In Apple TV+'s sci-fi series Pluribus, the relationship between Carol (Rhea Seehorn) and Zosia (Karolina Wydra) is electric from the start. By Episode 9, their globe-trotting adventure in a luxurious ski lodge feels like a dream come true for Carol—until the truth shatters the illusion. Zosia isn't just a perfect partner; she's The Joined, and her mission is far from romantic. As the season finale reveals, The Joined will stop at nothing to bring Carol into their collective, even without her consent.
During a recent Collider Ladies Night interview, Wydra delved into the complexities of playing Zosia, a character who genuinely believes that forcing Carol to Join is an act of love. "We are putting our will on her because we think we know better," Wydra explained, highlighting the terrifying nature of a villain who is convinced they're saving you.
The Terrifying Logic of The Joined
Wydra emphasized that to play Zosia authentically, she had to fully embrace The Joined's perspective. "For me, I had to build The Joining incredibly strong because it is everything to them, and they do believe," she said. "They are quite an ultimate villain, in a sense, because anybody who thinks they know better than what's best for you is terrifying." This conviction makes Zosia's final conversation with Carol—where she reveals they can extract Carol's stem cells from her frozen eggs without her permission—all the more chilling.
The scene, directed by Gordon Smith and written by creator Vince Gilligan, was a playground for Wydra and Seehorn. "Rhea and I would talk about how grateful we were that we got an opportunity to play," Wydra recalled. "The last scene, we played it so many different ways. We got the opportunity to just layer it and layer it and layer it."
Believing in the Mission
Wydra's approach to Zosia mirrors her work on other morally complex characters, like Violet in True Blood. "Every villain believes in their cause. They believe what they're doing is actually saving humanity," she said. For Zosia, the Joining is a biological imperative, a gift she insists Carol will eventually appreciate. "Zosia truly believes that this is gonna save her. That once she experiences this, she's gonna understand how important and vital it is," Wydra explained.
This conviction creates a fascinating dynamic for viewers. Wydra noted that many fans start the season distrusting Zosia but gradually find themselves questioning their own feelings. "It is wild when I hear people say how they were not rooting for Zosia, but then eventually they start to question and then go, 'Huh. Is it that bad? Would it be that bad to Join?'" she said. "They start to actually go on the ride with her."
For those who haven't yet experienced Pluribus, the series is a standout in Apple TV+'s growing library of psychological thrillers. If you're a fan of shows like Surface or Silo, Pluribus offers a similarly gripping blend of sci-fi and emotional depth.
Wydra's full Collider Ladies Night interview, available in the video above, includes her incredible story of how she landed the role and more insights into her performance. For now, one thing is clear: Zosia may be a villain, but she's one you can't help but understand.
