Catlin is positioning this as a creative evolution — after spending over a decade in the morally gray waters of antihero storytelling, he's ready to swim toward something cleaner, more hopeful. The spin emphasizes artistic growth and a fresh perspective on Los Angeles that hasn't been seen before.
Insiders suggest Catlin's move toward heroism isn't just creative — it's calculated. Sources say the industry is saturated with morally compromised protagonists, and whoever nails the 'redeemable hero' formula first wins the next era of prestige TV. Sugar's season 2 could be that blueprint.
Sam Catlin was a showrunner on Breaking Bad for multiple seasons before becoming showrunner on its spinoff Better Call Saul. He is now the creator and showrunner of Sugar (Apple TV+). The Hollywood Reporter interview was published July 13, 2026.
Catlin's pivot from antiheroes to genuine heroism isn't just a creative choice — it's a calculated bet on what audiences are hungry for next. Whether Sugar season 2 delivers that formula could reshape prestige television for the next decade.
Sam Catlin built his reputation making television's most iconic antihero, Walter White, a household name. Now the man who turned meth-cooking into high art is attempting something almost radical in today's prestige landscape: crafting a character audiences can actually root for. In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter published July 13, 2026, Catlin opened up about his approach to Sugar's second season and why he's finding it "refreshing" to write what he calls a genuine hero after spending more than a decade immersed in morally compromised protagonists.
The showrunner, who served as a writer and producer on Breaking Bad before taking the reins on Better Call Saul, is now bringing elements of that dark, complex universe to Los Angeles — but with a decidedly different tone. The shift represents something of a pendulum swing for Catlin personally. When asked about the creative differences between his previous work and what he's building in Sugar season 2, he emphasized an "honest portrayal of L.A." as a key component — suggesting viewers can expect sun-drenched landscapes that subvert expectations rather than conform to them.
This isn't the first time Catlin has worked within established universes; Better Call Saul proved he could expand on source material while carving out distinct creative territory. The timing of this artistic pivot couldn't be more calculated. Prestige television has been swimming in antihero content for over fifteen years, from Walter White to Don Draper to countless imitators.
Industry watchers have long predicted the inevitable swing back toward protagonists with actual moral compasses — and Catlin appears to be positioning himself at the forefront of that movement. What makes Sugar season 2 particularly intriguing is the geographical shift. Breaking Bad was quintessentially New Mexico — harsh desert landscapes, industrial settings, a particular kind of American desperation.
Bringing that sensibility to Los Angeles means reimagining those themes through a completely different lens: Hollywood excess, celebrity culture, and the particular illusions that Tinseltown sells so well. Catlin's promise of an "honest portrayal" suggests he intends to strip away the glamour and expose what's underneath.
