We Counted How Many Breaking Bad Universe Alums Are in the Pluribus Cast

Vince Gilligan is back in Albuquerque, but not for another meth saga. His new Apple TV+ sci-fi drama 'Pluribus' (stylized as 'PLUR1BUS') is rolling out November 7, 2025, with the first two episodes dropping at once. It is already locked for Season 2, which is a confident flex before anyone has even seen it. The hook: a woman who is miserable on a good day might be the only person who can save humanity from a virus that makes everyone blissfully obedient. So, yes — saving the world from happiness.

What this thing actually is

Rhea Seehorn leads as Carol Sturka, a self-described life disaster who discovers she is somehow immune to a mysterious outbreak that turns people euphoric and pliant. The tone sits in that Gilligan sweet spot: science fiction drama with dark humor and some existential shivers. Think more psychological and social sci-fi than lasers and spaceships — call it a blend of 'The Twilight Zone' unease with the case-of-the-week eeriness Gilligan cut his teeth on with 'The X-Files'.

Tagline: 'The most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness.'

Release plan (and yes, a schedule that actually lines up)

Season 1 runs 9 episodes. Apple is premiering two on November 7, 2025, then going weekly through December 26, 2025. Do the math: 2 on premiere night, then one each Friday for seven more weeks. Clean and simple.

Bob Odenkirk on the show: 'it's going to be the biggest thing, well, since sliced bread, but really since Game of Thrones.'

Cast you will see

• Rhea Seehorn as Carol Sturka
• Karolina Wydra as Zosia / Ana
• Carlos-Manuel Vesga as Manousos
• Miriam Shor as Helen
• Samba Schutte (role not yet revealed)
• Monae Lott as Twin Sister #2
• Monique Lott as Twin Sister #1
• Jennifer Bravo as Neighbor
• McKenzie Scott as Patient
• Kevin Chambers as Dr. Nguyen
• Peter Bergman appears as a guest star

Small note for the credits-watchers: some early materials list Miriam Shor and Samba Schutte among the main cast, while other press notes tag them as guest stars. Either way, they are in the mix — just expect the billing to vary a bit until the show airs.

The Breaking Bad overlap (and what it is not)

Yes, it is set (and shot) in Albuquerque. Yes, it looks like Gilligan: sunbaked New Mexico vistas, oddball ensembles, tension simmering under the mundane. But this is his first series outside the 'Breaking Bad' universe, and it plays by its own rules. As for the cast, Rhea Seehorn is the only confirmed alum from that world — Kim Wexler in 'Better Call Saul' — and she is the only announced actor with documented credits in 'Breaking Bad', 'Better Call Saul', or 'El Camino'.

That said, Gilligan knows fans will be scanning the corners of the frame.

Vince Gilligan teased: 'There might be a couple if you keep your eyes and ears peeled. Fans of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, if they pay close attention, they might come upon an Easter egg or two.'

These are meant as winks, not lore drops. 'Pluribus' lives in its own continuity. Gilligan has joked he cannot look at Albuquerque without seeing shades of Heisenberg, but he is building a completely separate sandbox here.

Behind the scenes: who is making it and when they made it

Gilligan is creator and showrunner, working with Sony Pictures Television for Apple TV+. Executive producers include Vince Gilligan, Gordon Smith, Alison Tatlock, Diane Mercer, Allyce Ozarski, and Jeff Frost, with Jenn Carroll and Trina Siopy serving as co-executive producers. Filming ran February through September 2024 in Albuquerque under the working title 'Wycaro 339'.

If you are a Gilligan-head, you will recognize the DNA: the New Mexico look, the ensemble rhythm, and a tone that balances gallows humor with creeping dread. Also, the stylization 'PLUR1BUS' is very much on purpose.

The vibe heading into November

Between Seehorn reuniting with Gilligan, the premise that flips 'utopia' into a threat, and Apple betting on a second season before launch, there is real heat here. Now we get to see if the show hits the hype bar Odenkirk just set or if he, uh, oversold the sliced bread metaphor.

'Pluribus' premieres November 7, 2025 on Apple TV+ in the U.S. First two episodes on day one, then weekly through December 26.