Against all odds, Vince Gilligan’s new series, Pluribus, has exploded onto the scene, shattering records and captivating audiences worldwide! Despite a premise shrouded in mystery and a title that sent many scrambling for a dictionary, this Apple TV drama has become its most-watched debut ever. This is a testament to the power of great storytelling and the undeniable draw of Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan.
Apple TV announced that Pluribus has surpassed Severance Season 2 to claim the title of the biggest global drama series launch. The show’s success spans over 100 territories, with the U.S., UK, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Germany, Mexico, India, and France leading the charge.
In the U.S., the show’s popularity is backed up by the Nielsen Streaming Content Ratings, which tracked the viewing minutes for the first two episodes over their premiere weekend. The show, starring Rhea Seehorn, launched with two episodes on Friday, November 7th. While official Nielsen data is still a couple of weeks away, Luminate reported that Pluribus racked up 6.4 million hours watched in the U.S. during its first week. This impressive performance landed it at #4 for the week, even though the other shows in the top spots had significantly more episodes available.
There’s even anecdotal evidence of the show’s popularity, with reports of the Apple TV app crashing due to the high demand after the first two episodes were released.
“Rarely has keeping the secret of a show we love so much been as fun or as rewarding an experience as it has been with Pluribus,” said Matt Cherniss, Apple TV’s head of programming. “Vince’s strikingly inventive premise blew us away from the second we read it, and witnessing the brilliance with which he has brought this series to life is truly remarkable. “It’s a thrill to watch audiences worldwide get hooked on this thought-provoking, insightful and darkly funny show rooted in humanity by an exceptional cast led by the talented Rhea Seehorn. and we can’t wait for viewers to dive deeper into the mystery.”
Apple TV won a bidding war for Pluribus back in 2022, securing a two-season order. The genre-bending sci-fi drama follows Carol Sturka (Seehorn), the most miserable person on Earth, who must save the world from happiness. The cast also includes Karolina Wydra and Carlos-Manuel Vesga, with guest appearances by Miriam Shor and Samba Schutte.
But here’s where it gets interesting: the fourth episode of Pluribus, titled “Please, Carol,” premiered on Apple TV on November 21, 2025, with new episodes following every Friday until December 26.
And there’s more! A full chapter from “Bloodsong of Wycaro,” a story drawn from the world of Pluribus, is now available on Apple Books, giving fans even more to enjoy.
Pluribus is produced by Sony Pictures Television and executive produced by Gilligan, along with Gordon Smith, Alison Tatlock, Diane Mercer, Allyce Ozarski, and Jeff Frost. Jenn Carroll and Trina Siopy serve as co-executive producers.
What do you think about the show’s success? Do you find the premise intriguing, or do you think the hype is overblown? Share your thoughts in the comments below!