Where Breaking Bad's Charles Baker Stands On A Pete And Badger Spin-Off
"Breaking Bad" is filled to the brim with fascinating characters. Obviously, there are the star players, such as Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), but the crime drama arguably wouldn't be as compelling if it didn't have the supporting characters to fill in the world. These various characters can serve multiple purposes, like motivation for character arcs and comedic relief, which a more serious show like "Breaking Bad" definitely needs from time to time.
Perhaps two of the biggest examples of the latter are Jesse's friends, Skinny Pete (Charles Baker) and Badger (Matt Jones). The pair pop up occasionally throughout the series, usually as lackeys for Jesse and Walt's schemes, though they really make their mark in the follow-up film, "El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie," where they help Jesse after he makes his getaway in the series finale of "Breaking Bad." Fans who are interested in keeping this particular world alive, especially after the end of the spin-off series "Better Call Saul," may find themselves asking why Pete and Badger can't get their own spin-off show. Well, as it turns out, Baker has his own feelings about such an idea.
Baker would only do it if Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan signs off
During an interview with eBaum's World in 2022, Skinny Pete actor Charles Baker gave his own thoughts on the idea of a spin-off series centered around his character and Badger, and he wasn't inherently opposed to the idea. The two major catches are that "Breaking Bad" creator Vince Gilligan would have to sign off on it and that it would need to actually feel necessary. Baker did stress that he very much enjoyed playing the role, however.
"I trust Vince Gilligan and that crew to know what's right and to know what will work," Baker said. "And if they don't want to force it, I don't want to be part of that. I would happily jump into that role again if they could find a way to make it make sense and make it work, not just for the sake of money, but because they feel it is necessary. I love the character. I love the role."
Baker's logic here makes a lot of sense. The reason that "Better Call Saul" arguably worked so well is that it filled in the holes of a vitally important character while also expanding on "Breaking Bad" in interesting ways. While a Pete and Badger spin-off would not necessarily have to go down a similar path, it should at least feel like it's being made for more than just the sake of doing it. Gilligan himself has stated that he wants to be done with the "Breaking Bad" universe and move on to other projects, but in the world of Hollywood, nothing is ever impossible.