Despite being one of Better Call Saul’s breakout characters, the show’s writers had no idea what Kim Wexler’s (Rhea Seehorn) ultimate role would be in the series. The show itself began airing in 2015 and was billed as a prequel to Breaking Bad that would follow the criminal lawyer Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) in the years preceding the events of that show. Since season 1, Kim has become one of the most pivotal characters in the entire series and is arguably the most critical figure in McGill’s life before adopting the Saul Goodman moniker.
Despite technically being a prequel, Better Call Saul has crafted its own world throughout five seasons. Characters from Breaking Bad do frequently appear (like Giancarlo Esposito’s ironic crime lord, Gus Fring), but their role never eclipses the story of Jimmy McGill’s descent into the criminal underworld. Many of the show’s most nuanced characters are wholly original, such as Kim Wexler. Her fiercely loyal yet dryly sardonic personality sets her apart from the grittier aspects of the show, which immediately endeared her to audiences. And yet, despite her ballooning importance to the show’s core narrative, it seems the writers initially went in with no plans for the character.
In a recent interview with Den of Geek, the show’s executive producer, Thomas Schnauz, revealed how the team initially approached Kim’s role in the series. According to Schnauz, the show’s producers “had zero idea what Kim’s role would be in the series.” He says that the “writers were still debating [Kim’s history with Jimmy] into season 2.” Check out the executive producer’s full comments below:
We had zero idea what Kim’s role would be in the series. In fact, I think the writers were still debating into season 2 if Kim and Jimmy had an intimate relationship prior to us meeting her in season 1, or were they just friends? I wrote the line about the “sex robot voice” in episode 3, so I was in the camp of: “they started something but career took over and it didn’t quite go anywhere.” We knew Rhea was good when we saw her audition tape, but then seeing her in the role as we were filming season 1 — all the nuance, the humor, the gleam in her eyes — we knew we had a special combination with her and Bob.
It’s interesting to learn how loosely the show’s writers initially handled Kim considering the character’s sheer importance to the show in its later seasons. Given that Better Call Saul is a prequel to Breaking Bad, one might assume that every little narrative thread from the start of the show would have a conclusion planned out. Because of this, fans have been speculating whether or not Kim’s fate would end in death or some other tragedy each season. It seems now that the show’s writers didn’t even know.
Writing in any creative capacity is often a very organic process that requires improvisation and intuitive decision-making skills. The writers behind Better Call Saul have mastered this skill, having created a beloved character without any ultimate goals or plans in sight. Hopefully, Kim Wexler receives a worthy sendoff that pays off the character’s broad five-season arc.
