Vince Gilligan Returns with ‘Pluribus,’ A Unique New Series

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Vince Gilligan, known for creating the iconic series Breaking Bad and co-creating Better Call Saul, has unveiled his new series titled Pluribus. This marks his first project outside the Heisenberg universe since the conclusion of the beloved shows three years ago.

In interviews, Gilligan describes himself as a “glass-half-empty guy.” He admits that while he strives to maintain a positive demeanor during public appearances, he relates more closely to darker themes. “I’m not unlike Carol, really,” he said, referring to his new main character, whom Apple TV+ calls “the most miserable person on Earth.”

Gilligan has said his own pessimistic outlook influences his work, and with Pluribus, he brings this experience to life through the character Carol. “The sarcasm and the negativity…that’s the easy part for me, honestly,” he explained. Despite his past triumphs, it took nearly two decades for him to break from the narrative universe established by Breaking Bad, partly due to his nerves about moving on.

“I was nervous about leaving the Heisenberg universe,” he admitted. He acknowledges that the unexpected success of Breaking Bad led to a cautious approach to new projects, where he often felt unready to take the leap. “I don’t know what we did right to make it go off like a skyrocket,” he said about Breaking Bad’s impact.

Now, Gilligan has been given creative freedom he believes he deserves, and Pluribus reflects that. With a reported budget of $15 million per episode, significantly exceeding the costs of Breaking Bad, Apple TV+ aims to attract viewers to this entirely original story, which centers on Carol’s task of saving the world from happiness.

The role of Carol is played by Rhea Seehorn, known for her acclaimed performance in Better Call Saul but still on the rise to stardom. Gilligan expressed confidence that audience recognition of his storytelling will be enough to draw viewers, even with the series’s unique premise.

Pluribus exhibits Gilligan’s knack for storytelling, combining drama with high-concept ideas learned from both Breaking Bad and The X-Files. Notably, the shoot included locations outside North America, such as northern Spain and the Canary Islands, while still featuring Albuquerque as Carol’s home base, a nod to Gilligan’s longstanding ties to the area.

As he navigates new thematic elements with Pluribus, Gilligan has also commented on the current entertainment climate, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence. He voiced concerns about AI’s impact on storytelling, stating, “If you really want to wake me in a cold sweat at three in the morning, AI is the stick to poke me with.” He argued that humans desire stories crafted by other humans rather than those generated through automation.

Gilligan criticized Hollywood’s increasing reliance on established intellectual properties, fearing that an industry focused solely on franchise stories could jeopardize opportunities for original content. He characterized the ability to create Pluribus as a fortunate outcome in a challenging creative landscape.