Bob Odenkirk Will Follow Better Call Saul With AMC Dramedy Series Straight Man
Universal Pictures
By Jenna Busch/April 6, 2022 2:49 pm EST
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“Straight Man” is the story of a man named William Henry Devereaux Jr., played by Odenkirk, who is having a midlife crisis. Devereaux is the chairman of the English department at Railton College, a school with little money in the Pennsylvania rust belt. The novel’s story is told in the first person, which would lead one to believe — though this is totally a guess on my part — that there might be voiceovers. If anyone can handle that, it’s Odenkirk, who will be on his third series for AMC after “Better Call Saul” and “Breaking Bad.”
‘Something lighter than my recent projects’
Sony Pictures Television
“I loved Paul and Aaron’s take on Richard’s excellent, entertaining novel. Once again a project with AMC with a focus on character depth and sensitivity. This milieu (academia) seems very pertinent to the conversations we’re all having. I am drawn to the tone of humanity and humor in the novel and I look forward to playing this role – something lighter than my recent projects but still closely observed and smart.”
The novel is being adapted for TV by Aaron Zelman and Paul Lieberstein, who are serving as co-showrunners. AMC is developing the show with partners Sony Pictures Television, TriStar TV, and Gran Via. Executive producing are Zelman, Lieberstein, Odenkirk, Farrelly, Russo, Naomi Odenkirk, and Marc Provissiero. AMC Networks has a lot coming up in 2023 including a new “Orphan Black” series called “Orphan Black: Echoes,” “The Driver” with Giancarlo Esposito, and two “Walking Dead” spinoffs.
