TCA 2014: Vince Gilligan goes from ‘Breaking Bad’ to ‘Battle Creek’

Vince Gilligan, creator of the groundbreaking drama “Breaking Bad,” is going back for his future in his next project.

The acclaimed writer/producer is behind the new CBS drama “Battle Creek,” a cop drama developed from a script Gilligan wrote about 12 years ago. CBS has ordered 13 episodes of the show, which will premiere later this season.

Nina Tassler, CEO of CBS Entertainment, said that the network bought the script 12 years ago, but then Gilligan got tied up with “Breaking Bad.” “We always liked the tone, we always liked the sensibility,” Tassler said. “We always tried to do, but Vince has been tied up.”

The show stars Dean Winters and Josh Duhamel as two law enforcement officers who have differing approaches to solving crime as they battle criminals in the mild-mannered town of Battle Creek, Mich. -- a town that Gilligan has never visited.

“It was the time honored tradition of ‘opposites attract,’ ” said Gilligan about what inspired him to write the script. He thought the location name was intriguing -- he noticed as a kid eating Kellogg’s cereal that the company was headquartered in Battle Creek.

Gilligan was not directly involved in the pilot, and will not be heavily involved with the series, which will be run by executive producer David Shore, the creator of “House.” He is developing a “Breaking Bad” spinoff: “Better Call Saul.”

“I’m sorry I’m not a bigger part of this,” he said.

Twitter: @GeBraxton