Apple TV+ has set a premiere date for Pluribus, the new series from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul creator Vince Gilligan. The nine-episode first season will debut with two episodes on November 7, 2025, with weekly installments through December 26.
The show marks Gilligan’s return to television after the conclusion of Better Call Saul, but unlike his previous crime dramas, Pluribus ventures into more surreal and genre-blending territory. Apple is calling it a “genre-bending original,” though how deeply it leans into science fiction remains to be seen.
Rhea Seehorn, who earned critical acclaim for her portrayal of Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul, takes the lead once again in Pluribus. She plays what Apple cryptically describes as “the most miserable person on Earth,” tasked with saving the world “from happiness.” A teaser released alongside the announcement offers little clarity, featuring a hospital employee absentmindedly licking donuts—an unsettling moment that hints at the show’s off-kilter tone.
While few concrete plot details are available, Pluribus is expected to walk a line between dark comedy, grounded drama, and speculative fiction—staying in step with Apple’s growing roster of ambitious genre programming.
Apple TV+ has steadily carved out a niche in high-concept science fiction and speculative storytelling. The platform already houses shows like Foundation, Silo, Severance, For All Mankind, Neuromancer, and the upcoming Murderbotadaptation. With Pluribus, Apple adds yet another project that blends traditional TV drama with genre experimentation.
Gilligan’s new series was first announced in 2022, with Apple committing to two seasons from the outset—a rare move that reflects high confidence in the creative team. It also signals a continuation of Apple’s strategy of locking down major showrunners and auteurs in an increasingly competitive streaming landscape.
Though marketed as a “science fiction drama,” Pluribus may offer something less straightforward than robots or space travel. Early descriptions point to a character-driven, grounded story with genre elements used more for thematic resonance than spectacle—perhaps more The Leftovers than The Expanse.
Whatever the tone, Pluribus already has the ingredients of a streaming event: a cult-favorite lead, a celebrated creator, and a platform with a proven appetite for risk-taking storytelling.
