Pluribus Isn’t the Next Severance — It Might Be Even Better

The series quickly turned into a word‑of‑mouth juggernaut, and when it returned for a second season in 2025 it felt like a genuine cultural moment.

Apple seems to be chasing lightning again with Pluribus, the new high‑concept drama from Vince Gilligan — the creative force behind Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. While comparisons to Severance are natural, Pluribus charts its own course; my sense is that it may offer something even more compelling.

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Pluribus unfolds after a world‑altering event leaves humanity calm, content and, by most measures, happy. I won’t spoil the opening episode here, but virtually everyone accepts this new reality — except for Carol (played by Better Call Saul standout Rhea Seehorn). Carol, a bestselling romantasy author who privately disdains her most fervent readers, refuses to surrender to the collective bliss and embarks on a mission to reverse what has happened.

Both Pluribus and Severance hinge on intricate, high‑concept mysteries that hook viewers and then unravel across multiple episodes and seasons. Apple reportedly ordered two seasons of Gilligan’s series without seeing the finished show; meanwhile, Severance already has a third season confirmed and in preproduction. From the first seven episodes screened for critics, Pluribus feels less guarded about doling out explanations than Severance does.

Gilligan is willing to clarify his Twilight Zone‑ish premise as the narrative unfolds; the citizens of this altered world are almost unnervingly accommodating to Carol’s demands. By contrast, Severance still withholds much about Lumen — the enigmatic corporation at the center of its story — and about the purpose of the procedure that cleaves people’s memories into separate “work” and “home” selves.

There’s understandable anxiety about whether Severance will deliver satisfying answers to its long‑running questions (comparisons to Lost are common). I share some of that worry, but I don’t feel it as keenly about Pluribus. Gilligan has a strong record of delivering finales that land, and an instinct for concluding stories at the right moment so they don’t overstay their welcome. He’s acknowledged that the series’ long‑term path isn’t fully mapped out yet, but he’s demonstrably capable of finding the right tonal and narrative balance. He has said he’s still feeling out the arc.

Stylistically, Pluribus is more restrained than Severance; it doesn’t lean on an aggressively stylized palette or conspicuous camera flourishes. Still, Gilligan’s eye for composition is on full display, and the New Mexico landscapes offer luminous, quietly striking backdrops. There are moments of real visual poetry and the sly, comedic framing Gilligan does so well — nothing yet as instantly iconic as the pizza‑on‑the‑roof from Breaking Bad, but some early images come close.

Whether Pluribus will reach the same cultural altitude as Severance — inspiring fevered theories and sustained online obsession — remains to be seen. Ultimately, what matters most is whether the series delivers a satisfying, well‑crafted story. On the evidence of these initial episodes, Gilligan appears well positioned to do just that.

Pluribus premieres November 7, 2025 on Apple TV.

Source: Polygon