The show’s sixth episode delivers one of the year’s most bizarre and talked-about television moments. In Pluribus Episode 6, titled “HDP”, Carol Sturka’s terrifying discovery about the hive mind’s food source is explained by a completely unexpected messenger: John Cena. The actor and wrestler appears as a cheerful, hive-controlled version of himself to calmly detail a shocking truth, blending horror with dark comedy in a way only this series could .
What Carol Discovers and How Cena Explains It
The episode picks up immediately after the cliffhanger of Episode 5, “Got Milk”, where Carol found a warehouse full of frozen human body parts near a facility producing the Others’ milk . She drives to Las Vegas to confront another immune survivor, Mr. Diabaté, played by Samba Schutte . To her shock, he already knows the truth and plays a pre-recorded video message from the hive mind intended for her .
The video features John Cena, who introduces himself with the hive mind’s collective voice, saying, “Hello, Carol. We’re John Cena” . In a straightforward, informative tone, he explains the concept of HDP, or Human-Derived Protein . Cena’s character outlines the Others’ dilemma: their strict code prevents them from harming or killing any form of life, which includes plants and animals . This leaves them with a critical food shortage.
The solution, as presented by Cena, is to use the remains of people who die naturally from accidents or old age. He states that “nearly 100,000 people pass away each day due to natural causes and accidents. Those human remains, which would otherwise go to waste, are our source of HDP” . The protein is mixed with stockpiled food to create the nutritional milk that sustains the global hive mind .
“We just thought, ‘Who is, simultaneously, the most random person to explain the eating of human flesh to Carol Sturka and the most interesting?’” – Vince Gilligan on casting John Cena .
Behind the Scenes of the Surprise Cameo
The idea to use John Cena for this specific reveal came directly from series creator Vince Gilligan. In interviews, Gilligan explained the offbeat logic behind the choice. He wanted a figure of apparent authority and sincerity to deliver the disturbing news, making the hive’s justification seem oddly rational .
Gilligan joked about the casting process, saying, “I wanted Queen Elizabeth, but someone told me that sadly, she had passed away. So John Cena was kind of a second choice for us” . The production team reached out to Cena, who agreed to the cameo and was flexible with timing, offering to film “on a weekend” . The scene was shot on a small soundstage in Tampa, Florida, to accommodate his schedule .
Interestingly, Cena filmed his part without meeting the main cast and without full context for the scene. Gilligan recalled that after the shoot, Cena said, “I can’t wait to find out what the hell it was I just said” . His performance, described as sincere and disarming, was completed in just a few takes .
How the Cameo Fits Into the Show’s Story
The use of John Cena is not just a random celebrity stunt. Within the story, the hive mind specifically selects him as a messenger they believe will resonate with Mr. Diabaté, who sees Cena as a trustworthy and authoritative figure . This detail shows the Others’ manipulative understanding of the humans they are trying to manage.
For Carol, played by Rhea Seehorn, the video is a breaking point. It confirms her worst fears that the seemingly peaceful Others are monstrous. However, the calm, logical presentation also complicates the narrative, forcing her—and the audience—to question the morality of the hive’s survival actions .
The episode also featured another behind-the-scenes surprise. The prop head that Carol discovers in the freezer is a scan of Vince Gilligan’s own head, a nod to Alfred Hitchcock’s famous cameos .
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Where to Watch Pluribus
Pluribus is streaming exclusively on Apple TV+. Episode 6, “HDP”, premiered on Friday, December 5, 2025. New episodes of the nine-part first season are released weekly on Fridays, with the season finale scheduled for December 26, 2025. Subscribers can often watch new episodes a few hours early, starting at 9:00 p.m. ET on Thursday nights.
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