Vince Gilligan is a name that certainly needs no introduction to the world of TV shows. Even if you don’t know who he is specifically, you will definitely be familiar with his work. With Breaking Bad being the #1 rated show, and Better Call Saul being placed at a respectable #26 (IMDb.com), Gilligan is a mastermind when it comes to directing his shows. He understands what it takes to tell a masterful story and how to keep it relevant over the years. Now in 2025, Gilligan plans to step away from the world of crime and into the Sci-Fi world with his new series, “Pluribus”.
As successful as “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” were, fans fully expected Gilligan to expand on his drug-crime universe. When it came time to announce the release date in July 2025, excited fans were skeptical when “Pluribus” was described as a Sci-Fi show. Why would Gilligan abandon his famous crime franchise? According to Esquire.com, a 2023 interview with Gilligan revealed his take on the show. “I wouldn’t call this heavy science fiction; I would call it mild science fiction. But it does have a sci-fi element to it, at its core.” He added, “There’s no crime, and no methamphetamine.” After revealing his intentions for the upcoming release, he confirmed it would take place in Albuquerque, NM, just like his previous two shows.
Although this is an entirely new concept and series, there are still some familiar faces from the Gilligan’s Island universe. According to Wikipedia.com, Rhea Seehorn, a lead Better Call Saul actress, is returning alongside her new co-stars Karolina Wydra and Carlos Manuel Vesga. Now that everything about the cast and backstory has been explained, what is the series actually about? Esquire.com says, “…it looks as if the Covid-19 pandemic may have heavily inspired this series. There are a lot of dystopian images of people bringing Seehorn’s character, Carol, food and water straight to her door.” Another description by Wikipedia.com describes Carol as “…the only person immune to an unexplained virus that transforms the world’s population into content and optimistic citizens.”
As of the writing of this article, Apple TV has unveiled an official trailer for Pluribus. Gilligan comments on the trailer, saying, “The drama of the show is that the world’s most miserable person is desperately trying to save the planet from happiness. There’s a surprising amount of drama that we’re mining from that. … She doesn’t really want to be tasked with saving the world, but she more or less feels like it’s her duty.” Over the already confirmed 9-episode season one, we will see what this means, as well as how the information Gilligan released will hold up. Alongside that, it was confirmed that Apple TV has already purchased two seasons of Pluribus upfront —a risky move in the TV world, but it shows their trust in Gilligan’s directorial skills.
As we inch closer to the show’s release date, fans are sure to be surprised by Gilligan’s new creative direction. Though it may not resonate with everyone’s past entertainment of Breaking Bad, one thing is definitive: Vince knows how to tell, show, expand, and conclude a story. If you need a new binge-watch for 2026, Pluribus may be your chance to fulfill it.
