Gustavo Fring

Lore & Background

Gus Fring enters the story of Better Call Saul in its third season as a main cast member for the first time. He begins a partnership with Mike Ehrmantraut, a former Philadelphia police officer who is engaged in a feud with the Salamancas. Meanwhile, Nacho Varga, a member of the Salamanca drug ring, is plotting to murder their rival, Hector Salamanca. Gus operates his drug distribution through Los Pollos Hermanos, a chain of fast food restaurants that serves as a front for his criminal activities. Giancarlo Esposito expressed excitement about returning to the Breaking Bad universe, saying, "I love this family of filmmakers a great deal" and noted the opportunity to explore "some of the backstory of Gus and how he rose to power and how he came to be." He distinguished this version of Gus from the one seen in Breaking Bad, describing him as "a little more hopeful, a little more energetic, maybe not as definitive in some of his actions."

In Their Own Story

Gus Fring is introduced in the third season of Better Call Saul as a methamphetamine distributor who partners with Mike Ehrmantraut. Mike, a former police officer, is already engaged in a feud with the Salamanca drug ring after they threatened his family. Gus uses his restaurant chain Los Pollos Hermanos as a cover for his drug operations. Giancarlo Esposito, who plays Gus, noted that the time period of Better Call Saul "takes us to a time where his look may be little bit different" and that he wanted to portray Gus as "a little fresher, a little less jaded." The character's backstory involves his rise to power within the drug trade, a story Esposito had "always wanted to explore in a very subtle way in the right venue."

Reader's Guide

Gustavo Fring is a major figure in the criminal underworld of Better Call Saul, introduced as a main cast member in the third season. He operates as a methamphetamine distributor, using his fast food chain Los Pollos Hermanos as a legitimate front. His key relationship in this season is with Mike Ehrmantraut, a former police officer who becomes his partner. Mike is already in conflict with the Salamanca drug ring, and Gus's interests align with taking down their rival Hector Salamanca. Giancarlo Esposito described this version of Gus as being at an earlier point in his career: "The time period alone takes us to a time where his look may be little bit different. I wanted him to be little more hopeful, a little more energetic, maybe not as definitive in some of his actions because he's a Gus that we've never met before."

Did You Know?

• Giancarlo Esposito first appears as Gus Fring in the second episode of the third season, titled 'Witness'.
• This is the first season of Better Call Saul to feature Giancarlo Esposito as a member of the main cast.
• Esposito described his character as 'a little fresher, a little less jaded' than the Gus seen in Breaking Bad.
• Gus uses his fast food restaurant chain Los Pollos Hermanos as a front for his methamphetamine distribution.
• Esposito said he was 'over the moon' about returning to the Breaking Bad universe for Better Call Saul.