History of Better Call Saul in Timeline
Better Call Saul, a spin-off and prequel to Breaking Bad, chronicles the transformation of Jimmy McGill, a small-time lawyer, into the morally flexible Saul Goodman. The series explores Jimmy's struggles with his identity, his complex relationship with his brother Chuck, and his descent into the criminal underworld. Set primarily in the years leading up to Breaking Bad, the show also features storylines that intersect with and follow the events of the original series, providing further insight into characters like Mike Ehrmantraut and the drug trade. Over six seasons, Better Call Saul examines themes of ambition, morality, and the consequences of choices.
2002: Start of primary timeline
In 2002, Better Call Saul's primary timeline begins, six years before Breaking Bad, with Saul Goodman practicing law as Jimmy McGill in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
2002: Jimmy Schemes to Represent Craig Kettleman
In 2002, Jimmy schemes to represent Craig Kettleman, leading to encounters with Tuco Salamanca and Nacho. He also cares for Chuck and learns of fraud at Sandpiper retirement community.
2002: Jimmy works as an associate
In 2002, Jimmy works as an associate but quits after his legal style doesn't mesh with the firm's corporate demeanor.
2002: Better Call Saul most of the show takes place
In 2002, most of the show Better Call Saul takes place, spanning approximately 2002 to 2004.
2003: Jimmy regains his outgoing demeanor
In 2003, Jimmy McGill recovers his usual positive attitude after Howard Hamlin accepts responsibility for Chuck McGill's death. Jimmy starts managing a cell phone store, but supplements his income by illegally selling prepaid cell phones to criminals.
2003: Jimmy's law license is suspended
In 2003, Jimmy's law license is suspended as a result of the disciplinary hearing, and Chuck's hypersensitivity condition is revealed to be psychosomatic.
2004: Jimmy Practices Law as Saul Goodman
In 2004, Jimmy's law practice under the Saul Goodman name leads him into Albuquerque's drug trade. He finds himself in conflict when Howard Hamlin offers him a position at HHM. Kim balances her Mesa Verde and pro bono work with her feelings for Jimmy and starts using similar conman tactics. Jimmy and Kim plot to ruin Howard to settle the Sandpiper case. Lalo's presence in Albuquerque forces Gus to halt the meth lab construction. Nacho and Mike are used in the feud between the Salamancas and Gus. Lalo is arrested for murder and hires Jimmy to represent him and arrange bail, endangering Jimmy's life. After Lalo's release, Gus's assassins unsuccessfully try to kill him, leading Lalo to believe Nacho betrayed him.
2004: Nacho's Sacrifice and Howard's Death
In 2004, Nacho tries to escape the Salamancas after the attempt on Lalo's life, but Gus frames him. Nacho sacrifices himself to ensure his father's safety. Jimmy and Kim ruin Howard's reputation, forcing a settlement in the Sandpiper case. Howard confronts them but is murdered by Lalo. Lalo uses Kim to get into the meth lab, but Gus kills him. Mike stages Howard's death as a suicide, and he and Lalo are buried beneath the lab. Traumatized, Kim leaves the law and divorces Jimmy, who fully transforms into Saul Goodman over time.
2004: Better Call Saul most of the show takes place
In 2004, most of the show Better Call Saul takes place, spanning approximately 2002 to 2004.
2008: Breaking Bad crime drama television series
In 2008 Breaking Bad started, a popular crime drama television series
2008: Saul Recruits Walter White
In 2008, Saul realizes that Walter White is "Heisenberg", a drug manufacturer producing high-quality crystal meth in Albuquerque. Despite Mike's doubts, Saul decides to recruit Walter and Jesse Pinkman as full-time clients.
2008: Timeline within Breaking Bad timeline
In 2008, selected scenes take place within the Breaking Bad timeline
2009: Saul Goodman Spin-Off Considered
As early as 2009, Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould considered a Saul Goodman spinoff.
2009: Gilligan and Gould Consider Saul Goodman Spin-Off
In 2009, Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould started considering a Saul Goodman spin-off, leading to the creation of Better Call Saul.
2010: Secondary timeline takes place
In 2010, Better Call Saul's secondary timeline, following Breaking Bad's finale, features Saul as Gene Takavic in Omaha, Nebraska.
2010: Gene is hospitalized and feels recognized
In 2010, Gene Takavic is hospitalized after collapsing. After being discharged, he becomes concerned when a taxi driver with an Albuquerque Isotopes air freshener appears to recognize him.
2010: Gene's Scheme and Confession
In 2010, Gene approaches Jeff and Buddy with a plan to rob a department store. He contacts Kim, who now resides in Florida, and creates a scheme to steal identities and financial details of wealthy single men. When the scheme goes wrong, Buddy leaves, Jeff is arrested, and Gene is apprehended. He is extradited to Albuquerque and falsely implicates Kim in his testimony to have her summoned to court. Jimmy confesses his crimes from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul to Kim and those at the trial, including his part in Chuck's death. Jimmy is recognized as Saul in prison and becomes popular with the inmates. Kim visits him, and they share a cigarette before she leaves.
