The show, which is still in the abstract, will not be an expansion of the Breaking Bad universe. Instead, it’ll be an entirely new concept altogether. It appears at least 8 to 9 networks and platforms are already gearing up to hear the Better Call Saul creator’s pitch, which is expected to hit in the next couple of weeks.
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Deadline reported that Gilligan’s new show will be more like what he worked on before Breaking Bad, which was the immensely popular sci-fi drama The X-Files. However, the show will not follow the same beats as The X-Files but will follow some of the same beats as Gilligan’s previous hit shows by balancing drama and humor. “Word is that the new show harkens back to Gilligan’s tenure on The X-Files. But don’t expect a sci-fi drama — when he was a writer-producer on The X-Files, Gilligan was known for focusing more on the human condition in his episodes, which is something he is said to also be doing in his new series, exploring similar themes of bending reality while holding a mirror to humanity,” Nellie Andreeva reported. “Described as a blended, grounded genre drama, the new series also is being compared to The Twilight Zone. It is said to be set in our world while putting a tweak on it, focusing on people and exploring the human condition in an unexpected, surprising way.”
None of this has been confirmed in the Deadline report, but Gilligan working on a new show could also pave the way to have actors who have had success with him in the past, like Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, come back to work for him on his next series. Gilligan worked with Cranston and Paul during his involvement with The X-Files, so it wouldn’t hurt to bring back the same actors who put you on the map as a show creator. Previous show creators and filmmakers have done that in the past because they are working with people they can depend on.
Gilligan not continuing to expand the universe that made him a household name in the entertainment industry is a bold move when he could easily do so knowing he’d have an audience. Hopefully, it sets a new trend. In Hollywood, franchises usually milk themselves for all they are worth until they’re not profitable anymore. By going this route, Gilligan is leaving good alone until he actually has an idea on how to expand on it if that idea ever comes to mind. If his heart’s not in it, he doesn’t have to follow up on the popular shows he’s already made.
That is, however, going to break the hearts of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul fans everywhere. For 14 years, Gilligan created two different but equally riveting television shows detailing the moral downfalls of Walter White and Jimmy McGill. To see this entire universe hit the brakes after all this time will be hard for fans to let go of. But it’s better to go out like The Wire and not like The Simpsons.
Better Call Saul airs its series finale on August 15, 2022, on AMC.
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Source: Deadline
