Jimmy McGill, a small-time lawyer searching for his destiny and hustling to make ends meet.
Working alongside and often against Jimmy is fixer Mike Erhmantraut, a beloved character first introduced in Breaking Bad. The series tracks Jimmy's transformation into a man who puts the criminal in "criminal lawyer".
Joining Odenkirk are series regulars Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad, Wiseguy) as Mike Erhmantraut, Michael McKean (This is Spinal Tap) as Chuck McGill, Rhea Seehorn (Franklin & Bash, House of Lies) as Kim Wexler, Patrick Fabian (Big Love, Grey's Anatomy) as Howard Hamlin and Michael Mando (Orphan Black, The Killing) as Nacho Varga - characters that represent both legitimate and illegitimate sides of the law.
The series is executive produced by Gilligan, Gould, Mark Johnson (Breaking Bad, Diner, Rain Man) and Melissa Bernstein (Breaking Bad, Rectify, Halt and Catch Fire) with Breaking Bad alums Thomas Schnauz and Stewart A. Lyons as co-executive producers for Sony Pictures Television.
Main Characters
Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman
Before he became Saul Goodman – Albuquerque's notorious criminal lawyer – he was Jimmy McGill, a hardworking attorney struggling to make ends meet. He may not have a Cadillac or a degree from an Ivy League university, but Jimmy's buoyant optimism and quick wit make him a forceful champion for his down-market clients.
Jimmy's a legitimate lawyer, an underdog fighting to make a name for himself, but his moral compass and his ambition are often at war with each other.
Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut
Before he was Saul's fixer, Mike Ehrmantraut was a cop in Philadelphia – that is, until he took an early retirement due to a series of dark events that he'd prefer to keep buried in the past.
A recent transplant to the Southwest, Mike has come to Albuquerque to pursue a quiet life as a grandfather. However, his specialised skill set lends itself easily to the criminal world, and he soon finds his talents are in high demand.
Michael McKean as Chuck McGill
Jimmy's older brother Chuck is a name partner at one of Albuquerque's most prestigious law firms. A brilliant man of high ideals, Chuck believes that doing the right thing is the true and proper route to success. Unfortunately, an unusual illness makes it difficult for him to lead a normal life.
Rhea Seehorn as Kim Wexler
A smart and hardworking lawyer with an ambitious two-year plan, Kim Wexler has worked her way up from humble beginnings to become one of the go-to litigators at Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill.
Kim's history with Jimmy complicates their working relationship, and may ultimately compromise her career goals.
Patrick Fabian as Howard Hamlin
Sun-kissed and patrician, Howard Hamlin is one of life's winners. Chuck's law partner in the wildly successful firm Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill, Howard's good looks, charm and success are only part of the reason Jimmy can't stand him.
Michael Mando as Nacho Varga
Nacho Varga is a calculating, intelligent criminal. While not yet a kingpin himself, Nacho is bright and has the ear of his terrifying boss. Nacho's ambitions will put him on a collision course with Jimmy that might just take them both down.