Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk reveals whether he misses iconic role – and talks pivoting to being an action hero in his 60s

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It’s never too late to start exercising. Take Bob Odenkirk, the actor known for playing the charmingly shady lawyer Saul Goodman in the popular shows Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, as a great example.

Following his action role in the 2019 film Nobody, 63-year-old Bob Odenkirk returns to cinemas in Normal, directed by Ben Wheatley. He plays Ulysses Richardson, a temporary sheriff tasked with maintaining order in a dishonest small town. Everything seems to be going okay for now.

In the game Normal, you take on the role of a sheriff in a Midwestern town dealing with a gangster problem. Did the game’s setting remind you of places you grew up?

I had a really interesting upbringing, moving to Naperville when it was still a small town. Now it’s a pretty big place – around 150,000 people, if I remember right – but when we first arrived, it was barely 20,000, and surrounded by farmland. So I’m really familiar with that kind of Midwestern landscape. Later, I went to college down in Carbondale, way south in Illinois – about 350 miles from Chicago. It’s a drive through a lot of tiny towns and more farmland, honestly.

How does it feel making this late career transition to action hero?

I find it amusing – it feels like I’m playfully tricking expectations. Most people recognize me from Better Call Saul. Although it’s not a typical action show, my character definitely acts like one, just in a different way. He’s not a fighter, but he’s constantly facing emotional risks, using his wits, overcoming obstacles, and always fighting for what he believes in. He embodies all the qualities of an action hero – minus the physical fighting!

How hard has it been to get in shape for such action-heavy cinema?

I’m still in pretty good shape, honestly! But at 63, I have to be careful. Things just… stiffen up as you get older, you know? It’s like your body wants to just lock into place. And for things like action scenes, you really need to stay flexible and avoid injuries. That means I work out every day, but thankfully, I can usually get a good session done in just about 25 minutes.

Did you get any injuries during the making of Normal?

I’ve only been seriously injured while doing things that weren’t physically demanding or action-oriented. For example, I hurt my knee while filming Better Call Saul – I was chasing teenagers at night without warming up and ended up with a bad tear. It was badly bruised and swollen. Interestingly, I’ve never had a significant injury on an action movie set, and that’s because you prepare properly with training and a supportive team who make sure you warm up beforehand.

How much do you miss playing Saul Goodman?

Honestly, I don’t really miss him, not one bit. It’s not that I dislike him – far from it, I actually think he’s great! It’s just that, as a film fan, I’ve seen him in so many roles over the years, I feel like I’ve had my fill for now.

Looking back, are you amazed at the success of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul? What was the key?

The strength of shows like these really lies in the writing. Breaking Bad demonstrated that a story can build slowly and still be incredibly rewarding. Importantly, Breaking Bad finished before viewers lost interest. Had it gone on for a couple more seasons, we might not have had the same enthusiastic reception for Better Call Saul. There was still a strong appetite for that style of storytelling, so when Better Call Saul arrived, people were eager and ready to watch.

What do you look for in a script?

I always try to find the relatable human side of these stories—the emotional core that both I and the audience can connect with.

You began your comedy career with shows like The Ben Stiller Show and Saturday Night Live. Was making people laugh always your goal?

Sketch comedy defined my childhood. I discovered Monty Python at age eleven and was instantly hooked, but the show that truly shaped me was Mr Show. I created and performed on it with my friend David Cross for four years on HBO, and it was a chance to put everything I’d learned about sketch writing into practice – it was exactly the kind of comedy I’d always dreamed of doing.

Do you have a favourite sketch?

You should definitely check out ‘The Fad 3’ on YouTube. It’s a funny Beatles sketch written by my brother Bill – the unique thing is, the Beatles don’t actually play any instruments in it, they just pose for photos!

Did you always think of yourself as funny?

I always felt a pull towards dramatic roles, even when I was doing comedy. I’d be performing with incredibly funny people like David Cross and Chris Farley, and I’d think, ‘I just don’t quite fit in here.’ I realized early on that my humor wasn’t the same as theirs. I felt like I had more depth and a slightly mysterious quality that would be better suited for more serious acting.

Normal is released in UK cinemas on Friday 15 May.

Authors

James Mottram

James Mottram is a London-based film critic, journalist, and author.

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2026-05-11 19:53