US drama series Better Call Saul has set a new record at the Emmys this year – but one it won’t want – the most nominations without securing a win.
Better Call Saul, the prequel to Breaking Bad, has now been nominated 53 times for an Emmy award in a wide range of categories throughout its six-season run but has been beaten to the trophy on every occasion.
At the 2024 ceremony, held earlier this week, the show was nominated for seven awards including Outstanding Drama Series, Lead Actor for Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman, Supporting Actress for Rhea Seehorn as Kim Wexler, as well as Picture Editing, Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series, Sound Mixing and two nominations in the Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series category for the “Point and Shoot” episode and series finale, “Saul Gone”.
Despite being a critical success – as well as a massive hit with viewers – for some reason the judges at the Emmys have never been convinced. For comparison, Breaking Bad was nominated 58 times for an Emmy and came out victorious on 16 occasions, including scooping the prestigious Outstanding Drama Series award and Bryan Cranston, who played lead character Walter White, took home the Lead Actor award four times.
Better Call Saul debuted after Breaking Bad ended and the show, created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, focused on former con man Jimmy McGill and how he progressed from being a fledgling lawyer to the dodgy but endearing lawyer and fixer Saul Goodman.
The Emmys have previously not recognised big stars and programmes. For instance, Angela Lansbury – possibly best known as the star of Murder, She Wrote – was nominated individually 18 times but snubbed on every occasion. Meanwhile, classic shows such as The Wire, Parks and Recreation and Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia have never won any Emmys – the latter never even being nominated.
