Written by on May 15, 2014. Posted in On Location

Breaking Bad spinoff series Better Call Saul confirmed for New Mexico filming

The New Mexico Film Office has confirmed that Better Call Saul, a spinoff series from the crime drama Breaking Bad, will film in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Better Call Saul will follow the exploits of criminal lawyer Saul Goodman before he met crystal meth dealer Walter White.

“We welcome this incredible production team back to the state,” said New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis: “They have proven to be excellent partners with the city of Albuquerque and the state of New Mexico.”

Added Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry: “Given the tremendous acclaim associated with Vince Gilligan’s productions, we are thrilled to learn that Better Call Saul will be filmed in Albuquerque. We enthusiastically welcome back Sony and AMC and are proud to add this production to the long list of creative and original shows filmed in our city.”

Breaking Bad filmed in Albuquerque throughout its five-season run and helped raise the profile of both the city and the state of New Mexico. Filming for Breaking Bad was originally planned for California, but New Mexico’s more generous 25% filming incentive programme convinced the producers to switch. New Mexico increased its TV incentive to 30% after the success of Breaking Bad.

Actor Bob Odenkirk will return to play Saul Goodman in the spinoff series. Breaking Bad stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul are rumoured for cameo appearances as Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.

New Mexico’s filming incentive programme has helped establish the state as one of California’s main regional competitors. Recent high-profile features have included Johnny Depp’s sci-fi movie Transcendence and Mark Wahlberg’s war film Lone Survivor, which doubled the state for Afghanistan.

(Photo: AMC)