Better Call Saul Co-Creator Confirms Gus Fring's Sexuality

Fans of Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad have speculated for years about the sexuality of meth kingpin and Los Pollos Hermanos businessman Gus Fring, played by Giancarlo Esposito. As Saul approaches its finale, co-creator Peter Gould has finally confirmed Gus' sexuality and revealed how a romantic relationship helped form his identity.

Speaking on The Ringer podcast "The Watch", Gould detailed the backstory behind Gus' undeniably flirty encounter with a waiter in Season 6, Episode 9 of Better Call Saul, "Fun and Games."

"Gus is holding onto his rage, his desire for revenge, and maybe he's holding onto this romance that he had, with his boyfriend Max," Gould said.

The boyfriend Gould is referring to is Max Arciniega (James Martinez), who Breaking Bad fans will remember as Gus' friend and business partner. Season 4, Episode 8, "Hermanos," includes a flashback of Hector Salamanca (Mark Margolis) murdering Max in cold blood.

"We know that Gus had some kind of... we've never been very specific, he had some kind of violent past before that, but [Max's murder] seems to be the turning point for Gus Fring," Gould continued, adding that from that moment on, Gus chose to "hollow himself out," ensuring that "he can't really be himself with another person."

Since that 2011 episode of Breaking Bad, fans have long assumed that Gus and Max were romantically involved, regardless of the fact that Gus only ever referred to Max as his "partner." Now, Gould has officially confirmed the fan theory that Gus' mission to destroy the Salamancas is rooted in revenge for the murder of his boyfriend.

Better Call Saul is currently airing its final season. New episodes air Mondays at 9:00 PM ET on AMC.

Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad are available to stream on Netflix.

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Kirstie Renae is a writer, blogger, and Austin-based actress with a penchant for binge-watching TV with her dogs. Follow her on Twitter @KirstieRenae.