With the sixth and final season of Better Call Saul underway, AMC has announced that it will be reuniting with leading man Bob Odenkirk for Straight Man, a series adaptation of the novel by Richard Russo.
Straight Man will see the actor playing William Henry Devereaux, Jr., “the unlikely chairman of the English department in a badly underfunded college in the Pennsylvania rust belt.” Peter Farrelly (Green Book) is on board to direct while Aaron Zelman and Paul Lieberstein serve as showrunners.
“I have loved the mix of comedy and drama in Better Call Saul, and this is another story with a unique dynamic, and the kind of closely observed character writing and exploration that AMC has become the touchstone for,” said Odenkirk. “It’s going to be fun to play and watch.”
“We’re so excited to work with Bob.” added Zelman and Lieberstein We don’t know another actor who can give you three different emotions on his face at the same time, in a reaction shot. … And it’s a dream to be working with Mark Johnson, who literally has Jedi powers to make everyone think they came up with his idea. Oh, and did we mention the legendary Peter Farrelly?”
Straight Man marks Odenkirk’s third show with AMC after Breaking Bad and its spinoff Better Call Saul, both of which have been showered with acclaim. The latter is currently airing its final season on AMC, and will feature the return of Odenkirk’s Breaking Bad co-stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul as Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.
