The hottest showrunner at the moment is a free agent no more. Breaking Bad creator/executive producer Vince Gilligan has signed a rich new overall deal with Sony Pictures TV, the studio behind his acclaimed AMC drama. There had been strong interest among all studios in signing Gilligan, whose Sony TV overall deal had expired. I hear it came down to Sony and Warner Bros TV, with Gilligan ultimately opting to stay at his home for the past six years. “Vince is an incredible writer and partner, and he shares our vision for the business and for the kinds of projects we’re passionate about,” said SPT president of programming and production Jamie Erlicht. “There wasn’t a world where we weren’t making this deal.”

Gilligan already has two new series with Sony TV, Battle Creek at CBS and the Breaking Bad spinoff Better Call Saul at AMC. Those projects will remain outside the eight-figure new Sony overall deal, which is strictly for television. It will cover all future TV development by The X Files alum Gilligan, who is expected to focus his attention to cable where had his biggest success with Breaking Bad. The dark AMC drama became that rare underrated cable show, which grew into a monster critical and commercial hit and a pop culture phenomenon. The first part of its final season won the best drama series Emmy this year, and its series finale shattered ratings records with more than 10 million tuning in to see it live. “With Vince, you forget you’re working and just become a fan,” said SPT president of programming and production Zack VanAmburg. “His stories are captivating, his energy is electric, and his friendship is appreciated.” Gilligan is with ICM Partners.