Better Call Saul would have been a completely different series if Giancarlo Esposito hadn’t returned as criminal mastermind and Los Pollos Hermanos owner Gus Fring. While the character didn’t show up until the third season, he quickly became one of the show’s most important characters. With Esposito back in the role, the Breaking Bad prequel was able to delve further into Fring’s history, including a compelling story arc involving his feud with nemesis Lalo Salamanca (Tony Dalton).
It was not an immediate yes from Esposito when he was asked to return as Gus, however. Esposito had previously garnered widespread praise from fans and critics for his unforgettable performance as Gus in Breaking Bad, and this had him concerned that a return could potentially tarnish that good work. After some talks with series co-creator Vince Gilligan, however, Esposito realized they were on the same page, and he agreed to sign on. As Esposito explains in a new interview with GQ:
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Gicancarlo Esposito Wanted to Do Something Different as Gus
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Esposito says Gilligan told him he’d be part of the ensemble cast, asking him to do pretty much the same thing he’d done with the character on Breaking Bad. But Esposito says he wanted to be challenged by the role before accepting, and given how the show was a prequel that would allow for some more vulnerability in the character, the actor was intrigued.
It was a good call, as Esposito has been widely praised for his return as Gus in Better Call Saul. This includes a recent win at the Critics’ Choice TV Awards for Best Supporting Actor with his performance as Gus in the show’s final season. He’d previously won the same award when playing Gus for Breaking Bad.
