Key Highlights
- Vince Gilligan, the creator of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, has a new sci-fi show called Pluribus.
- The idea for Pluribus started almost 10 years ago during Gilligan’s lunch breaks from Better Call Saul.
- Gilligan decided to make it a female protagonist after realizing his admiration for Rhea Seehorn.
- Pluribus premieres on November 7, 2023, on Apple TV.
The Journey of Pluribus: A Decade in the Making
Vince Gilligan, the mastermind behind hit shows like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, has a new project that has been 10 years in development. The show, titled Pluribus, is set to premiere on November 7, 2023, exclusively on Apple TV.
Gilligan’s journey with the idea began almost a decade ago during his lunch breaks from working on Better Call Saul. “I started kicking this idea around,” Gilligan tells Polygon. The original concept revolved around a male protagonist who was suddenly loved by everyone for no apparent reason, making him an enigma in the story.
From Vague Idea to Sci-Fi Masterpiece
The initial idea of a male protagonist who was inexplicably loved by everyone didn’t fit into the real world, according to Gilligan. He realized that the concept could be better explored through science fiction. “I started off almost 10 years ago with this vague idea about a male protagonist who everybody suddenly, inexplicably was very, very nice to,” Gilligan explains. “I couldn’t figure out what would be the plot mechanism by which this would happen, but I kept messing around with it.” Eventually, he decided to make the protagonist female, writing the show for Rhea Seehorn.
According to Gilligan, Pluribus is about a mysterious woman who must save the world from happiness. “The most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness,” Gilligan says, explaining the logline of his new sci-fi show. The concept was so intriguing that it kept him engaged for years, allowing him to develop and refine the idea.
The Role of Rhea Seehorn
Rhea Seehorn’s role in the development of Pluribus cannot be overstated. Gilligan credits his admiration for her with transforming the initial idea into a compelling sci-fi narrative. “At about the same time, in the early seasons of Better Call Saul, I realized how much I love Rhea Seehorn,” Gilligan says. “So I decided: Let’s make it a female protagonist. I want to write this thing for Rhea.
She deserves to be the star of her own show.”
Seehorn plays Kim Wexler, an ambitious and independent lawyer on Better Call Saul, opposite Bob Odenkirk’s character Jimmy McGill. Gilligan’s decision to cast Seehorn in Pluribus underscores his belief in her capabilities as a leading actress. “Kim Wexler is the kind of character that could carry this story,” says Gilligan.
The Future of Pluribus
With its intriguing concept and star-studded cast, Pluribus is set to be a significant addition to Apple TV’s lineup. The show’s premiere date on November 7, 2023, marks the culmination of Gilligan’s decade-long journey with the idea. As fans eagerly await its release, Pluribus promises to deliver a unique and thought-provoking sci-fi narrative that explores themes of human connection and the consequences of unconditional love.
Gilligan’s work on Pluribus serves as an inspiration for creators everywhere, demonstrating that sometimes, the best ideas take time to develop. “I kind of backed into the science fiction of it,” Gilligan says. “I wasn’t setting out to make a sci-fi show.” The success of shows like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul has given him the space and freedom to explore his unique ideas.
