Top 10 Better Call Saul Characters
#10: Hector Salamanca
The aging head of the Salamanca family, Hector is an old-school cartel gangster. Although adept with violence and intimidation, Hector is ultimately a petty and small man, unable to keep up with the subtle and intelligent foes he creates for himself. Through his actions before and during “Better Call Saul”, Hector manages to anger Gus, Mike, and Nacho, who hurt or take over his business. It all ultimately causes him to have a stroke. As bitter and twisted as an old desert tree, and just as tough to kill, Hector Salamanca is a villain you love to hate.
#9: Stacey Ehrmantraut
Mike Ehrmantraut’s daughter-in-law, Stacey is one of the rare characters not directly involved in the criminal or legal worlds of the show. Grieving her late husband Matt, who was murdered by crooked cops, she struggles with the reality of Mike’s less than legal activities. She worries over the safety of her daughter, and even grows paranoid as a result. However, group therapy offers her some closure, even if it’s not as simple for her father-in-law. While her role in the story’s events isn’t large, Stacey notably helps shed light on Mike’s character. What’s more, she provides unique insight into what it’s like having loved ones involved in the criminal lifestyle.
#8: Ignacio “Nacho” Varga
Nacho Varga is an ambitious lieutenant in the Salamanca crime organization. Savvy and street smart, he’s eager to buck his Salamanca bosses, particularly after his father is threatened. Unfortunately, his stint tampering with Hector’s pills leads him to fall under the thumb of Gustavo Fring. Essentially forced to become a double agent, Nacho must walk a fine line to avoid further problems. His storyline is among the most intense in the show, with the stress of his situation being enough to get our hearts racing. But thanks to his understated yet entertaining presence, it’s also one of the best parts of “Better Call Saul.”
#7: Howard Hamlin
The Big Bang Theory's Howard Impressions vs the Actual Person
One of the name partners of Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill, Howard initially seems like your consummate smug suit lawyer. And while he is indeed in a suit, he’s not as bad a guy as he first appears. Unlike his fellow partner Chuck McGill, he admires Jimmy’s determination and initiative, even if the caustic attitude and criminal actions eventually sour him on our protagonist. Howard reacts in a relatable way to tragedy and stress, and we eventually realize that he may be the most moral person left on the show.
#6: Gustavo Fring
Gus Fring established himself as one of the greatest villains in TV history on “Breaking Bad,” and “Better Call Saul” only cements that legacy. Throughout the show, he runs his criminal empire with delicate grace. Namely, he forms a partnership with Mike to take down Hector, and strong-arms Nacho into being his spy against the cartel. And those are just some of his endeavors. While Gus threatening Walter White was incredibly scary, “Better Call Saul” proves that it was far from being his most intimidating form, which is saying something. It turns out this unassuming drug lord could be far more terrifying than many thought possible.
#5: Lalo Salamanca
Another Salamanca, Lalo is arguably the scariest of them all. Not only is he strangely charismatic, but he’s also unpredictable, deadly, and incredibly ruthless. Plus, his intelligence is something to behold. Determined to get to the bottom of his suspicions, Lalo continues the work of trying to undermine and dismantle Gus’ operations. Unfortunately for him, he puts a little too much trust in Nacho, which nearly gets him killed. While a certain other show has us thinking Lalo won’t succeed in all his goals, we’re worried about what kind of damage he’ll cause beforehand.
#4: Chuck McGill
Top 10 Unforgettable Chuck and Blair Moments
Jimmy’s older brother Chuck is a far more strait-laced lawyer than his sibling. He also suffers from a condition that makes him believe he’s sensitive to electromagnetic fields. We first view Chuck with compassion, but then realize how much resentment he has for Jimmy. The character elicits a lot of different reactions, because on the one hand, he’s right about how underhanded his brother can be. But on the other hand, we can’t help but wonder if things would be different if he hadn’t sabotaged Jimmy at every turn. Chuck’s tragic fate, brought on by his condition and hatred of Jimmy, is spectacularly executed on all fronts. He may be dead, but his influence over the show looms large.
#3: Kim Wexler
Top 10 Dumbest Mistakes on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul
What would a prequel be without some fascinating new characters? “Better Call Saul” delivers on that front, with Kim Wexler being the best addition. In addition to being an incredible lawyer, she has nerves of steel and stands up to powerful figures around her – even Lalo Salamanca! Her journey also interestingly parallels that of her husband Jimmy. As he slips back into old habits, she sees the allure of working outside the law and gradually joins him on his path. Given that we don’t see her in “Breaking Bad,” any danger she’s in has our hearts resting somewhere in our throats. Hopefully “Slippin’ Kimmy” doesn’t bite off more than she can chew.
#2: Mike Ehrmantraut
Who says there’s no honor among thieves? Mike may be a criminal, but he’s not entirely a bad guy. The man has principles, and he sticks to them… most of the time. Though he’s an established criminal, he takes important steps in order to provide for his family and keep them safe. Careful and methodical in everything he does, we could watch Mike perform menial tasks all day. He’s so effortlessly cool and his still waters run so deep that he could have a show devoted to him alone. Needless to say, we’re glad that he gets so many chances to shine in “Better Call Saul.” Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
Werner Ziegler
This Kind-Hearted German Engineer’s Final Fate Breaks Our Hearts
Daniel Wormald/Pryce
A Master Criminal He Is Not
Leonel & Marco Salamanca
The Twins Are the Grim Reapers of the Drug Trade
Ernesto
The Poor Guy Is Caught in the Middle of the McGill Brothers’ Drama
Kevin Wachtell
Top 10 Kevin Conroy Batman Moments
This Southern Gentleman Is as Intimidating as He Is Fair
#1: Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman/Gene Takavic
Top 10 Times Jimmy Fallon Broke Character on SNL
Saul may be the name of the series, but Jimmy McGill is the man behind the name. Through this show, we get to know how Jimmy becomes Saul. We witness his earnest attempts at being an upstanding lawyer, and see how his efforts to play by the rules are either unsuccessful or sabotaged. Throughout the show, Jimmy’s scams and trickery remain as entertaining as he is. But we also get to see the many other layers of the character, with the show exploring his intelligence and his romantic side, among other things. It’s safe to say that his journey has been quite a memorable one.
