It’s confirmed: “Breaking Bad” stars Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) are returning for the final season of “Better Call Saul.”
Showrunner Peter Gould announced the news Saturday at PaleyFest LA on a “Better Call Saul” panel, according to Variety. This was after series fans were speculating over Walt and Jesse cameos for literally years.
“I don’t want to spoil things for the audience, but I will say the first question we had when we started the show was, ‘Are we gonna see Walt and Jesse on the show?’ Instead of evading, I’ll just say yeah,” Gould said on the panel.
“How or the circumstances or anything, you’ll just have to discover that for yourself, but I have to say that’s one of many things that I think you’ll discover this season.”
“If you can believe it, there’s more,” lead actor Bob Odenkirk joked before Gould stopped him from revealing something major.
“Better Call Saul” is a spinoff prequel of “Breaking Bad” that occurs years before criminal lawyer Saul Goodman/Jimmy McGill (Odenkirk) makes their acquaintance. The story also follows Saul in a post-“Breaking Bad” world as he hides from enemies while working at a Cinnabon in Omaha. Fans pointed out how there was never a real need to include Walt and Jesse in the story, however, that doesn’t mean they’re opposed to the idea.
Odenkirk also told Variety, “I personally feel that the two shows — ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul’ — are entwined even more than ever in the final season. And I think that’s surprising and cool, and it’s gonna make you want to watch ‘Breaking Bad’ again.”
Over the years, “Better Call Saul” has become just as popular as the original series it’s based upon based on thanks to superb storytelling and acting. Many “Breaking Bad” cast members including Hector Salamanca (Mark Margolis), Don Eladio (Steven Bauer), the Salamanca twins (Luis and Daniel Moncada), Hank Schrader (Dean Norris), and Steven Gomez (Steven Michael Quezada) have joined the cast.
Meanwhile, “Breaking Bad” fans have embraced the new characters and fear for their fates at the end of the final season 6, which catches up with the beginning of “Breaking Bad.” Since none of them are part of the original show, and because writers have been meticulous about continuity, they fear the worst for fan favorites Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn) and Lalo Salamanca (Tony Dalton).
“El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie” focused on Jesse’s story after fleeing the compound where he was being held hostage at the conclusion of “Breaking Bad.” Walter White made appearances in that film via flashback scenes. A similar technique could be used for “Better Call Saul.”
According to Variety, the last season of “Better Call Saul” will be split into two parts. The series returns to AMC on April 18 with the first seven episodes while the second six episodes are scheduled to drop July 11.