For years, Vince Gilligan redefined prestige television with Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, crafting morally complex characters and slow-burning narratives that gripped audiences worldwide. Now, the Emmy-winning creator is leaving behind meth labs and criminal masterminds for something far stranger—and perhaps more ambitious. His next project, Wycaro 339, is an original science fiction series heading to Apple TV+, and it promises to be a bold pivot into uncharted narrative territory.
“Wycaro 339” is expected to premiere on Apple TV+ sometime in the summer of 2025. Filming for the first season wrapped in late 2024 and we already know that the first two seasons have been ordered by Apple (so expect this show to be a mainstay).
What Is Wycaro?
Officially untitled for some time, Wycaro (also referred to in production circles as Wycaro 339) marks Gilligan’s long-awaited return to television post-Saul. Apple TV+ was quick to secure the project with a rare two-season, straight-to-series order—clear evidence of the trust they’ve placed in Gilligan’s creative instincts.
Unlike his previous shows, which explored crime and morality in modern-day Albuquerque, Wycaro is being described as a genre-blending “grounded sci-fi” drama. Gilligan himself has said the show will include “no crime and no meth,” drawing a firm line between his past work and this new direction. Yet fans can expect his signature narrative depth and character introspection to remain intact.
Set in present-day Albuquerque, Wycaro will take place in what Gilligan calls “a very different version” of the city. The central premise revolves around a mysterious, reality-shifting event that occurs in the very first episode—an abrupt change that rewires the rules of the world. From there, the series reportedly explores how ordinary people cope with an extraordinary and inexplicable new reality. Though details are under lock and key, some early industry chatter hints at a subtle alien presence or a cosmic anomaly—not overt space battles or sci-fi clichés, but something more human-focused and unsettling, akin to the vibe of The Leftovers or The Twilight Zone.
A Rhea Seehorn-Centered Vehicle
Perhaps the most exciting part of Wycaro is its leading actor: Rhea Seehorn. Her breakout performance as Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul earned her critical acclaim and fan devotion, and Gilligan has made it clear he wrote this new show with her specifically in mind.
Seehorn plays a “damaged but striving” protagonist—far removed from Kim Wexler. This character, who reportedly grapples with internal wounds and external chaos, is a deliberate attempt to explore different emotional textures. Also joining the cast is Karolina Wydra (House, True Blood), who plays a character named Ana, described as optimistic and warm, offering a possible counterbalance to the show’s darker undercurrents.
Production Scale and Release Timeline
Filming for Season 1 began in early 2024 and wrapped by fall. Set almost entirely in New Mexico, the production involved over 1,400 local hires, a testament to both the scale of the project and Gilligan’s continued loyalty to the region that shaped his career. Albuquerque has become a quiet production hub in the U.S., and Wycaro looks to be one of the state’s most significant television undertakings yet.
As of now, Apple TV+ has not confirmed a specific premiere date, but Gilligan has mentioned aiming for a summer or fall 2025 launch. Given Apple’s strong push into genre storytelling with shows like Severance, Foundation, and Silo, Wycaro is poised to become one of the platform’s flagship series.
How Wycaro Fits Into Gilligan’s Legacy
While Wycaro marks a thematic departure, it continues Gilligan’s long-standing exploration of how people respond to disruption. Whether it’s Walter White’s descent into villainy or Saul Goodman’s morally gray maneuvering, Gilligan has always been interested in characters at crossroads. Wycaro seems to shift that focus into the metaphysical realm—examining how identity, society, and sanity hold up when reality itself begins to shift.
In interviews, Gilligan has cited influences like The Twilight Zone and E.T., suggesting a tone that mixes awe, melancholy, and subtle horror. Expect a slow burn, not space operas—an existential drama with sci-fi flavor, not a visual effects bonanza.
Connected Projects & Continuing Legacy
Wycaro isn’t the only thing keeping the Better Call Saul universe alive. In February 2025, critic Alan Sepinwall published Saul Goodman v. Jimmy McGill, a behind-the-scenes book detailing the show’s creation, including surprising anecdotes—like AMC’s initial reluctance to even include Saul in Breaking Bad at all.
Meanwhile, Rhea Seehorn recently honored Vince Gilligan at the 2025 Writers Guild Awards, presenting him with the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for his contributions to TV writing. Their continued collaboration on Wycaro reflects a creative synergy rarely seen in Hollywood today.
As for future Breaking Bad-related content, Gilligan has been clear: Wycaro is not connected to that universe. However, Giancarlo Esposito (Gus Fring) has expressed interest in a prequel series centered on his character’s rise, though no such project has been officially greenlit.
