Actor Jonathan Banks has reprised his iconic role of Mike Ehrmantraut from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul in a new video released on July 4, 2026.
The video was published on the Saul4Democracy YouTube channel to mark the United States' 250th anniversary.
The web series, created by Better Call Saul co-creator Peter Gould and featuring Bob Odenkirk, shifted focus from standard political announcements to a serious message about moral clarity.
Banks' character delivers a monologue recounting a childhood memory from the 1954 Army-McCarthy hearings.
In the video, Banks stands against a dark background.
He recalls watching the hearings on television as a child, describing how Senator Joe McCarthy used bullying and lies to destroy reputations under the guise of rooting out communism.
"June 9th, 1954. How many of you remember that day?
Yeah. Right.
Well, I do," Banks says in character.
The story concludes with attorney Joseph Welch challenging McCarthy's decency, prompting a profound lesson from the character's father about national division and personal values.
"About damn time," Banks states, quoting his father's words.
The monologue serves as a prominent moment for the character, who previously only appeared briefly at the end of Odenkirk's legal rights clips.
According to reports, these promotional videos mark the first time both actors have portrayed their respective characters since the AMC spinoff series concluded in 2022.
Vince Gilligan's New Project and Rhea Seehorn's Emmy Nomination
Meanwhile, franchise creator Vince Gilligan has moved on to his new Apple TV series titled Pluribus.
The show recently secured 18 Emmy nominations for its first season, including a lead actress nod for former Better Call Saul star Rhea Seehorn.
"I'm just so grateful," Seehorn said. She portrays a fantasy romance author navigating a global dystopian crisis in the surreal sci-fi series.
Seehorn noted that working with Gilligan again brought back a familiar supportive atmosphere from her previous ensemble cast.
"'Better Call Saul' was such a family that supported and cheered each other on, and I'm so grateful I have that environment again," she remarked.
The production marked a significant shift for her career as she stepped into a primary protagonist role.
"The only part that feels different is that it's my first nomination as a lead," Seehorn stated.
She emphasized the authenticity of the storytelling, balancing severe circumstances with grounded comedic elements.
Production details for the second season remain unannounced.
"I don't know anything about that," Seehorn commented, adding that the writing staff aims to maintain structural quality rather than rushing subsequent plotlines.
Hypothetical Outcomes for Breaking Bad Characters
In past interviews, Gilligan shared his theory that Jimmy McGill eventually received a presidential pardon. "I think [Donald] Trump pardoned him.
That's what I think. I think he's out," Gilligan said.
He envisioned a post-prison lifestyle involving alternative broadcast media ventures for the former lawyer.
Peter Gould also revealed alternative structural plans for the Better Call Saul series finale.
Early drafts featured a solitary prison scene rather than a joint sequence between the main leads.
"I liked that a lot, but it seemed a little cold," Gould explained. The final broadcast cut included a specific concluding gesture that faced internal creative debate.
"There was a version that didn't have that, that ended with the two of them smoking," Gould said.
The production team ultimately selected a visual separation to conclude the series honestly.
