Despite his untimely demise on “Breaking Bad,” we haven’t seen the last of Mike Ehrmantraut.
Jonathan Banks, who played Ehrmantraut on the AMC hit, has signed on to reprise the role on the network’s upcoming “Breaking Bad” spinoff/prequel “Better Call Saul.”
Also read: ‘Breaking Bad’ Prequel ‘Better Call Saul’ Will Be a ‘Very Funny’ Drama, AMC Exec Says
The series will focus on ethically flexible lawyer Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), in the time before he became the attorney of teacher-turned-meth baron Walter White. Banks’ Ehrmantraut character occasionally served as Goodman’s private investigator, cleaner and fixer, when he wasn’t serving as the head of corporate security for drug lord Gustavo Fring’s Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant.
“Better Call Saul” has been slated for a November premiere.
Also read: ‘Breaking Bad’ Spinoff ‘Better Call Saul’ to Hit Netflix After First Season Finale
AMC executive vice president of programming, production and digital content Joel Stillerman told TheWrap earlier this month that “Better Call Saul” will be a drama, but nonetheless “very funny.”
According to Stillerman, “Breaking Bad” creator Vince Gilligan is excited about the prospect of rethinking the traditional boundaries of a drama.
Also read: ‘Breaking Bad’s’ Jesse Plemons Eyed for Lead in ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ (Exclusive)
“You know, taking an inherently funny character and surprising people in both directions,” Stillerman said. “It’s an hour show, it will be a drama, but it will also be very funny, as Bob’s character was on that show.”
Deadline first reported the news of Banks’ casting.