Bob Odenkirk (Nobody, Incredibles 2) is preparing for his next series at AMC. After his stint in the Breaking Bad prequel, Better Call Saul, Odenkirk will star in Lucky Hank, formerly titled Straight Man, according to TV Line. Along with the new title, slew of first-look photos were also released.
TV Line reports the series is based on the novel by Richard Russo (Empire Falls, Nobody’s Fool) and follows a college English professor experiencing a “mid-life crisis tale.” Odenkirk will star as William Henry “Hank” Deveraux Jr., the head of the English department at a fictitious college in Philadelphia. Along with Odenkirk is AMC’s The Killing alum, Mirelle Enos (Hanna, The Lie), who has been cast as his wife, a high school vice principal. From the photos, it looks like the two will have a teenage daughter.
Odenkirk returns to AMC for a third run after appearing in the critically-acclaimed Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. As crooked attorney Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman, Odenkirk recently finished the sixth and final season of the prequel series. Split into two parts, the show keeps Odenkirk eligible for Emmy nominations this year, according to TV Line.
2023 is rather lucky to have Odenkirk in another series. Two years ago the actor suffered heart attack on the set of Better Call Saul this last season. As the news broke of his condition, the industry and fans alike showed a wealth of appreciation for Odenkirk across social media. Upon his eventual return, Odenkirk thanked those who wished him well tweeting a behind-the-scenes photo of himself getting prepped to return to set.
The series, which is set for a spring premiere, is being adapted by Aaron Zelman (Resurrection, Damages) and Paul Liberstein (The Ofice, The Newsroom) who will also serve as co-showrunners, via TV Line.
Both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul are available to stream on AMC+.