Vince Gilligan on Breaking Bad Spin-offs: Never Say Never, But He's Scared!

The mastermind behind Walter White's epic journey and Saul Goodman's origins, Vince Gilligan, has opened up about the future of the Breaking Bad universe, admitting that while the door isn't entirely shut, he's got some major reservations.

TL;DR: The Lowdown on More Breaking Bad

• Vince Gilligan says "never say never" to more Breaking Bad spin-offs, acknowledging the rich universe and talented cast.
• His main concern is "messing up people's memories" and tarnishing the legacy of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
• Gilligan is currently focused on his new Apple TV+ series, Pluribus, which stars Rhea Seehorn and features a hero instead of an anti-hero.

Is the Breaking Bad Universe Truly Done for Good?

Let's be real: few shows have captivated us and earned such legendary status as Breaking Bad. From its gripping transformation of high school chemistry teacher Walter White into the notorious Heisenberg, to its impeccably crafted prequel, Better Call Saul, and the follow-up film El Camino, Vince Gilligan's universe is nothing short of a television marvel. We're talking 16 Emmys for Breaking Bad alone, including four for Bryan Cranston's incredible lead performance, and Better Call Saul somehow managed an even higher Rotten Tomatoes score at 98%!

So, it’s no surprise that fans are always hungry for more, and the question of additional spin-offs constantly swirls. Gilligan himself recently weighed in on this during interviews with The Hollywood Reporter and NME while promoting his new Apple TV+ series, Pluribus. His answer? It's complicated, but ultimately, it's a cautious "never say never."

Why Vince Gilligan is Hesitant to Revisit His Legendary Worlds

While Gilligan acknowledges the vast potential for new stories within the Breaking Bad universe, his main reason for holding back is incredibly relatable for any artist: the fear of ruining a good thing. After dedicating nearly two decades to crafting these complex, morally ambiguous narratives, he’s ready for a change of pace.

"I've done 20 years of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul," Gilligan explained. "I'm not tired of it. I'm not worn out on it, but I am ready for a hero, for a change, instead of a villain or an anti-hero." This desire to explore a different type of protagonist is a big driver for his current projects.

But beyond creative shifts, there's a deeper, more protective sentiment at play. Gilligan lives in genuine fear of "messing up people's memories" of his beloved shows. He’d rather leave fans wanting more than serve up something disappointing.

Vince Gilligan on risking the legacy:

"I'd rather disappoint folks by not giving them any more Breaking Bad than have them say, 'Okay, man, that was a really great multi-course meal, but that last serving in the dessert bowl was dog sht. Now I've got a bad taste in my mouth, and that's all I remember now.' So I don't want to do that. I really don't want to do that."

It’s a refreshing take in an industry often driven by milking successful franchises dry. Gilligan truly values the impact his work has had and isn't willing to compromise that for additional content, even if it means leaving "a little money on the table, a little desire on the table." He admitted that walking away from the franchise was "scary" and "remains scary," which speaks volumes about the weight of his decision.

The Incredible Ensemble of Actors Who Could Carry New Breaking Bad Stories

Despite his hesitation, Gilligan fully understands why fans and executives keep asking for more. The Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul universes are bursting with rich characters, brought to life by what Gilligan calls a "murderer's row of actors." He’s clearly proud of the talent he's worked with, stating, "Pretty much any of the major players from either show could carry their own TV show."

He even gave specific shout-outs to some standout performers, noting: "The same goes for the astounding actors we worked with on El Camino. The two Scotts, [MacArthur and Shepherd], God, those guys are good. And, of course, there's Jesse Plemons, who everyone in the world knows now. That guy went through the roof, and deservedly so."

Fans have certainly been vocal about who they'd love to see next. Giancarlo Esposito, who masterfully played the chilling Gus Fring, has openly expressed his desire for a spin-off focused on his character's rise in the New Mexico drug trade. Imagining a Gus Fring origin story, or perhaps a deeper dive into Jesse Pinkman's life after the events of El Camino, are just a couple of the many exciting possibilities that keep the fanbase buzzing.

What Vince Gilligan Is Cooking Up Next: Introducing 'Pluribus'

While we might not be getting more Breaking Bad anytime soon, Gilligan hasn’t been sitting idle. He’s channeled his creative energy into a brand-new original series for Apple TV+ called Pluribus, set to premiere on November 7, 2025. And guess who's starring? None other than Rhea Seehorn, who brilliantly portrayed Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul!

This new sci-fi drama sounds like a stark departure from the grim world of meth kingpins. Pluribus is about a society where a mysterious virus has made everyone perpetually happy. Seehorn's character, Carol Sturka, is the hero Gilligan longed to write – a "flawed but determined woman" who is somehow immune to this forced happiness and sets out to "uncover and remedy a mysterious global disorder." It sounds like a fascinating flip from the anti-heroes we're used to.

Despite the familiar face of Rhea Seehorn and the fact that Pluribus is filmed in Albuquerque (the iconic setting for Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul), Gilligan has clarified that his new show is not set in the same universe. He admitted he almost chose a different location to avoid confusion but ultimately decided to stay in Albuquerque to continue working with his beloved, longtime crew. He considers them like family and wanted to keep them employed, plus they already understand his vision and style, making production smoother. So, don't go looking for Heisenberg easter eggs in Pluribus!

The Enduring Impact of Breaking Bad and Continued Fan Speculation

As Breaking Bad approaches its 20th anniversary, the fervor for more stories from its universe isn't likely to die down. The show’s consistent availability on streaming services like Netflix means new generations are constantly discovering it, fueling the passionate "Gilligan faithful."

While Gilligan's current reluctance is understandable after pouring so much into the franchise, fans can still hope that a truly compelling idea might entice him back someday. After all, he did return for Better Call Saul, and that show proved it was possible to expand the universe without diluting its quality, with some even arguing it surpassed the original.

For now, we can respect Gilligan's decision to protect his masterpieces and look forward to seeing his new vision come to life with Pluribus. But a small part of every fan will always keep that "never say never" hope alive for a return to the streets of Albuquerque.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Breaking Bad Universe

Where can I stream Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul? Both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul are available to stream on Netflix. El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie is also on Netflix. What is Vince Gilligan's new show, Pluribus, about? Pluribus is a sci-fi drama on Apple TV+ starring Rhea Seehorn as Carol Sturka, a woman immune to a virus that makes everyone happy. She sets out to uncover and fix a mysterious global disorder. Is Pluribus connected to the Breaking Bad universe? No, Vince Gilligan has clarified that Pluribus exists in its own separate universe, despite being filmed in Albuquerque and starring Rhea Seehorn. How many Emmys did Breaking Bad win? Breaking Bad won a total of 16 Emmy Awards during its run, including two for Outstanding Drama Series and four for Bryan Cranston as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

Sources:

• Various reports via The Hollywood Reporter, NME, FandomWire, ComingSoon.net, SSBCrack News, ScreenRant.