‘Better Call Saul’ gets second season and premiere date moves up

AMC has decided, even before a single episode has been aired, to order a second season from the spin-off from ‘Breaking Bad’; ‘Better Call Saul’. The second season will get thirteen episodes, bringing the total number of episodes on 23.

‘Better Call Saul’ was scheduled to premiere in November 2014, but AMC has decided to shift to a premiere date in early 2015. This means that the second season will start in 2016. With this ‘Better Call Saul’ will start the next two years together with ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘Talking Dead’ in the first quarter of the year.

The creator of ‘Breaking Bad’ Vince Gilligan will direct the first episode of ‘Better Call Saul’. He will work with fellow executive producer Peter Gould, who is the creator of the character Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk, Fargo), and produce the next thirteen episodes. Filming of the first season has already begun in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

"Production on ‘Better Call Saul’ is underway, and we could not be more proud or more excited about the work to date. We join the fans in eager anticipation for this series, and today we happily confirm that our initial Saul order is for two seasons and a total of 23 episodes," said AMC president Charlie Collier. "When introducing any series, especially one with the DNA of ‘Breaking Bad’, there are countless factors to consider in making sure the show gets the launch it deserves. We have a strong history with Vince, Peter, Bob, the studio and so many involved with this production; we are enjoying the process on Saul and all share a focus on making it a true television event. No half measures."

Despite the confidence that radiates from an early renewal the postponement will mean that the already small roster of scripted series of AMC remains as it was. There will be no series premiere after the June premiere of ‘Halt and Catch Fire’.

‘Better Call Saul’ tells the stories of Saul Goodman which take place before Saul meets ‘Breaking Bad’ Walter White.

What do you think? Is it a shame we have to wait longer for the spin-off of ‘Breaking Bad’? Or is it a good idea to push the premiere up and announce a second season?