Rhea Seehorn Stars in Vince Gilligan’s New Sci-Fi Thriller “Pluribus” on Apple TV+

Rhea Seehorn leads a new Apple TV+ series from “Breaking Bad” creator Vince Gilligan. The show, titled “Pluribus,” premiered its first two episodes on Friday. It marks Gilligan’s first major project since “Better Call Saul” concluded in 2022.

Seehorn plays Carol Sturka, a misanthropic romance novelist. Her world collapses during an apocalyptic global event. This incident transforms humanity into a single hive mind.

A Reluctant Hero in a Transformed World

Carol Sturka is immune to the phenomenon called “the Joining.” This event connects the global population psychically. People can now access each other’s thoughts and memories instantly.

Carol becomes one of the few “old-schoolers” left unaffected. She embarks on a mission to understand what happened. Her journey forms the core of the series’ suspense.

The marketing describes Carol as the “most miserable person on Earth.” This refers to her state after the world changes. Everyone else exists in a state of unified happiness.

Breaking the “Likable Character” Mold

Seehorn and Gilligan stress this isn’t a commentary on past character reception. According to Seehorn, Gilligan writes complex human beings, not agendas. The character’s gender is secondary to her humanity.

Seehorn learned on “Better Call Saul” that authenticity trumps likability. She aims to make Carol an accessible, relatable figure. Her anger and grief stem from grounded, human places.

The scale of “Pluribus” is larger than Gilligan’s previous Albuquerque-based shows. It features global locations and cinematic disaster sequences. The pilot episode alone required extensive night shoots.

“Pluribus” represents a significant creative swing for one of television’s most celebrated creators. The series explores human nature through a sci-fi lens. New episodes debut weekly on Apple TV+.

Dropping this nugget your way

What is “Pluribus” about?

“Pluribus” is a sci-fi thriller about an apocalyptic event that joins humanity into a hive mind. Rhea Seehorn plays an author immune to this change. She investigates what happened while navigating the new world.

Is “Pluribus” connected to “Breaking Bad”?

No, “Pluribus” exists in a completely separate universe. Vince Gilligan has created an original story with new characters. There are no narrative connections to his previous shows.

How many episodes are in “Pluribus”?

Apple TV+ has ordered at least two seasons of the series. The first season’s episode count hasn’t been officially confirmed. New episodes release every Friday following the two-episode premiere.

Who else stars in the series?

The full cast beyond Rhea Seehorn hasn’t been widely promoted yet. The series features a small core cast of “old-schoolers.” Additional casting details are expected as more episodes release.

Where was “Pluribus” filmed?

The production filmed in various locations worldwide. This global scope differentiates it from Gilligan’s previous New Mexico-based shows. The diverse settings help establish the story’s worldwide implications.

Trusted Sources

Apple TV+, Sony Pictures Television, Industry Trade Reports