Pluribus Overtakes Severance as Apple TV's Biggest Hit
The sci-fi drama has shattered viewership records on the streaming platform, with star Rhea Seehorn explaining what makes the show resonate so deeply with audiences.
The sci-fi drama Pluribus has shattered all previous viewership records on Apple TV, officially becoming the streaming service's most-watched series to date. Rhea Seehorn, who portrays Carol in the hit show, has her own take on why audiences can't seem to get enough of the series.
Smart Storytelling Drives Success
"Did I expect it? No, I wouldn't dare to," Seehorn responds when questioned about whether she anticipated the show's massive appeal. The actress points to creator Vince Gilligan's approach as a key factor in the series' triumph.
"I do think there 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," she explains.
Audience Engagement Over Passive Viewing
According to Seehorn, the show's refusal to spoon-feed viewers sets it apart from typical television fare. "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 Cultural Moment
The actress believes Pluribus has struck such a powerful chord because it speaks directly to contemporary concerns. Both critics and viewers have found multiple layers of meaning in the series, interpreting it as everything from commentary on artificial intelligence and ChatGPT to reflections on post-pandemic isolation.
"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," Seehorn notes. "It's been gratifying and thrilling to see people talk about the show in that kind of way."