Pluribus Overtakes Severance as Apple TV's Top Series

Pluribus has quietly claimed the title of Apple TV’s most-watched programme to date. Rhea Seehorn, who portrays Carol in the science fiction drama, has offered her perspective on why the series has resonated so strongly with audiences. When asked by GamesRadar+ if she had anticipated such a response, Seehorn replied,

“Did I expect it? No, I wouldn’t dare to.”

Intelligent Storytelling and Audience Respect

Seehorn credits the show’s creator, Vince Gilligan, for his distinctive approach to storytelling. She notes that Gilligan’s previous works, including Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, have always assumed a certain intelligence in their viewers.

“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.”

Sheehorn goes on to explain that the series avoids spoon-feeding its viewers, instead encouraging them to interpret events for themselves.

“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.”

Capturing the Current Mood

According to Seehorn, part of the show’s appeal lies in its engagement with contemporary issues. Both critics and the public have found layers of meaning within the narrative, from allegories about artificial intelligence and ChatGPT to reflections on isolation in a post-pandemic world. The series seems to tap into a collective sense of existential questioning.

Seehorn reflects,

“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. It’s been gratifying and thrilling to see people talk about the show in that kind of way.”

Ongoing Conversations and Future Prospects

With Pluribus now available to stream, discussions around its themes and implications continue to grow. Viewers are dissecting everything from the philosophical undertones to the broader cultural commentary, ensuring the series remains a talking point well beyond its initial release.

For those keen to delve deeper, guides to the second series and analyses of the first series’ conclusion are already fuelling further debate among fans and critics alike.