AMC's forthcoming 'Breaking Bad' prequel series 'Better Call Saul' inspired us with a bit of hope in its promise to potentially jump time both before and after Walter White, but we knew only half the story. Find out exactly when 'Better Call Saul' takes place in Saul Goodman's life with AMC's new synopsis, and what new name we'll be calling Saul in early 2015!

Series creator Vince Gilligan and executive producer Peter Gould swung by the TCA press tour panel to offer up a few new details of the already-renewed 'Breaking Bad' spinoff, though before the panel took place, AMC issued a new synopsis with some surprising details. Not only will 'Better Call Saul' pick up exactly six years before Saul met Walter White, but the Saul we meet goes by his original identity, small-time lawyer Jimmy McGill!

The series is set six years before Saul Goodman meets Walter White. When we meet him, the man who will become Saul Goodman is known as Jimmy McGill, a small-time lawyer searching for his destiny, and, more immediately, hustling to make ends meet. Working alongside, and, often, against Jimmy, is "fixer" Mike Ehrmantraut, a beloved character introduced in 'Breaking Bad.' The series will track Jimmy's transformation into Saul Goodman, the man who puts "criminal" in "Criminal lawyer." The series' tone is dramatic, woven with dark humor.

Set to premiere in early 2015 (Gilligan offered that AMC allowed him to work at a slower pace, hence the delay), 'Better Call Saul' will feature Jonathan Banks returning as Mike Ehrmantraut, alongside a new cast that includes Christopher Guest alum Michael McKean as Saul's brother Chuck, ‘The Last Exorcism’ star Patrick Fabian as “Kennedy-type” white-shoe law firm lawyer Hamlin, Rhea Seehorn as fellow lawyer Kim, and ‘Orphan Black”s Michael Mando as Spanish-speaking career criminal Nacho. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul have also expressed their interest in appearing on the series, though Dean Norris appeared to reject the idea.

Gilligan and Gould also downplayed the idea that we might see Giancarlo Esposito's Gus Fring on the series, given that Saul hadn't been thought to actually know the man, and they want Saul to carry his own series. Gilligan called the series "A leap of faith or stupidity into the unknown. I thought it was gonna be kind of easy going forward, knowing who this guy is. But we don't really know who this guy is at all."

Additionally, directors for the first 10-episode season thus far include Gilligan himself, Terry McDonough, who directed Saul's introductory 'Breaking Bad' episode, as well as returning Michelle MacLaren, Colin Bucksey, Adam Bernstein.and other prior series directors.

We're admittedly curious to see if 'Better Call Saul' can live up to 'Breaking Bad' in telling the story of Saul, er, Jimmy McGill, but what do you think? Do any of Gilligan or Gould's revelations about the series inspire you toward 'Better Call Saul''s 2015 premiere? Check out some new photos below, and tell us what you think in the comments!

AMC Better Call Saul Spinoff Photo Bob Odenkirk
AMC
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AMC Better Call Saul Spinoff Photo Bob Odenkirk Michael McKean
AMC
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