Vince Gilligan Reflects on Bold Ideas for ‘Pluribus’ and the Early Doubts About ‘Breaking Bad’
Vince Gilligan Discusses Creative Choices for Pluribus at SXSW
Vince Gilligan, creator of Pluribus, shared intriguing insights at the SXSW panel titled “Albuquerque Aftermath: From Breaking Bad to Pluribus.” Accompanied by Pluribus star Rhea Seehorn, Gilligan recounted early discussions about the series and its unconventional themes.
Gilligan revealed that he had considered depicting extras in Pluribus without clothing, stating, “We talked about they didn’t need to wear clothes at all, but we’re not working for HBO. But then we thought, we can’t do that to all these extras. We can’t all be naked.” His humorous approach underscored the show’s commitment to its unique narrative while maintaining a level of decorum.
Seehorn joined in the lighthearted banter, quipping, “Can you imagine … if I had to try to act with 300 naked people?”
The series, which premiered on AppleTV, revolves around a world infected by an alien-transmitted virus that induces excessive joy. Only a handful of survivors remain, including the irritable romantasy author Carol Sturka, who reluctantly works to restore balance. Following its debut, Pluribus has already been renewed for a second season.
During the panel, Gilligan also reflected on the initial reception of Breaking Bad. He recalled a former Sony Pictures executive describing the premise of a high school chemistry teacher turned meth lord as “the single worst idea I’ve ever heard." Despite this initial skepticism, Gilligan noted that the executive later recognized the misjudgment.
Moreover, Gilligan shared that his pitch for Breaking Bad to HBO had not gone well. He described the experience as “a toxic gamma radiation of disinterest.”
The discussion featured additional insights from notable panelists, including Pluribus composer Dave Porter, costume designer Jennifer Bryan, and executive producer Trina Siopy. Gilligan provided an update on the upcoming second season, assuring fans that the writing team is hard at work, remarking, “It ain’t gonna be The Pitt coming back every year.”
