Pluribus, the long-anticipated new series from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul creator Vince Gilligan, will debut globally on Apple TV+ on November 7, 2025. The streamer unveiled a cryptic teaser and first-look photo today, confirming the title and premiere details as fans rejoice over its return to storytelling ambition.
Pluribus “Happiness Is Contagious”
Apple TV+ ignited buzz with a brief teaser under the tagline “Happiness is Contagious”, featuring a disturbing but intriguing image of a woman in medical scrubs licking donuts and placing them back into a box marked “Help yourself!.
Though just a few seconds long, the teaser hints at the show’s surreal tone and possible setting within a transformed version of Maryland (or Albuquerque), marked by subtle visual cues such as regional signage and state-themed branding.
A “Grounded Genre Drama”
Pluribus is described as a genre-bending, grounded science-fiction drama. Gilligan summarizes the show’s core concept as: “The most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness.”
Gilligan has hinted that the show will take place in a modern world that abruptly shifts, leading to narrative repercussions that drive the season’s drama—echoing his penchant for emotional complexity mixed with speculative elements.
From the Creators of Breaking Bad
• Rhea Seehorn, known for her Emmy-nominated portrayal of Kim Wexler in ‘Breaking Bad’, returns as Gilligan’s lead in a role he wrote specifically for her.
• Supporting cast includes Karolina Wydra, Carlos Manuel Vesga, with guest stars Miriam Shor and Samba Schutte.
The show is structured as a nine-episode Season 1 and has already been picked up for a second season by Apple in a rare two-season straight-to-series order, underscoring its high priority within the platform’s lineup.
Filmed between early 2024 and September in Albuquerque, New Mexico, under the working title Wycaro 339, the production reflects Gilligan’s longtime affinity for New Mexico settings—even beyond his crime dramas.
Apple TV+ will debut Pluribus with a double-episode premiere on November 7, 2025, followed by new episodes every Friday through December 26. This release strategy matches Apple’s recent landed successes in high-concept series.
With holiday viewing in mind, the nine-week rollout aims to build momentum and weekly engagement among viewers already familiar with Gilligan’s reputation and storytelling prowess.
Following the crime-infused narratives of his previous series, Pluribus marks a significant shift into speculative fiction and philosophical spectacle. Gilligan has described it as a radical departure—no crime, no meth—but rather a deep exploration of the human condition under extraordinary change.
The Verge has highlighted that the show joins Apple TV+’s growing sci-fi lineup, including Murderbot, Foundation, Invasion, and an upcoming adaptation of Neuromancer—signaling Apple’s broader ambition in genre storytelling.
With Pluribus, Gilligan challenges expectations created by his prior successes, now leaning into speculative and surreal drama. Rhea Seehorn describes the tone as “thought‑provoking,” often “upsetting,” but with moments that are “so, so funny,” signaling a tonal complexity fans can expect.
Critics see Pluribus as a pivotal test for Gilligan: can he replicate his narrative mastery outside of the crime genre? Apple’s early renewal suggests strong confidence in his creative vision and delivery.
Pluribus represents Vince Gilligan’s bold evolution into speculative storytelling, anchored by a lead performance from Rhea Seehorn and framed by Apple’s emphasis on high-concept sci‑fi. With a two-episode launch on November 7 and weekly releases thereafter, the series promises to stand out in Apple TV+’s growing original slate—offering fans a brand-new world to dissect and obsess over.