2010: Gene collapses during work
In 2010, Gene points mall security guards towards a shoplifter during his lunch break. Later, a stressed Gene suddenly collapses during his work.
2010: Saul's life as Gene
In 2010, Saul manages a Cinnabon by day, but in the evening reminisces about his life as Jimmy by watching a VHS tape of his old television advertisements.
2010: Saul locks himself in dumpster room
In 2010, Saul/Jimmy accidentally locks himself in the dumpster room when closing out the Cinnabon for the night and waits for the janitor to open the door.
2010: Gene Encounters Jeff
In 2010, during a lunch break, Gene is approached by Jeff the taxi driver, along with his friend Buddy. Jeff admits he recognizes Gene as Saul Goodman from his time living in Albuquerque, and Gene acknowledges his secret identity.
2010: Events following Breaking Bad
In 2010, events take place following Breaking Bad.
2010: Flashforwards Set After Breaking Bad
In 2010, flashforwards show the consequences of Saul's actions across both Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad.
July 2012: Gilligan Hints at Lawyer Show Idea
In July 2012, Vince Gilligan publicly hinted at a lawyer show where the lawyer will do anything to stay out of court.
April 2013: Better Call Saul Confirmed to be in Development
In April 2013, Better Call Saul was confirmed to be in development by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould.
July 2013: Gilligan and Gould Working on Ideas for Spin-Off
In July 2013, Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould were still working out ideas for the Better Call Saul spin-off.
December 2013: Netflix Announces Streaming Plans for Season One
In December 2013, Netflix announced that the entire first season of Better Call Saul would be available for streaming in the U.S. after the airing of the first-season finale, and in Latin America and Europe each episode would be available a few days after the episode aired in the U.S.
December 16, 2013: Series Acquired by Netflix in the UK and Ireland
On December 16, 2013, Better Call Saul was acquired by Netflix in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
2013: Breaking Bad crime drama television series
In 2013 Breaking Bad ended, a popular crime drama television series
2013: Better Call Saul's Development Begins
In 2013, the development of Better Call Saul began during the production of Breaking Bad's final season, with Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould as co-showrunners.
January 2014: Jonathan Banks to Reprise Role as Mike Ehrmantraut
In January 2014, it was announced that Jonathan Banks would reprise his Breaking Bad role as Mike Ehrmantraut in Better Call Saul, becoming a series regular.
April 2014: Rhea Seehorn Cast as Kim Wexler
In April 2014, Rhea Seehorn auditioned and secured the role of Kimberly "Kim" Wexler, a prestigious attorney romantically involved with someone at her firm, in Better Call Saul.
May 2014: Patrick Fabian Cast as Howard Hamlin
In May 2014, Patrick Fabian was cast in Better Call Saul as Howard Hamlin, described as a Kennedy-esque lawyer.
June 2, 2014: Principal Photography Begins
On June 2, 2014, principal photography for Better Call Saul's six seasons began at Albuquerque Studios in New Mexico.
June 19, 2014: AMC Renewed Series for Second Season
On June 19, 2014, AMC renewed Better Call Saul for a second season of 13 episodes, which was later reduced to 10.
August 10, 2014: First Teaser Trailer Debuts
On August 10, 2014, the first teaser trailer for Better Call Saul debuted on AMC, confirming its February 2015 premiere date.
November 20, 2014: AMC Announces Two-Night Premiere
On November 20, 2014, AMC announced Better Call Saul would have a two-night premiere in February 2015.
February 8, 2015: Better Call Saul Premieres on AMC
On February 8, 2015, Better Call Saul, a spin-off of Breaking Bad, premiered on AMC.
February 9, 2015: Premiere on Stan in Australia
On February 9, 2015, Better Call Saul premiered on the streaming service Stan in Australia, acting as the service's flagship program.
February 2015: Premiere Date Confirmed
In February 2015, the premiere date of Better Call Saul was confirmed.
April 6, 2015: Season Concluded
On April 6, 2015 the season of Better Call Saul concluded.
February 1, 2016: First Season Released on Netflix in the U.S.
On February 1, 2016, the first season of Better Call Saul was finally released on Netflix in the U.S.
February 15, 2016: Season Two Premieres
On February 15, 2016, the second season of Better Call Saul premiered.
March 15, 2016: Renewal for Third Season
On March 15, 2016, AMC announced the renewal of Better Call Saul for a 10-episode third season.
April 18, 2016: Season Two Concludes
On April 18, 2016, the second season of Better Call Saul concluded.
April 19, 2016: Better Call Saul: Season Two Ratings
On April 19, 2016, TV Series Finale mentioned "Better Call Saul: Season Two Ratings".
2016: Rolling Stone's List
In 2016, Rolling Stone created a list of the greatest TV show of all time. In September 2022, Rolling Stone listed Better Call Saul as the 32nd greatest TV show of all time, in its updated list from 2016.
