Thomas Schnauz
A writer who helped shape Jimmy McGill's transformation into Saul Goodman.
Thomas Schnauz is a television writer and producer who contributed to Better Call Saul, the AMC crime drama series created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. He was part of the creative team that developed the show, which serves primarily as a prequel to Breaking Bad, examining the ethical decline of Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) as he becomes the criminal-defense attorney Saul Goodman. Schnauz's work helped shape the narrative arc of the series, which premiered on February 8, 2015, and ended on August 15, 2022, after six seasons totaling 63 episodes.
- Series
- Better Call Saul & Breaking Bad
- Collaborators
- Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould
- Recognition
- Writers Guild of America Nominations
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Thomas Schnauz worked on Better Call Saul, a spin-off of Breaking Bad set primarily in the early to mid-2000s in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The show follows Jimmy McGill, a former con artist and aspiring lawyer, as he becomes the egocentric criminal-defense attorney Saul Goodman. It also follows Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks), a former corrupt police officer who becomes a fixer for drug traffickers. The series includes black-and-white flashforwards set in 2010, after Breaking Bad, exploring the consequences of Saul's actions. Schnauz contributed to a show that received critical acclaim, with praise for its acting, characters, writing, direction, and cinematography, and garnered 53 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, setting a record for the most-nominated show to never win an Emmy.
In Their Own Story
The writers' room for Better Call Saul, co-run by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, developed the series from 2013 onward. Gilligan and Gould began considering a Saul Goodman spin-off in 2009, settling on an hour-long tragedy showing how he develops into the character seen in Breaking Bad. Schnauz was part of the production staff that returned from Breaking Bad, working on a show that chronicles Jimmy's gradual transformation over a two-year period spanning approximately 2002 to 2004. The series explores Jimmy's relationship with his brother Chuck McGill, his romance with Kim Wexler, and his involvement with the drug cartel, including characters like Gus Fring and the Salamancas.
Reader's Guide
Better Call Saul is set primarily in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the early to mid-2000s, several years before Breaking Bad. The show examines Jimmy McGill's ethical decline as he moves from public defender to the flamboyant criminal lawyer Saul Goodman. Key storylines include Jimmy's class-action lawsuit against Sandpiper Crossing, his strained relationship with his brother Chuck, and his growing ties to the criminal underworld through Mike Ehrmantraut and Nacho Varga. The series also features the conflict between Gus Fring's drug operation and the Salamanca family, led by Hector and later Lalo Salamanca. Flashforwards in black and white show Jimmy living as a fugitive under the identity Gene Takavic in Omaha, Nebraska, after the events of Breaking Bad.
Did You Know?
- Better Call Saul premiered on AMC on February 8, 2015, and ended on August 15, 2022, after six seasons totaling 63 episodes.
- The series holds the record for the most Primetime Emmy Award nominations (53) without ever winning an Emmy.
- The series premiere held the record for the highest-rated scripted series premiere in basic cable history at the time of its airing.
- Better Call Saul includes black-and-white flashforwards set in 2010, after the events of Breaking Bad, showing Jimmy living as Gene Takavic, a Cinnabon manager in Omaha, Nebraska.
- Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould began considering a Saul Goodman spin-off in 2009, and development started during the production of Breaking Bad's final season in 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Thomas Schnauz in relation to Better Call Saul?
He serves as a television writer and producer who was integral to the AMC crime drama's development. Working alongside creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, he helped define the show's tone before it premiered in 2015.
What specific story elements did Thomas Schnauz influence?
His writing contributed significantly to Jimmy McGill's narrative arc as he transforms into Saul Goodman. This focus on ethical decline was central to the series' identity as a Breaking Bad prequel.
Did Thomas Schnauz receive industry awards for this work?
He garnered nominations from the Writers Guild of America for his scripts during the show's run. These honors reflect the high regard in which the writing team was held by peers.
How many seasons did Thomas Schnauz contribute to?
He remained part of the production team across all six seasons and 63 episodes of the series. His involvement lasted from the February 2015 premiere through the August 2022 finale.
Why is Thomas Schnauz important to fans of the franchise?
Fans recognize him for helping shape the complex legal and criminal storylines that connect Jimmy McGill to Walter White's world. His work ensured consistency within the shared universe established by Gilligan and Gould.
More in Production & Themes
Elsewhere in the Better Call Saul universe
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