'Better Call Saul' Already Renewed For Season Two

US cable network AMC has revealed the first look at Breaking Bad prequel spin-off Better Call Saul, and has announced that it has already renewed the eagerly awaited series for a second season – before its first has even finished filming, much less gone to air.

The network says that it has commissioned a 13-episode second season to complement the impending 10 episodes that will make up the first, bringing the series order to 23 episodes before a second of footage has aired – an unprecedented statement of faith and belief in a show from its network.

“Production on Better Call Saul is under way, and we could not be more proud of, nor more excited about, the work to date,” AMC president Charlie Collier said in a statement. “We join the fans in eager anticipation for this series, and today we happily confirm that our initial Saul order is for two seasons and a total of 23 episodes.

“When introducing any series, especially one with the DNA of Breaking Bad, there are countless factors to consider in making sure the show gets the launch it deserves. We have a strong history with Vince, Peter, Bob, the studio, and so many involved with this production; we are enjoying the process on Saul and all share a focus on making it a true television event. No half-measures.”

Additionally, AMC said that they were now looking at pushing back Better Call Saul's premier to early 2015 – a delay of a few months – with an eye to its first two seasons screening with at least some overlap with the channel's wildly popular zombie series The Walking Dead and follow-up recap show The Talking Dead.

The series, which started production in Albuquerque, New Mexico, earlier this month, is the brainchild of Breaking Bad creator and showrunner Vince Gilligan, who will direct the premiere and act as co-executive producer alongside former BrBa staffer and Saul Goodman's creator, Peter Gould.

Gilligan and Gould's creative team will be drawn largely from Breaking Bad writers – including Thomas Schnauz and Gennifer Hutchison, and former BrBa writers' assistant Bradley Paul – who are returning to ensure Saul maintains the tone and quality we came to expect from its modern classic of a predecessor.

The bar is set incredibly high, but AMC is taking all the right steps to ensure that Better Call Saul clears it with ease when it makes its debut next year.