Where was Pluribus shot? Revisiting key filming locations of the Apple TV thriller

A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)
A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)

Pluribus is the brainchild of Vince Gilligan and offers a distinct story on Apple TV. The series follows Carol Sturka, a writer living in a world transformed by a virus.

She is the only person left who is immune to the infection, and everyone around her tries to infect her. The science fiction thriller takes audiences on a journey through multiple locations. The story unfolds as Carol tries to comprehend what happened to the world. She needs to find a way to reverse the effects of the mysterious phenomenon.

The series blends separate genres to create a chilling story. Filming took place across different regions to bring this unusual story to life. The production team worked tirelessly to capture the right ambience for each sequence.


New Mexico served as the primary location for Pluribus

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The central Pluribus filming locations were in New Mexico, where Albuquerque became the main setting for the show. The city has a unique connection to Vince Gilligan's work. He previously filmed Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad in the exact location.

The production team started filming in February 2024 and worked for several months. More than 100 performers from New Mexico joined the production. Hundreds of background actors also came from the state.

The unit built the whole neighbourhood from scratch. They constructed a real house on the outskirts of Albuquerque. These were not fabricated settings. The structure was made of brick, stone, and wood. The crew built entire streets with asphalt roads.

They added concrete sidewalks and accurate landscaping. Seven houses stood finished when filming began. The neighbourhood had views of the Sandia Mountains. Gilligan wished to avoid issues that happened with Breaking Bad. Fans had troubled the owners of Walter White's home. This time, building new homes solved those issues.


Downtown scenes required complex planning

Pluribus filming locations included downtown Albuquerque, too. The crew utilized the production facilities located there. They filmed a complex sequence across six city blocks. This sequence displayed how the virus spread through the population. The unit spent 12 hours shooting the scene. They needed up to seven takes to get everything right. A dress rehearsal helped them establish the premise. The scene required careful coordination of hundreds of shots.

One sequence involved a helicopter delivering a bulldozer. This happened in Carol's backyard during the initial episode. Such sequences would disturb actual neighborhoods.

Building their actual location gave the team freedom. They could film without worrying about complaints. The production impacted no real residents.


International locations

The Pluribus filming locations extended beyond the United States. The production unit moved to the Canary Islands in Spain. The islands provided settings for separate parts of the story. Sequences set in a Norwegian ice hotel were filmed there. Scenes supposedly set in Morocco also used these islands. The Canary Islands offer different landscapes. This made them accurate for different locations within the show.

Also See: What is the reason for the cryptic disclaimer at the end of Pluribus? Creator reveals the answer


Production choices reflected creative vision

Gilligan initially looked for other cities for Pluribus. He considered Los Angeles, Virginia, Chicago, and Miami. However, his connection to the Albuquerque crew influenced his decision.

He wished to work with the same team all over again. The local crew had become like family over the years, and keeping them working with him mattered a great deal. Production designer Denise Pizzini joined the production. Additionally, construction coordinator Steve Brown also came aboard and, together, brought Gilligan's vision to reality.

The series used the working title Wycaro 339 during production. This kept the project concealed from the media. The SAG-AFTRA strike resulted in a delay of several months in the filming process. Once the issue was resolved, production moved seamlessly.

The Pluribus filming locations required months of preparation. Building the neighborhood alone required several resources and a significant amount of time. Pluribus stands as another ambitious show from Vince Gilligan. The carefully chosen filming locations help tell Carol's eccentric story. Every site contributed something different to the whole production.

This show used diverse filming locations to create its surreal world. The show premieres soon on Apple TV for viewers to watch.

Also See: Pluribus: How Did Helen Die? Details Explored

Edited by Sroban Ghosh