EXCLUSIVE: As Better Call Saul comes to a close, series co-creator and Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan is ready for what’s to come. And once again, for his next dramatic project he goes with a totally original idea. No one would comment, but there is a lot of anticipation in the market for the track, which is expected to be released in the coming weeks, with at least 8-9 networks and platforms lined up to hear it.
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I’ve heard that the new project, which comes from Sony Pictures TV, where Gilligan has been under an overall deal for a long time, is a departure from the world of drugs and crime he explored in Breaking Bad and its prequel, Better Call Saul, whose series finale airs on August 15. 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 and producer on The X-Files, Gilligan was known for focusing more on the human condition in his episodes, something he’s said to be doing in his new series, which explores similar themes of bending reality while holding a mirror up to humanity.
Described as a grounded, blended genre drama, the new series is also being compared to The Twilight Zone. It is said to be set in our world while tweaking it, focusing on people and exploring the human condition in unexpected and surprising ways.
The new show is expected to carry Gilligan’s signature tone that infuses drama with humor.
As he often does with his original creations, Gilligan has written material to accompany the presentation, giving buyers a taste of what the new project would look like. I’ve heard it’s planned to play out for a couple of seasons with a far-reaching story arc.
One of the most celebrated television creators of his generation, Gilligan created and executive produced AMC’s critically acclaimed Breaking Bad, which won two Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series. He is the co-creator/executive producer, along with Peter Gould, of the Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul, which has also been a huge awards success, racking up 46 Emmy nominations to date, seven of them this year, including the best drama series Gilligan also earned several Emmy nominations for her work on The X-Files. He is repped by CAA, Storied Media Group and Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka.
