After a mysterious alien signal turns nearly all of humanity into a peaceful, hive-minded collective, one woman stands alone. Rhea Seehorn, who plays the immune and furious Carol Sturka in Apple TV’s new sci-fi thriller Pluribus, has shared new insights into the show’s upcoming episodes.
The series, from Vince Gilligan, the creator of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, launched with its first two episodes on November 7, 2025. The show has already hooked audiences with its unique premise and Seehorn’s powerful performance. In a recent interview, the star discussed her character’s difficult journey and the intense challenges that lie ahead.
The Story So Far
Pluribus begins with scientists detecting an alien signal containing an RNA sequence. A lab accident leads to a global outbreak of “the Joining,” an extraterrestrial virus that unites everyone into a blissful, single-minded entity. Millions die during the transformation, and only a handful of people remain unaffected.
Seehorn plays Carol Sturka, a misanthropic fantasy romance novelist who is immune to the virus. She finds herself utterly alone in a world where everyone, including her wife, has been absorbed into the collective. The infected, who speak using “we” and share a single consciousness, are unnervingly polite and insist they only want to help Carol. Their primary goal is to find a way to make her and the other immune survivors join them.
“You just can’t take your eyes off her,” Gilligan said of his decision to write the lead role specifically for Seehorn. “She’s got a wonderful charisma. And she can do anything — make you laugh, make you cry.”
A Deeper Look at the World of Pluribus
The show is more than just an alien invasion story. It functions as a sharp allegory for abusive relationships and a critique of conformity. Carol is constantly urged to control her anger, deny her own instincts, and accept that the hive knows what is best for her. Her genuine human emotions, especially her grief and rage, cause the hive mind to malfunction, leading to fatal consequences for which she is then blamed.
Early reviews have praised the show’s daring concept. The Guardian noted the “audacity” of creating a show that suggests universal happiness could be a nightmare, while Variety highlighted Gilligan’s return to his sci-fi roots from his time on The X-Files.
The series also features a strong supporting cast, including Karolina Wydra as Zosia, a representative assigned by the hive to attend to Carol’s every need, and Carlos Manuel Vesga and Miriam Shor.
What to Expect in the Coming Episodes
With the first two episodes setting up this unsettling new world, viewers are eager to know where the story is headed. According to Rhea Seehorn, the tension and stakes will only continue to rise.
Seehorn described her character as an “emotional hot mess” who is “reluctant” and “inept” at being a hero. She teased that Carol’s journey will be about discovering whether she can rise to the occasion despite her own profound sadness and anger.
“The folks who rise to the occasion, despite the fact that they’re scared and lonely and sad and would rather have someone else take this mantle from them,” Gilligan added, “those are the interesting characters to me.”
The upcoming episodes will explore Carol’s attempts to connect with the other immune survivors. However, her hope of forming a resistance is complicated by the fact that not all of them share her perspective. Some are content to live a comfortable, catered existence, making Carol’s fight for individuality even more isolating.
Release Schedule for New Episodes
New episodes of Pluribus are released weekly on Fridays on Apple TV+. The first season consists of nine episodes, with the finale scheduled for December 26, 2025.
Here is the full release schedule:
- Episode 1: “We Is Us” – Aired November 7
- Episode 2: “Pirate Lady” – Aired November 7
- Episode 3: “Grenade” – Aired November 14
- Episode 4: – November 21
- Episode 5: – November 28
- Episode 6: – December 5
- Episode 7: – December 12
- Episode 8: – December 19
- Episode 9: – December 26
Fans of thought-provoking science fiction and character-driven drama will not want to miss the unfolding story of Pluribus.
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