What's Next for 'Breaking Bad's' Vince Gilligan

Vince Gilligan

"I suspect that 2013 is and always will be the absolute pinnacle of my career. The highlight year. But, you know, that’s OK,” says Gilligan, photographed Oct. 10 in Venice, Calif.

The Business

“I realize now that this is a fast-moving business and there’s always something new around the corner. You’ve got to strike while the iron is hot.”

A Paragon

“Especially in show business, there seems to be a license for people to act like children, and Vince really doesn’t do that,” says Breaking writer Peter Gould. “He sets a great example for all of us.”

Keeping Things Positive

Gennifer Hutchison, who was Gilligan’s assistant on The X-Files before segueing to a writer on Bad, would consult a detailed journal she kept so she could prove to him that he’d had similar concerns and everything had worked out. And Gould, with whom Gilligan is co-creating Better Call Saul, the tentatively titled Bad prequel, constantly would trumpet unflagging positivity, uttering affirmations like, “Good things are happening,” with frequency.

On His Emmy

“I was thinking of epoxying it to a bicycle helmet and then just wearing it around everywhere, but it would probably be bad on my neck,” jokes Gilligan of his Emmy.

'Breaking Bad'

Gilligan (left) on set with Paul during the final episode.

'Better Call Saul'

“It’s going to be the same Saul [Bob Odenkirk] we’ve come to recognize and root for, but there’s got to be another side to him that we haven’t yet explored,” says Gilligan of the prequel.

'Breaking Bad'

“I cried,” admits AMC president Charlie Collier of watching Breaking Bad’s final scene.