Better Call Saul actor Bob Odenkirk to play journalist David Carr in memoir adaptation The Night of the Gun

The late New York Times writer's memoir details his intense battle with cocaine addiction

(Getty Images for AMC)

Bob Odenkirk is sticking with US network AMC for his next project which will be an adaptation of David Carr's memoir The Night of the Gun.

Farr was considered one of the most prolific journalists, writing for The New York Times from 2002 right up until his untimely death aged 58 in 2015.

Odenkirk currently plays Jimmy McGill - the character who goes on to become Breaking Bad's Saul Goodman - in acclaimed prequel series Better Call Saul. He will lead the new six-episode miniseries which is being written by The Shield creator Shawn Ryan.

The Night of the Gun is an intense memoir that hones in on Carr's personal battle with cocaine addiction. The unflinching account became a New York Times bestseller in 2008.

Speaking about his appointment as lead, Odenkirk said: "I read David's story, The Night of the Gun, when it came out and was wildly entertained by his saga.

"It's a story of survival filled with pain, crack, journalistic righteousness, abandoned cars, crooks, lies, and then there's the two little girls who saved his life. Shawn Ryan is the man to explore this real anti-hero story. I hope to do justice to David's intellect and his scrappy nature. It's gonna be crazy... if we do it right."

This marks a continued departure for Odenkirk who started out in comedy writing for shows including Saturday Night Live.

We have no doubt that, as Carr, the actor will continue the impressive work he's been showcasing in the past two seasons of Better Call Saul.