The science fiction series Pluribus has officially become Apple TV’s biggest hit of all time, surpassing giants like Severance and Ted Lasso. Created by Vince Gilligan, the mind behind Breaking Bad, the show premiered in November 2025 and already leads the streaming service’s viewership rankings. With actress Rhea Seehorn in the lead role, the series boosted the platform’s engagement by 36% in December alone, cementing itself as a phenomenon with both audiences and critics in early 2026.
The success is due to a combination of a captivating premise and critical acclaim, which granted the series a rare 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. In the plot, Seehorn plays one of the few people on Earth immune to a collective mind that dominates humanity. Furthermore, the recent Golden Globe won by the protagonist and the renewal for a second season reinforce the production’s cultural impact. Thus, Pluribus establishes itself not only as a ratings success but also as a strong contender for awards.
Production Details and Future
The writing team has already returned to work to develop the second season, although Vince Gilligan has stated he does not intend to rush the process. “We always find our best way forward by being in our bunker creating this thing,” said the creator, who prioritizes narrative quality. Despite the pressure for new content, the philosophy is to make a series that first pleases the creators themselves, who consider themselves the project’s first fans.
In addition to the Golden Globe for Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus has already accumulated awards such as Best Actress in a Drama Series at the Critics’ Choice Awards and Program of the Year at the AFI Awards. Currently, on January 14, 2026, the series remains at the top of Apple TV’s ranking in the United States, ahead of Hijack and Tehran. Therefore, the phenomenon seems far from over, with a solid fan base and a second season on the way to expand its narrative universe.
