If you enjoyed ‘Breaking Bad,’ there’s a good chance you’ve seen its spinoff series, ‘Better Call Saul.’ With the release of ‘Breaking Bad,’ Vince Gilligan immediately established himself as one of the most unique and creative voices in the modern television industry. ‘Breaking Bad’ has gone on to become not only a popular series, but also one of the best television shows ever produced. The majority of the spinoff shows that air each year are created solely to profit from the popularity of the preceding show while it is still fresh in the minds of the viewers. ‘Better Call Saul,’ on the other hand, is the furthest thing imaginable from the original. In terms of engaging characters, a continually growing storyline, and superb writing, the series is a true classic in its own right, and is certainly on par with ‘Breaking Bad.’
‘Better Call Saul’ is based on the character Saul Goodman, who plays Walter White’s lawyer in ‘Breaking Bad.’ Even in the first season, Saul is revealed to be a man with a mysterious history and a keeper of terrible secrets. In ‘Breaking Bad,’ the character was well-developed, and now in ‘Better Call Saul,’ we go into his past to discover why he becomes such a one-man show. As Goodman, Bob Odenkirk delivers another outstanding performance. In ‘Better Call Saul,’ we can witness characters like Gus Fring, Hector Salamanca, Tuco, and Mike, who we’ve already seen in action in ‘Breaking Bad.’ The story revolves around a con artist-turned-lawyer who is one of the most well-written characters in contemporary television. So, without further ado, here is our list of the finest TV programs that are similar to ‘Better Call Saul.’ Several of these TV series, such as ‘Better Call Saul,’ are available on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime.
Breaking Bad (2008 – 2013)
This is the starting point for everything. We knew we were onto something unique the day the first episode of the cult AMC series ‘Breaking Bad’ aired with a half-naked Bryan Cranston standing with a pistol in hand. The character of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher working at a level considerably below his abilities, is the subject of ‘Breaking Bad.’ When he is diagnosed with lung cancer, he starts to create and sell medications to supplement his income. He quickly establishes himself as one of the most well-known drug traffickers, thanks to his product, which is a favorite among meth addicts since it is the purest version of the drug accessible. Walter’s reputation as Heisenberg, the world’s best meth cook, spreads quickly, making him a kingpin in the drug trade’s underbelly.
In every episode of ‘Breaking Bad,’ the storyline is impeccably written and the filmmaking is superb. The primary actor Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman, and Anna Gun as Walter’s wife Skylar give some of the best performances you’ll ever see on television. Walter is a character that hasn’t had much success in his life. When he enters the drug trade, however, the desperate man discovers he was created for it. When he becomes the centerpiece of a billion-dollar drug enterprise, this belief proves to be correct. Walter’s desire for power keeps drawing him back to the trade, even when he has amassed enough wealth to last him several lifetimes. The character’s profound psychological depths are fascinatingly depicted on screen through well-written circumstances. Some of ‘Breaking Bad’s’ episodes can be considered masterclasses in TV series filming. Cranston was nominated four times for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the series.
Fargo (2014 – )
‘Fargo’ is a television series directed by the Coen brothers that is based on one of the most influential crime drama films of all time, the same-named film. The show follows a distinct plot in each season, with one character connecting the first and second seasons. The way the screenplay of this FX series is given a distinctive makeover is fairly comparable to what is done with ‘Better Call Saul.’ Both stories feature characters who are thrust into exceptional events in very real-life scenarios. This strategy juxtaposes each unexpected surge of violence with a penultimate impression on the audience. For its unique character arcs and story aspects that keep us on the edge of our seats, ‘Frago’ has received worldwide critical acclaim.
How To Get Away With Murder (2014 – )
‘How To Get Away With Murder,’ created by Peter Nowalk, portrays the personal and professional life of Annalise Keating, a successful lawyer. Keating is a professor of law at a university, in addition to gaining achievement and accolades from her clientele. Her firm hires five of her most promising pupils as interns, and it is this connection that proves catastrophic for Keating. Soon after, Keating and these interns become embroiled in two murder cases, and it is Keating’s experience with such cases that must be put to full use if these people are to avoid going to jail.
This series’ USPs are a compelling TV show with an intriguing idea and a highly accomplished ensemble cast. Viola Davis, the Academy Award-winning actress who plays Annalise Keating, does an outstanding job in the role. For her work in this series, she was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. In many aspects, Goodman and Keating’s characters are comparable. They have a tight relationship with criminals and will not hesitate to commit crimes themselves if the situation demands it. Because of their bold natures, both characters find themselves in dangerous circumstances, but because to their innate intelligence, they are able to prevent serious harm to their personal and professional lives.
Ray Donovan (2013 – )
Ray Donovan is one of the bravest negotiators on the planet. His employment is resolving conflicts between his law firm and troublesome customers. However, as he continues to seek solutions to other people’s issues, his own life becomes increasingly complicated. His father, a seasoned crook, is freed from prison and enters his life, only to exacerbate the situation. Ray, like Saul, is a very daring character when it comes to unexpected twists and turns in life, which is why this Showtime series belongs on this list. Both of them are able to broker deals for some of the world’s most dangerous individuals. Each time, though, it is Saul or Ray who emerges victorious. Ray’s personal life is juxtaposed with the brutal society in which his clients rule. This portion of the series explains the various aspects of American life and how wildly different they are from one another.
Sneaky Pete (2015 – 2019)
‘Sneaky Pete,’ a narrative about a con guy who walks out of prison after serving his term, was written by David Shore and Bryan Cranston. The outside world, on the other hand, awaits him with the foreboding news of a brutal criminal on the loose out there looking for the con-man who had once robbed him. Marius, the conman, determines that the only way to get rid of his predicament is to assume the identity of Pete, his cellmate in prison. Marius even begins a life with Pete’s family, who are unaware that he is not a part of their clan.
However, living under a false name comes with its own set of issues, and they keep luring Maurice into a bigger trap than the one he was trying to avoid in the first place. The inclusion of ‘Sneaky Pete’ on this list is due to the fact that the show is likewise about a person who hides behind a fictitious name in order to escape his past. Similarly, ex-con Jimmy McGill has changed his name to Saul Goodman in order to start a new life. Both of these characters are sacrificing their identities in order to survive. We understand that a family name is merely a sign with which we prefer to identify ourselves, but when it comes down to it, nothing is more important than survival. ‘Sneaky Pete’ earned largely positive critical acclaim, with reviewers applauding the show’s well-balanced humor and crime drama elements.