Final Thoughts
In a television landscape crowded with sequels and spin-offs, Wycaro represents something rare: a bold, original story from a proven master of the medium. With its enigmatic premise, talented cast, and Gilligan’s track record, Wycaro is shaping up to be one of the most important shows of 2025—and possibly a defining entry in the next evolution of prestige sci-fi TV.
A Look Back At The End Of Better Call Saul
The fifth and final season of Better Call Saul originally aired on AMC from February to April 2020, receiving critical acclaim for its storytelling and performances. Season 5 of Better Call Saul became available on Netflix on April 4, 2022, for viewers outside the United States who enjoy Netflix’s international distribution rights.
Better Call Saul’s fifth season represents a pivotal turning point in Jimmy McGill’s transformation into Saul Goodman, with darker themes and complex character developments that bring the series closer to the Breaking Bad timeline. The season delves deeper into the criminal underworld of Albuquerque while exploring the moral compromises of its central characters.
Narrative Arc and Main Characters
Season five follows Jimmy McGill officially practicing law under the name Saul Goodman. This identity shift marks a significant step in his evolution toward becoming the criminal lawyer we meet in Breaking Bad. Kim Wexler’s character undergoes surprising development as she becomes increasingly comfortable with Jimmy’s morally questionable schemes.
Mike Ehrmantraut deepens his involvement with Gus Fring’s operation, taking on more dangerous assignments. Their conflict with Lalo Salamanca escalates throughout the season, creating tension across multiple storylines.
Nacho Varga finds himself caught between Gus and the Salamanca family, forced to make difficult choices to ensure his survival. His precarious position becomes increasingly dangerous as the season progresses.
The season builds toward a shocking finale where several character arcs converge in unexpected ways.
Connection to Breaking Bad
Season five of Better Call Saul takes place in 2004, approximately four years before Jimmy/Saul’s first encounter with Walter White in Breaking Bad. This timeline placement helps viewers understand how the prequel’s events lead to the original series.
Gus Fring’s drug operation expansion closely mirrors what viewers learned in Breaking Bad. His methodical approach to eliminating threats and building his empire becomes more evident.
Several Breaking Bad characters make meaningful appearances, strengthening the connection between the two shows. These cameos help bridge the narrative gap while maintaining the prequel’s unique identity.
The relationships between key characters evolve in ways that explain their eventual positions in Breaking Bad. Particularly notable is Jimmy’s moral decline and his growing comfort with representing criminals.
Critical Reception and Ratings
Better Call Saul’s fifth season received widespread critical acclaim. Many reviewers considered it the show’s strongest season, praising its pacing and character development.
The season holds an impressive 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics highlighted Bob Odenkirk’s performance as Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman as particularly noteworthy.
Rhea Seehorn’s portrayal of Kim Wexler garnered special attention, with many critics arguing her performance deserved Emmy recognition. Tony Dalton’s Lalo Salamanca was also praised as one of the show’s most compelling antagonists.
Despite critical acclaim, the fifth season maintained similar viewership numbers to previous seasons, averaging about 1.5 million viewers per episode. The show’s popularity on streaming platforms continued to grow, cementing its reputation as one of television’s most respected dramas.
Release Details and Accessibility
Better Call Saul Season 5 arrived on Netflix US on April 4, 2022, nearly two years after its original AMC broadcast. The release timing coincided with the approach of the final season, giving fans a chance to catch up before the series conclusion.
Netflix Availability and Regions
The availability of Better Call Saul Season 5 varied significantly by region due to distribution rights with AMC. International Netflix subscribers had access to Season 5 much earlier than US viewers. While the first four seasons were available on Netflix US for some time, Season 5 was notably absent until April 2022.
The timing was strategic, as Netflix released Season 5 just two weeks before Season 6 premiered on AMC. This allowed viewers to refresh their memory of important plot developments before the series finale began.
For US viewers who didn’t want to wait, the season was previously available through AMC’s platforms and various pay-per-view services.
Special Features and Extras
Netflix’s release of Better Call Saul Season 5 includes all ten episodes from the season that originally aired from February 23 to April 20, 2020. The platform typically includes bonus content that enhances the viewing experience.
Fans of the Breaking Bad universe could also find related content on Netflix, including El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. This film serves as a sequel to Breaking Bad and complements the Better Call Saul storyline.
The fifth season is particularly significant as it moves closer to the Breaking Bad timeline. It features important character developments that bridge the gap between Jimmy McGill and the Saul Goodman viewers met in Breaking Bad.
