Pluribus Overtakes Severance as Apple TV’s Top Hit

Pluribus has just claimed the title of Apple TV’s most-watched series, leaving previous favourites in the dust. Rhea Seehorn, who steps into the role of Carol in this sci-fi drama, has her own take on why punters are tuning in by the millions. When asked if she saw this level of success coming, Seehorn replied,

‘Did I expect it? No, I wouldn’t dare to,’

showing just how surprising the show’s rise has been, even for those involved.

She reckons the credit goes to creator Vince Gilligan and his knack for trusting his audience’s smarts.

‘I do think there are a lot of very smart shows, and I also give credit to [creator] Vince Gilligan and his particular audiences – starting with Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, now Pluribus – [where] he very much assumes the intelligence of his audience, which I think people feel rewarded by.’

According to Seehorn, viewers aren’t just sitting back and letting the story wash over them. Instead, they’re being challenged to think for themselves, with the show refusing to spoon-feed them every emotion or message.

Smart Storytelling and Audience Engagement

Seehorn points out that Pluribus doesn’t hand everything to the audience on a platter.

‘It’s not passive television and, also, you’re not being spoon-fed: here’s exactly what to think about this, here’s a song to tell you when it’s sad. How about being open to interpretation? How about it inspiring conversation rather than preaching one particular thing? I think people have felt rewarded by that.’

The show’s approach leaves plenty of room for interpretation, sparking conversation rather than dictating a single viewpoint. This, she believes, is a big part of why so many have connected with it.

It’s not just the clever writing that’s struck a chord. Pluribus has managed to tap into the current mood, with critics and viewers alike finding all sorts of meanings in its storylines. Some see it as a metaphor for artificial intelligence and the rise of tools like ChatGPT, while others reckon it’s about dealing with loneliness in a world still feeling the effects of COVID. The show’s willingness to tackle big, philosophical questions has clearly resonated.

Capturing the Zeitgeist

Seehorn admits she didn’t see the show’s massive popularity coming, but she understands why it’s hit home for so many.

‘I didn’t see it coming, but it makes sense to me that it would strike a particular chord – maybe a lot of us really did want to have some of these big, philosophical questions and weren’t sure where to funnel it,’

she says. The fact that viewers are keen to discuss and debate the show’s themes has been both exciting and rewarding for the cast and crew.

With Pluribus now streaming, fans are already looking ahead to what’s next. There’s plenty of buzz around the upcoming second season, and the first season’s ending has left heaps of people eager for answers. For now, though, it’s clear that Pluribus has managed to capture the attention—and imagination—of audiences everywhere.