Howard Hamlin is a fictional character in the television series Better Call Saul , a prequel to Breaking Bad. He is portrayed by Patrick Fabian and is one of the three named partners at the law firm Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill (HHM)

. Howard initially appears as an antagonist and foil to Jimmy McGill (later Saul Goodman), often showing hostility towards him. However, it is later revealed that much of Howard's behavior was influenced by pressure from Chuck McGill, Jimmy's brother and Howard's business partner. Over time, Howard tries to make amends for his past actions towards Jimmy

. In the series, Howard is depicted as somewhat arrogant and self-centered but also as a character who is fundamentally decent and caught in difficult circumstances. Patrick Fabian, the actor, has described Howard as a "Kennedy- esque lawyer who's winning at life" and has suggested that Howard is not truly a villain

. Howard's story arc ends tragically in season six when he is murdered by Lalo Salamanca. This event was intended by the writers to have a strong emotional impact on Jimmy and Kim, underscoring the dangers surrounding them

. Howard's character is regarded by many critics as one of the most tragic in Better Call Saul , with his downfall and death marking a significant turning point in the series

. In summary, Howard Hamlin is a complex character who starts as an antagonist but is gradually revealed to be more nuanced, ultimately becoming a tragic figure in the Better Call Saul narrative