AMC Renews Breaking Bad Spin-Off, Delays Premiere

NEW YORK: AMC has already ordered a second season of 13 episodes of Better Call Saul, though the Breaking Bad prequel is now set to premiere in early 2015.

The network has unveiled several updates on the series, which is filming in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The first season of ten episodes started production earlier this month. Breaking Bad creator and showrunner Vince Gilligan is directing the series premiere and co-showrunning along with fellow Breaking Bad alum Peter Gould, the creator of the Saul Goodman character.

With the second season order, Better Call Saul's episode count reaches 23. Season one is now set to launch in early 2015, with season two coming in early 2016. Specific launch dates have not yet been announced, though it is known that the show will join The Walking Dead and Talking Dead on AMC in the first quarter of each of the next two years.

“Production on Better Call Saul is under way and we could not be more proud of nor 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 Charlie Collier, AMC's president. “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.”