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Pluribus is a sci-fi show by Vince Gilligan, streaming on Apple TV+. Episode 6, titled HDP, was released on December 5, 2025.
The show is set in a dark future where a strange alien virus has changed almost all humans. They become one happy hive mind called the Others. Pluribus follows Carol Sturka, played by Rhea Seehorn. Carol is one of the few immune people. She refuses to join the hive. She tries to expose the truth behind the Others’ fake peace.
Episode 6 shocked viewers as it revealed what the Others really eat. They survive on human-derived protein, called HDP. This protein comes from dead human bodies. The reveal comes from a surprise appearance by John Cena. He appears as a hive-controlled version of himself. He explains HDP in a corporate-style video. The moment is creepy and darkly funny.
Samba Schutte on John Cena’s Cameo in Pluribus
When reporters asked Samba Schutte about the surprise cameo, he had a strong reaction. He said the choice of John Cena was “so perfect.” In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Schutte praised the moment. He said the cameo was unexpected. He also said it fit the story extremely well.
“Rhea and I had to react to Vince saying, ‘We’re cannibals, but we have to be.’ But to know that it was eventually going to be John Cena was so perfect. Who better than John Cena to break down why they’re cannibals and make sense of it in a sweet PowerPoint presentation way?”
Samba Schutte added that working on the John Cena scene was funny and exciting. From the start of Pluribus, the idea stood out to him. A wrestler-turned-actor explaining why the hive eats dead bodies felt very strange. He liked the idea, but he did not know how it would look on set.
When they finally filmed the scene, the cast was surprised. The person on the screen was not John Cena at first. It was the show’s creator, Vince Gilligan. Gilligan had recorded himself explaining the milk. He also explained why the Others drink it.
Samba Schutte told The Hollywood Reporter that he loved the strange friendship in Pluribus. His character, Koumba Diabaté, casually hangs out with John Cena. He even learns wrestling moves from him. Diabaté calls him “John.” Carol really hates that.
Schutte said this small detail is important. It shows who Diabaté really is. Even though the Others act like one group, Diabaté still sees them as individuals. He believes they still have their own identities. That belief shapes how he treats John Cena’s character.
In a separate interview with Decider, Samba Schutte said he was shocked at first when he learned the Others eat human bodies. He read the word “bodies” in the script and thought the show was becoming a zombie story. Vince Gilligan then explained the twist. He said Pluribus was using old sci-fi ideas. These included zombie and body-snatcher tropes. The show tricks the audience on purpose. It leads them one way. Then it suddenly changes direction.
Schutte said the logic won him over in the end. He liked how the show explained the cannibalism. He said John Cena was the perfect choice. He laughed and said no one else fit the role better. Cena calmly explained something very disturbing. Schutte said the reason made sense in the show. Without eating the dead, billions would starve. That made the twist feel real in that world.
From Koumba’s view, the idea is logical. Koumba does not agree with it morally. But he understands why it happens. Schutte said the Others did not kill anyone. They also cannot grow or pick food anymore. They cannot even pick an apple. So, in their logic, using human remains is survival.
Schutte added that this is where the tension feels strongest. Carol reacts with fear and anger. Koumba stands in the middle. He sees the Others’ need to survive. He also understands Carol’s disgust.
Schutte said Koumba acts like a diplomat. He listens to both sides. He tries to understand everyone. Carol wants to change the world, no matter the cost. But Koumba is not so sure. He questions whether that kind of change is always needed.
At the center of Pluribus is the “Joining.” It is caused by an alien virus. It turns almost all humans into one shared mind. They become calm, peaceful, and united. However, they also lose their individuality. Only a few people stay unjoined. Carol and Diabaté are among them. They keep their free will. But they live in danger and loneliness.
Before Pluribus Episode 6, the Others seem gentle and happy. They believe “Joining” is a good thing. They welcome survivors. They act like a perfect society. Episode 6 changes everything. Carol finds human body parts in cold storage. They are wrapped and saved for food. The Others do not kill. But they do eat the dead.
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The Others believe they are doing nothing wrong. They do not kill animals. They do not harm plants. They believe they are saving lives. But their survival is still terrifying.
John Cena’s calm voice makes it feel real. It makes the horror harder to ignore. The episode asks a scary question. Would people accept something terrible if it felt “necessary”?
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