Three is the magic number.
That’s how many Critics’ Choice Awards “Better Call Saul” took home on Sunday.
Filmed in New Mexico, the series entered the show with four nominations — one for Bob Odenkirk, one for Giancarlo Esposito, one for Best Drama, and one for Rhea Seehorn.
After six seasons, AMC’s Better Call Saul finally took home the Best Drama award.
The win shocked co-creator Peter Gould.
“I can’t believe we won,” he said during his acceptance speech. “We never win. … Thank you critic. You’ve indulged in this very unlikely fork and lightning has struck twice because of you and our brilliant, brilliant audience.”
The last season consisted of 13 episodes, which were rolled out in two parts.
The Breaking Bad prequel completed the complicated journey and transformation of its compromised hero, Jimmy McGill, played by Odenkirk, into criminal attorney Saul Goodman.
From the cartel to the courthouse, from Albuquerque to Omaha, the final season followed Jimmy, Saul and Gene, and Jimmy’s complex relationship with Kim, played by Seehorn, who is in the midst of her own existential crisis.
Meanwhile, Mike, played by Jonathan Banks, Gus, played by Giancarlo Esposito, Nacho, played by Michael Mando, and Lalo, played by Tony Dalton, are engaged in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
During filming of the final season, Odenkirk suffered a heart attack and spent some time off set before ending the series.
When he won his award for Best Actor in a Drama Series, he was overwhelmed with joy as he credited his cast with much of the honor.
“When you see me acting, OK, you don’t see talent, you only see elbow grease. That’s all you’re watching is sweat and elbow grease. Standing around is talent and it makes you look good,” Odenkirk said. “… Rhea Seehorn, it’s ridiculous that this award isn’t with you. …You did it and you were amazing.”
Meanwhile, Esposito received the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Gus Fring in Better Call Saul.
Esposito received the same award in 2012 for portraying the same character in Breaking Bad.
Bob Odenkirk accepts the award for Best Actor in a Drama Series for “Better Call Saul” at the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel on Sunday, January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Bob Odenkirk kisses the award for Best Actor in a Drama Series for “Better Call Saul” while posing in the press room at the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel on Sunday, January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Giancarlo Esposito accepts the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for “Better Call Saul” at the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel on Sunday, January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Peter Gould poses with the award for Best Drama Series for “Better Call Saul” in the press room at the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel on Sunday, January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
