How a Sitcom Gave Birth to One of Breaking Bad’s Most Iconic Characters

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Occasionally, groundbreaking achievements in cinema and broadcasting emerge from unexpected circumstances. Creators are compelled to take an unanticipated detour, and genius is consequently born. The critically acclaimed series “Breaking Bad” is a testament to a multitude of happy accidents that somehow harmoniously culminated into a masterpiece. Few, if any, predicted the unfolding of this collective brilliance as it transpired. It’s common knowledge that Bob Odenkirk’s memorable character, Saul Goodman, was initially meant for a four-episode stint; however, his popularity with both critics and audiences led to an extended stay and eventually a spinoff series of his own. Interestingly, Odenkirk’s presence on the show paved the way for another iconic character – Mike Ehrmantraut, portrayed by Jonathan Banks.

Reflecting on the iconic TV show, it’s hard to imagine how different things might have been without Mike serving as Saul’s reliable investigator and problem solver. Interestingly, this character almost didn’t exist at all. The creator of ‘Breaking Bad’, Vince Gilligan, introduced Mike into the series solely to explain Saul’s absence during a time when Bob Odenkirk was shooting another show.

If Not for How I Met Your Mother, There Would be No Mike Ehrmantraut on Breaking Bad

Gilligan’s team was really fond of Odenkirk’s portrayal of Saul, so they decided to give the character a bigger role than initially planned. Unfortunately, this created a conflict in schedules because Odenkirk had another recurring role on “How I Met Your Mother” from 2008-2012, where he played Jason Segel’s boss.

During a temporary absence of Odenkirk from continuing his character’s story on Breaking Bad, creators Gilligan and the writing team brought in actor Banks to portray Mike, ensuring that Saul’s narrative remained active in Odenkirk’s absence.

In a typical TV series, a character similar to Mike might have appeared briefly and then been written off when the original character (Saul) returned from a break. But Gilligan had something more strategic planned; instead of dismissing Mike, he recognized his character’s potential and decided to keep him as part of the main cast for an extended period.

If you’re curious about how character Mike fits into the larger narrative of “Breaking Bad”, we’ve got you covered: Mike, a veteran Marine and ex-cop, is currently involved in criminal activities with connections to a ruthless Mexican drug cartel. This cartel is also associated with another main character, Gustavo Fring, played by Giancarlo Esposito. Mike debuts on the show in the final episode of Season 2, titled “ABQ.

As a devoted cinephile, let me share my perspective: In the world of cinema, I’m reintroduced to Mike, a private investigator and problem solver, when Saul calls upon his services to handle the complex fallout from the tragic demise of Jesse’s girlfriend, Jane.

How Did Mike Go From Guest Star to Series Regular?

In just a short time on the show, Banks proved so impressive that the creators kept writing roles for him, eventually upgrading him to a regular cast member in Season 3. Mike, as it turned out, played a key role, acting as a link between drug kingpin Gustavo and main character Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston).

Mike remains an essential component of the show throughout its run, until Walter ultimately outsmarts him in Season 5. Notably, Mike later reappears in a significant role for the prequel series, titled “Better Call Saul”.

It’s intriguing to reflect on how easily Gilligan and his companions adjusted their course as they plotted the storyline for the series, often choosing to go with the flow and see what interesting twists fate would bring their way. This method seems to have worked wonderfully for the show Breaking Bad.

After the final episodes of “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” along with the Netflix release of the movie “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Story,” it seems that there won’t be any new content from this series for a while. But don’t worry, we’ll keep you updated if anything changes in the future!

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2025-05-27 22:15