Vince Gilligan, the creator behind Breaking Bad, and actress Rhea Seehorn have opened up about their new Apple TV+ series Pluribus in a wide-ranging interview. During the conversation, Gilligan offered a surprisingly candid critique of the tech industry, saying he believes Silicon Valley has “fed up the world.” He and Seehorn, who stars in the series, also spoke about their shared desire to move away from stories centered on anti-heroes and instead tell ones that celebrate genuine heroism.
Key Takeaways
- Vince Gilligan and Rhea Seehorn have reunited for a new science-fiction series on Apple TV+ titled Pluribus.
- The show stars Seehorn as Carol Sturka, a romance author who is one of the few people immune to an alien virus that makes all of humanity blissfully happy and content.
- Gilligan strongly criticized Silicon Valley, suggesting its real-world impact is negative, a theme reflected in his new show.
- Both Gilligan and Seehorn emphasized that Hollywood needs to create more genuine heroes, marking a shift from the anti-hero focus of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
The show, which premiered on November 7, 2025, is a sci-fi drama set in Albuquerque but is not connected to the Breaking Bad universe.
What is Pluribus
Pluribus marks Vince Gilligan’s first project since Better Call Saul wrapped up. The series, which Apple TV+ has already ordered for two seasons, stars Rhea Seehorn (known for her role as Kim Wexler) in the lead.
This time, Gilligan takes a big creative leap. Seehorn plays Carol Sturka, a romance novelist whose somewhat of a recluse. One day, an extraterrestrial virus or signal sweeps across the planet, transforming humanity into a peaceful, content, and united hive mind. Carol, for reasons even she doesn’t understand, is immune to the change. That immunity turns her into what she calls “the most miserable person on Earth,” in a world where no one else feels misery at all.
The title Pluribus comes from the Latin phrase E pluribus unum meaning “Out of many, one,” which neatly ties into the show’s core conflict between individualism and collective unity. It’s a question the series keeps circling back to, is this enforced happiness a blessing or something quietly horrifying? Does it strip away the very essence of what makes us human?
The Critique of Silicon Valley
Gilligan didn’t mince words when talking about technology’s influence on society. He said outright that Silicon Valley has “f—ed up the world.” Though his show is set in a sci-fi world, the commentary clearly reaches into our real one.
He reflected that while many tech creators probably started out with good intentions, their innovations have often fueled problems like social disconnection, loneliness, and misinformation. There’s a subtle irony there, technology designed to bring people together may have done the opposite. Pluribus, in that sense, becomes a kind of modern parable, warning of the seductive dangers of a “perfect,” conflict-free world.
A Call for More Heroes
After years of exploring morally gray characters like Walter White and Saul Goodman, Gilligan admitted he’s simply tired of writing bad guys. He said Hollywood, and perhaps viewers too, could use a few more heroes these days.
Gilligan explained that villains like Walter White were always meant as cautionary tales, not as role models. But somewhere along the way, some fans started to see them as aspirational. That shift, he said, made him rethink what kinds of stories he wants to tell next.
In Pluribus, Seehorn’s Carol is described as a reluctant hero, someone deeply flawed, even unhappy, yet still trying to do what’s right. She’s not perfect, far from it, but she’s good in the ways that count. And maybe, in a strange way, that’s exactly the kind of hero Gilligan thinks the world needs right now.
Related FAQs
Q. What is Vince Gilligan’s new show ‘Pluribus’ about?
A. ‘Pluribus’ is a sci-fi series where an alien virus makes almost everyone on Earth perpetually happy and agreeable. The story follows Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), one of the few people who remains immune and miserable.
Q. Is ‘Pluribus’ a ‘Breaking Bad’ spinoff?
A. No. Although it is created by Vince Gilligan, stars Rhea Seehorn, and is set in Albuquerque, ‘Pluribus’ is a completely original story in a new universe.
Q. Is Rhea Seehorn playing Kim Wexler in the new show?
A. No, she is playing a brand-new character named Carol Sturka, a romance author.
Q. Why did Vince Gilligan say Hollywood “needs more heroes”?
A. He expressed that he was tired of writing anti-heroes and felt that characters like Walter White were becoming “aspirational” rather than cautionary. He believes the world needs more inspiring, genuinely good characters in fiction.
Q. Where can I watch ‘Pluribus’?
A. ‘Pluribus’ premiered on November 7, 2025, and is available to stream exclusively on Apple TV+.
