Bob Odenkirk parts ways with Better Call Saul, focusing on new projects and ongoing health recovery.
Bob Odenkirk has confirmed that he will not be reprising his role in Better Call Saul beyond the current storyline. The actor, known for portraying Jimmy McGill, also known as Saul Goodman, appeared in the series and its predecessor, Breaking Bad, over a span of 11 seasons from 2008 to 2022. His decision marks a significant turning point for the show as it approaches its conclusion.
Health Challenges and Their Impact on the Show
During the filming of Better Call Saul’s sixth and final season in July 2021, Odenkirk suffered a heart attack on set but managed to return to complete the series finale after his recovery. The incident raised concerns about the future of the show. Peter Gould, the series co-creator, admitted that the production team was uncertain if the show could continue during Odenkirk’s health crisis. Reflecting on the situation, Gould said,
“The doctors said [Odenkirk] needs to sit in a room lit by candlelight and he needs time to recover. Honest to God, we didn’t know if we were going to have a show or if we were going to finish it. And it felt so completely irrelevant, because it’s when you realise it’s just a fucking piece of entertainment.”
He added,
“We were ready to dump the whole thing. I mean, I wasn’t thinking about that. It’s too complicated. It was too big to really kind of think it through. But I’m sure somebody deep in the bowels of Sony had to start doing some calculations about what kind of loss they’d have to take, and thank God it didn’t happen.”
Odenkirk later shared his own perspective on the heart attack, stating,
“If nobody had been there, I’d have been dead in a few minutes.”
The Emotional Toll of Iconic Roles
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Odenkirk discussed his feelings about returning to Better Call Saul compared to his other current project, Nobody 2. While he plans to continue playing Hutch Mansell in the Nobody franchise, he expressed reluctance to revisit the intense role of Saul Goodman. Odenkirk explained,
Image of: Bob Odenkirk
“Both Hutch Mansell in Nobody and Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul have a lot of impacted frustration inside them. They’re guys who, for different reasons, have pretty big chips on their shoulders, and that’s hard to play after a while.”
He added,
“You can’t just carry that guy around all the time. So I’m fine with moving on from them both, although I would do more Hutch. I would do a third or fourth [Nobody] film.”
Upcoming Projects and Industry Developments
While Odenkirk steps away from Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan is working on a new Apple TV+ series called Pluribus, starring Rhea Seehorn, who also appeared in Better Call Saul. Odenkirk expressed enthusiasm about this upcoming show, saying,
“It’s going to be the biggest thing, well, since sliced bread, but really since Game Of Thrones. You probably know what’s biggest [lately], but probably since Severance. I know Severance, in its way, is a big, big effort. So I think that [Pluribus] is going to be the next big show, and I can’t wait.”
Implications for Better Call Saul and Odenkirk’s Career
Odenkirk’s departure from Better Call Saul closes a significant chapter in his career and the acclaimed show’s history. His choice to step away from such a demanding role suggests a focus on preserving his well-being and embracing new opportunities like Nobody 2 and future projects. For Better Call Saul, this marks the final season with Odenkirk’s portrayal of Saul Goodman, potentially shaping the show’s conclusion and legacy.
