Key Highlights
- Vince Gilligan did not create more spinoffs of Breaking Bad despite studio pressure.
- The TV show creator prefers to explore other stories after the success of Better Call Saul.
- Gilligan’s new Apple TV+ series, Pluribus, stars Rhea Seehorn from Better Call Saul and explores a society taken over by a virus.
- Despite critical acclaim for both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, the latter never won an Emmy Award.
The Decision to Not Expand the Breaking Bad Franchise
Vince Gilligan, the creator of one of television’s most critically acclaimed series, Breaking Bad, has made it clear that he prefers not to continue the franchise beyond its current projects. After the success of both Better Call Saul and the movie El Camino, Gilligan chose to step back from further developments within the universe of these shows.
A Pressure to Continue
In an interview with NME, Gilligan revealed that Sony executives had expressed interest in what would come next for the Breaking Bad universe after the finale of Better Call Saul. However, rather than succumb to this pressure, he decided to “take a break” from the series and explore other stories. Gilligan stated, “They would say, ‘What do you think’s next in the Breaking Bad universe?’ I said, ‘Maybe we should take a break from it for a while. Maybe it’s time to move on…’”
The Shift to Pluribus
Gilligan’s decision led him to create his new Apple TV+ series, Pluribus, which premiered in 2023. The show stars Rhea Seehorn from Better Call Saul and delves into a world where everyone is happy due to the effects of a virus, except for one character: Carol Sturka, played by Seehorn. This shift towards exploring new stories was not without its challenges.
Gilligan admitted that it was “scary” to walk away from the Breaking Bad franchise and stated, “It was scary.
It is scary. It remains scary.”
The Legacy of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul
Despite the decision not to expand further, the legacy of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul continues to be significant in the entertainment industry. Both series received critical acclaim, with Breaking Bad maintaining a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes and Better Call Saul even surpassing its predecessor with an impressive 98%. However, while the shows were highly rated, neither received Emmy Awards recognition for their respective seasons.
The success of these series has also led to continued interest in the Breaking Bad universe.
Actor Giancarlo Esposito, who played Gus Fring on both shows, expressed a desire to return to the role, but as of now, Gilligan has no plans to revisit the characters and stories from his beloved creations.
For fans and critics alike, there remains an ongoing curiosity about potential future developments in the world of Breaking Bad. While Gilligan’s decision not to expand further may be seen as a bold move, it leaves open the possibility for new interpretations and stories within this rich and complex universe.
