Pluribus Star Rhea Seehorn Learned About a Surprise Better Call Saul Cameo Mid-Scene

Well, that was a curveball. Pluribus just dropped a cameo in episode 5 that was so left-field it even surprised the show’s lead, Rhea Seehorn.

Spoilers ahead for episode 5.

Where we pick up

After Carol doses Zosia in a desperate attempt to pry intel from the Others, the hivemind basically backs off. She’s largely on her own now. The one exception: the Others give Carol a number to call. On the line, there’s a voicemail from a very familiar-sounding voice, reassuring her that they’re keeping their distance but still want to keep her happy.

That voice you recognized (or thought you did)

If you heard Howard Hamlin in there, you’re not imagining things. The voice belongs to Patrick Fabian, who played the smarmy-turned-doomed lawyer opposite Seehorn’s Kim Wexler on Better Call Saul. It’s a sly mini-reunion tucked inside this show’s creeping sci-fi weirdness.

They didn’t tell Seehorn, on purpose

Here’s the fun part: Seehorn had no idea whose voice would be waiting when she shot the scene. The team was apparently hoping they might catch her breaking on camera. No such luck. She kept it together through a long first take, even though she says a facial-micro-expression expert could probably freeze-frame the exact moment she internally went, 'What? Patrick?'

Once they cut, she cracked up, ran out, and yelled, 'That’s Patrick! You got Patrick!' The producers admitted they’d been sitting on the secret for a while just to mess with her.

Why this show is so dialed in on Seehorn

Creator Vince Gilligan has been clear that Pluribus was built around her from the jump:

'I wrote this show for her. I love her so much... We enjoyed writing for her on Better Call Saul so much that I created this show just for her. I knew she was someone I could confidently count on to lead a TV series... It was long past time for her to be a star.'

Pluribus is currently airing on Apple TV.