'Breaking Bad' Creator Vince Gilligan Extends Deal with Sony Pictures TV

Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan has re-upped with Sony Pictures TV, a studio spokesperson confirmed to THR. The deal keeps Gilligan at Sony into summer 2013 encompassing production on the final 16 episodes of Gilligan's AMC series.

PHOTOS: Midseason TV Preview

Production on the final season — which will air in two batches of eight episodes apiece — is set to begin in March. AMC and Gilligan announced last summer that the series would come to a close. And Gilligan’s new deal with Sony calls for him to develop subsequent projects there.

Announcement of the final season renewal last summer capped weeks of tense talks between AMC and Sony during which the studio was putting out feelers to rival cable networks about carrying the series in the event it could not come to an agreement with AMC over financing.

Q&A: 'Breaking Bad' Creator Vince Gilligan Reflects on the Show's Place in TV History

But few expected it to come to that; the show, along with Mad Men, has been an awards magnet and important element in the creation of AMC as a destination for edgy, quality drama. Series star Bryan Cranston has won three Emmys for his role as Walter White, and Gilligan snagged a WGA award for penning the series pilot.