Vince Gilligan & Rhea Seehorn's Pluribus: Your Guide to the Sci-Fi Thriller
Get ready for what might be 2025's most anticipated new show. Vince Gilligan, the creative genius behind Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, is returning to television with a completely new science fiction drama called Pluribus. The series reunites him with Better Call Saul's Emmy-nominated star, Rhea Seehorn, in a story that promises to be as thought-provoking as it is unsettling.
Here’s everything you need to know about this major new series coming to Apple TV+.
What Is Pluribus About? 🤔
The show is built on a fascinating and creepy premise. It centers on
"the most miserable person on Earth [who] must save the world from happiness."
This central conflict is reflected in the show's cryptic tagline: "Happiness is Contagious." The story frames this emotion not as a joy, but as a pathogen—a kind of virus that erases individuality by making everyone the same. A deeply unsettling teaser trailer visualizes this threat: a woman in hospital scrubs methodically licks the bottom of donuts before placing them back in a box labeled "Help yourself! ;)."
The story kicks off when the world we know "changes very abruptly in the first episode." The rest of the series explores the dramatic consequences of this world-altering event.
Essentially, Pluribus is a cautionary tale about toxic positivity, free will, and the importance of our full emotional spectrum—the good and the bad.
Who's Making Pluribus? 🎬
The talent involved is a major reason for the hype.
- Creator/Showrunner: Vince Gilligan is the head of the project, writing and directing the first two episodes to set the tone.
- Lead Star: Rhea Seehorn stars as Carol, the "miserable" protagonist. The role was written specifically for her. Despite being miserable, her character is a "damaged hero" who is "trying very hard to be good."
- Main Cast: Joining Seehorn are Karolina Wydra (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as Yara and Carlos-Manuel Vesga (The Hijacking of Flight 601) as Manusos.
- The Creative Team: Gilligan has reassembled his trusted team from the Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul universe, including executive producers and writers Gordon Smith, Alison Tatlock, and Diane Mercer. The show is produced by Sony Pictures Television, the long-time studio partner for Gilligan's work.
When and Where Can I Watch Pluribus? 📺
Pluribus will premiere exclusively on Apple TV+ on Friday, November 7, 2025.
The first two episodes will drop on launch day, with the remaining seven episodes of the first season releasing weekly every Friday until the finale on December 26, 2025.
Genre, Themes, and What to Expect
The series is "mild science fiction," meaning it's more about characters and ideas than heavy-handed tech or aliens. It explores the "human condition in an unexpected, surprising way." Its style is reminiscent of classic shows like The Twilight Zone and The X-Files, where Gilligan was a key writer early in his career.
The title itself is a major clue. "Pluribus" is Latin for "of many," famously part of the U.S. motto "E Pluribus Unum" ("Out of many, one"). The show's title is sometimes stylized as "Plur1bus," visually suggesting that the "many" are being forcibly reduced to "one" by the happiness contagion.
Expect a show that is philosophically deep, thematically dark, and—in classic Gilligan style—able to find humor in the most unsettling moments.
A New Universe for Vince Gilligan
After more than a decade focused on crime and moral decay, Pluribus marks a significant artistic pivot for Gilligan. This show is a clean break from the Breaking Bad universe, which is now complete. It is a wholly original story with no crime and no meth.
More importantly, it's a thematic shift. After creating one of television's greatest anti-heroes in Walter White, Gilligan's focus has shifted to creating more inspiring figures. By focusing on a female "damaged hero" who is trying to do good, Pluribus explores a struggle toward morality rather than a descent away from it.
The Story Behind the Screen
The buzz around Pluribus was so intense that it sparked a bidding war between at least eight networks. Apple TV+ won by offering a rare two-season, straight-to-series order with a budget of over $15 million per episode.
This two-season guarantee is crucial, as it gives the creative team the freedom and runway to tell their complex, long-form story without pressure.
Filming took place primarily in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Gilligan's long-time production home. However, filming also occurred in Spain's Canary Islands and Basque Country. These international locations will likely portray the new, altered reality that emerges after the "abrupt change" in the first episode.
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