TELEVISION IT’S SAUL ABOUT THE BINGE

Bad star Bob Odenkirk believes the popular drama survived as long as it did thanks to TV streaming services.

The style of binge- watching ushered in by the advent of services such as Netflix and Stan suited the pacing of the show, according to the actor, and kept viewers intrigued on streaming platforms around the world.

“We’re very lucky, Breaking Bad stayed alive because of the kind of streaming bingewatching that began at the third season,” Odenkirk said on a visit to Sydney.

The show ran for five seasons and has led to a career renaissance for the 54 - year- old. Before Breaking Bad, Odenkirk was working in comedy, spearheading his own sketch show, Mr Show, following a stint on Saturday Night Live.

Since landing the role of shady lawyer Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad, he’s had more hardhitting, dramatic roles such as in TV drama Fargo, Oscar- nominated film Nebraska and a starring role in Breaking Bad spin- off, Better Call Saul. “Often times people don’t get a new opportunity at the age of 50 to do just a whole new kind of performance,” he said. Better Call Saul, created by Breaking Bad writers Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, serves as a prequel to the hit show and follows his character’s back story as lawyer Jimmy McGill, before he morphs into Saul Goodman.

In its third season, about to hit screens, the show’s creators are bringing in a familiar face from the Breaking Bad universe: drug boss/ fast food proprietor Gus Fring. Odenkirk says to expect more: “If you think about Gus Fring and you think about who he works with, now you can start to think about who might appear.”