Vince Gilligan, the mastermind behind the iconic series Breaking Bad and co-creator of Better Call Saul, has finally emerged from the shadow of Walter White and Saul Goodman with his latest project, Pluribus. Described by Apple TV+ as a series centered on 'the most miserable person on Earth,' Pluribus dives into an entirely new realm, marked by existential musings and the unmistakable touch of Gilligan's dark humor.
Gilligan candidly admits, 'I'm more of a glass-half-empty kind of guy.' Known for his gentlemanly demeanor in Hollywood, he reveals that beneath the charm lies a more pessimistic nature. 'When I'm in interviews or the writers’ room, I try to be nice because it's pleasant to see people smile. But my true self is more negative," he states.
This darker side is vividly portrayed in Pluribus, Vince Gilligan's first major work since the thrilling saga of Walter White and Saul Goodman concluded three years ago. At the heart of the series is Carol—an embodiment of human misery—and Gilligan sees a bit of himself in her. 'The sarcasm, the negativity, the overall misery... it's the easiest part for me to write, honestly,' he confesses.
The transition away from the 'Heisenberg universe,' populated by fan-favorite characters such as Walter White, Jesse Pinkman, and Saul Goodman, was nerve-wracking for Gilligan. 'I was nervous about leaving that universe,' he confides. Reflecting on the uncertainty he faced after The X-Files and before Breaking Bad revolutionized his career, Gilligan remains humble about his success, attributing much of it to timing and luck. 'We had the right actors, in the right place, at the right time. Timing is luck, and luck is timing.'
Pluribus, with its audacious budget of $15 million per episode—five times that of Breaking Bad—represents Gilligan's creative leap. In an industry increasingly reliant on franchises, Apple TV+ bets on the strength of Gilligan's reputation. The show's premise remains enigmatic, with Gilligan teasing that 'the most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness.' Rhea Seehorn, unforgettable as Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul, takes the lead, delivering a magnetic performance oscillating between tragedy, comedy, and silent despair.
The production marked Gilligan's initial foray outside North America, filming in Northern Spain and the Canary Islands, yet staying true to his roots as Carol's story still unfolds in Albuquerque. Gilligan explains this decision, noting his personal connection to the locale, having bought a home there with his wife, Holly Rice, and maintaining his long-standing collaboration with the same crew. 'We understand each other almost without speaking,' he shares.
Exploring human misery, Pluribus echoes Gilligan's apprehensions about artificial intelligence. 'If you want to wake me up in a cold sweat at 3 a.m., AI is the right stick to poke me with,' he says. Yet, he holds onto the belief that humans will continue to seek stories crafted by other humans, rather than narratives generated by AI technologies recycling past art and literature.
Gilligan also expresses concerns about Hollywood's franchise dependency. While he appreciates beloved series like Star Wars, Marvel, and Star Trek, he laments the lack of space for new, unique ideas and the potential consequences of a market oversaturated with franchises. 'Am I lucky to do something original? Yes. It saddens me that it's become so rare,' he notes with a bittersweet smile.