April 10, 2017: Third Season Premieres
On April 10, 2017, the third season of Better Call Saul premiered.
June 19, 2017: Third Season Concludes
On June 19, 2017, the third season of Better Call Saul concluded.
June 27, 2017: Better Call Saul Renewed for Season Four
Following the third season's end, on June 27, 2017, AMC renewed Better Call Saul for a 10-episode fourth season.
July 28, 2018: Better Call Saul Renewed for Season Five
On July 28, 2018, AMC renewed Better Call Saul for a fifth season, shortly before the fourth season aired.
July 29, 2018: Better Call Saul: Season Three Ratings
On July 29, 2018, TV Series Finale mentioned "Better Call Saul: Season Three Ratings".
August 6, 2018: Better Call Saul Season Four Premiere
On August 6, 2018, Better Call Saul's 10-episode fourth season premiered.
October 8, 2018: Better Call Saul Season Four Conclusion
On October 8, 2018, Better Call Saul's 10-episode fourth season concluded.
October 9, 2018: Better Call Saul: Season Four Ratings
On October 9, 2018, TV Series Finale mentioned "Better Call Saul: Season Four Ratings".
September 2019: The Guardian Ranks the Show
In September 2019, The Guardian ranked Better Call Saul at No. 48 on its list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st century, praising it as "A supremely measured character piece that has steadily improved as its central tragedy has materialised."
January 16, 2020: Better Call Saul Renewed for Sixth and Final Season
On January 16, 2020, AMC renewed Better Call Saul for a sixth season, set to premiere in 2021. It was confirmed by Showrunner Peter Gould that this would be the show's final season, consisting of 13 episodes rather than the usual 10.
February 23, 2020: Season Five Premiere
On February 23, 2020, the 10-episode fifth season of Better Call Saul premiered with a special Sunday broadcast, followed by episodes airing on Mondays.
February 25, 2020: Better Call Saul: Season Five Ratings
On February 25, 2020, TV Series Finale mentioned "Better Call Saul: Season Five Ratings".
April 20, 2020: Season Five Conclusion
On April 20, 2020, the fifth season of Better Call Saul concluded its broadcast run.
June 2020: AMC+ Launched
In June 2020, AMC launched its streaming service, AMC+.
November 13, 2020: Archived from the original
On November 13, 2020, the page was Archived from the original.
2020: Show Moves to Neon in New Zealand
In 2020, Better Call Saul moved from Lightbox to Neon in New Zealand after both streaming services merged.
2020: Cinematographer on episodes "Namaste"
In 2020, Paul Donachie served as a cinematographer on episode "Namaste" of Better Call Saul.
November 15, 2021: Archived from the original
On November 15, 2021, the page was Archived from the original.
2021: Scheduled Premiere of Season Six
In 2021, the sixth season of Better Call Saul was originally scheduled to premiere, but production experienced significant delays.
February 9, 2022: End of principal photography
On February 9, 2022, principal photography ended for Better Call Saul's six seasons.
March 2022: Additional filming done in California
In March 2022, additional filming was done in Leo Carrillo State Beach, California, for the opening teaser of the season six episode "Point and Shoot."
April 18, 2022: Season Six, Part One Premiere
On April 18, 2022, the first half of the sixth and final season of Better Call Saul premiered with two back-to-back episodes.
April 19, 2022: Better Call Saul: Season Six Ratings
On April 19, 2022, TV Series Finale mentioned "Better Call Saul: Season Six Ratings".
May 23, 2022: End of Season Six, Part One
On May 23, 2022, the first half of the sixth and final season of Better Call Saul concluded.
July 11, 2022: Season Six, Part Two Premiere
On July 11, 2022, the second half of the sixth and final season of Better Call Saul premiered.
August 15, 2022: Better Call Saul Series Finale
After six seasons, Better Call Saul concluded on August 15, 2022, with a total of 63 episodes.
September 2022: Rolling Stone Ranks the Show
In September 2022, Rolling Stone listed Better Call Saul as the 32nd greatest TV show of all time, in its updated list from 2016.
October 18, 2022: Series Airs on TG4 in Ireland
On October 18, 2022, Better Call Saul began airing on Irish TV network TG4.
December 6, 2022: Complete Series Released on Blu-ray and DVD
On December 6, 2022, the complete series of Better Call Saul was issued on Blu-ray and DVD in region 1, which spanned 19 discs and included 70 hours of bonus features.
2022: Cinematographer on episodes "Carrot and Stick" and "Hit and Run"
In 2022, Paul Donachie served as a cinematographer on episodes "Carrot and Stick" and "Hit and Run" of Better Call Saul.
2022: Streaming Success on AMC+
Throughout the final season's run in 2022, each episode of Better Call Saul was available to stream on AMC+ the day it premiered on AMC. The season six premiere resulted in the biggest day of new subscriber sign-ups for AMC+, and by the mid-season finale, episodic viewership on the streaming service rose by 61%.
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