Is Pluribus the "new Severance" on Apple TV (or even better)? Here's what we think 

One of the most awaited TV shows of 2025, Pluribus has arrived on Apple TV. Premiering recently on November 7 with two episodes, the high-concept sci-fi thriller and drama show has already won critical approval and is being loved by viewers as well.

Pluribus has long been awaited because it is the brainchild of Vince Gilligan, who is the iconic creator of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. While Gilligan’s other two shows dealt with crime and drama, Pluribus works in the realm of post-apocalyptic sci-fi. Starring Rhea Seehorn, the show’s premise focuses on Carol (Seehorn), who is a famous romance and fantasy author.

However, a mysterious incident makes the people of the world suddenly happy and content and Carol is not a part of this hive mind. As other people begin to forcibly make her a “happy” person, Carol decides to find out the reason behind this sudden change and reflect upon her inner self.

Gilligan’s intriguing sci-fi concept and direction, along with Seehorn’s compelling performance, has made Pluribus one of the most exciting shows of the year. However, the otherworldly themes of Pluribus have also made it a point of comparison with Severance, which was also a breakout hit from Apple TV and dealt with sci-fi concepts. Here’s a look at the two shows.

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How Pluribus and Severance are similar and how they differ from each other, explored

When Severance launched in 2022, nobody expected the show to become such a huge hit and one of the major factors behind its popularity was the high-concept sci-fi themes that the show dealt with and the stellar production levels of the series.

Severance focuses on a group of employees who work for a mysterious company called Lumon. The company practices a procedure whereby an employee’s memories are split into two so that there are two separate identities within the same person and one part does not remember what the other did.

The concept was fresh and engaging. Led by Adam Scott who plays Mark, Severance became a massive hit as the show slowly delved into the mysteries behind Lumon. Pluribus is also a sci-fi thriller and has immense production values. The Vince Gilligan-led series also offers a fresh concept to the viewers whereby Carol is one of the few people who is immune to the hive mind of the rest, who are bent upon making her conform.

Therefore, both Pluribus and Severance are similar in the fact that they come from similar genres and have been carefully directed and produced. Both shows have compelling performances by the actors and both shows deal with themes of otherworldly events, conformity, and identity.

In both the shows, the protagonists are trying to find out the reason behind such bizarre events like severance and the creation of a hive mind, while also trying to reflect upon their inner selves. However, apart from these generally broad similarities between the two shows, there are some differences between them as well.

According to Carly Lane’s Collider review of Pluribus,

“While this cerebral Apple TV sci-fi series does tackle similar themes as Severance, wrestling with questions of personal autonomy and consent as well as grief and depression, it sets itself apart through a broader exploration of humanity and a curiously optimistic core.”

Even Jake Kleinman from Polygon notes that,

“Pluribus seems to be far less precious than Severance about doling out answers. Gilligan is happy to explain his Twilight Zone-esque premise as questions arise... By comparison, we still know almost nothing about Lumen, the mysterious corporation at the heart of Severance, or the true purpose of its trippy, titular scientific procedure, which surgically separates people’s memories and consciousness into distinct “work” and “home” personalities.”

Therefore, one of the differences between Severance and Pluribus is the fact that Severance only concerns itself with the mysterious happenings of the company Lumon, while Pluribus covers the whole of humanity and how a sudden event can change everything and everyone.

Further, Gilligan is much more open to explaining his concept to the viewers and one can readily get answers to some of the questions that are raised on the show. However, Severance is more of a slow burn in its approach and each season unravels even deeper mysteries.

However, most of the critics agree that both shows have something different, fresh, and unique to offer and Pluribus and Severance both set themselves apart through their engaging stories, performances, and direction. At the end of the day, both shows are in a league of their own. It’s a great time for viewers as they get such high-quality shows to binge watch.

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Vince Gilligan talks about what he hopes to achieve with Pluribus

In an interview with Decider, creator Vince Gilligan talks about his vision for the show and how the show can offer viewers “a better way” as today’s world remains “divided.”

Pluribus might be a sci-fi series, but with only two of its episodes being released till now, the show has become a talking point on themes like autonomy, control, heroism, the effects of events like COVID, and more. In the interview with Decider, Gilligan notes that,

“I just want people to get along. First and foremost, it’s just a TV show. No TV show is going to cure cancer, so to speak... I want people to be along for the ride. Enjoy it. Be engaged by Carol... At the end of the day, that’s all I really hope for. But, this is so grandiose to say it, but the country is so divided... I’ll speak for the United States — but it feels like the precipice of civil war... Nobody of good will wants things to be the way they are right now. And I’m not talking politics. I’m talking about people being at each other’s throats. I’d like this show — as grandiose as it is to say — my lottery win version of this would be that people watch this thing and they say, ‘Maybe there’s a better way.’ It’d be fun for me. It’d be more than fun. It’d be deeply satisfying.”

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