Apple TV+ has carved out a reputation as the go-to destination for thought-provoking sci-fi, but fans of one of its standout series will need to practice patience. Pluribus, the ambitious alien-hive-mind drama from Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul), is taking its sweet time returning for a second season—and the latest update suggests we won't see it until at least 2028.
In a recent interview with Variety, Apple TV+ programming chief Matt Cherniss delivered a sobering update on the show's progress. While early drafts of Season 2 scripts are now being submitted, Cherniss warned that the series is unlikely to return during the next awards cycle. “I think that’s going to be tough too,” he said. “Vince is really ambitious with Season 2, and [he's] really taking time to make sure that the show lives up to everyone’s expectations. It too is a very complicated show when it comes to executing and shooting, so I think that that would be tough for us to fit into that next cycle.”
When pressed on whether a 2028 release was realistic, Cherniss declined to commit, stating simply, “I don’t have a date for you yet on that one.” The comments echo those of series star Rhea Seehorn, who recently admitted she hasn't seen any Season 2 scripts. “I am at the stage of dying to read scripts,” Seehorn said. “I don’t have anything, but I know they’re so hard at work. I haven’t even dropped by the office for fear of disturbing them.”
Seehorn emphasized that the writing team is determined to maintain the high bar set by the first season. “There is every intention to get us started as fast as we can. I know that that’s so important to the whole writing staff, but it’s also important to them to maintain the level of writing and production that they’ve done in the past and to reward the intelligence of our audience.”
For those unfamiliar, Pluribus follows Carol (Seehorn), an author who is immune to an extraterrestrial virus that has transformed most of humanity into a collective hive mind known as the Others. The series also stars Karolina Wydra (Sneaky Pete), Carlos-Manuel Vesga (The Marked Heart), Miriam Shor (Younger), and Samba Schutte (Our Flag Means Death).
While the wait may be frustrating, Gilligan's track record suggests the delay could be worth it. The creator is known for meticulous storytelling, and Pluribus Season 1 was praised for its blend of psychological depth and sci-fi spectacle. Apple TV+ has plenty of other sci-fi offerings to tide viewers over, including the hit Anya Taylor-Joy vehicle The Gorge and the climate anthology Extrapolations.
For now, fans of Pluribus will have to settle for rewatching Season 1 and hoping that Gilligan's perfectionism pays off. As Cherniss put it, “We’re starting to see early drafts, and everyone’s moving at a good pace. So excited to see that one come back.”
