Vince Gilligan Reveals Why ‘Pluribus’ Went Global
Vince Gilligan’s "Pluribus": How 20 Years in New Mexico Built a Sci-Fi Masterpiece
TL;DR: The creator of Breaking Bad talks about his new Apple TV+ show Pluribus, why he keeps filming in Albuquerque, and how a trusted team makes impossible TV possible.
The Time-Travel Joke That Wasn’t a Joke
Imagine you hop in a time machine, zoom back to 2005, and tell a younger Vince Gilligan: "Hey, you’re going to create ‘Breaking Bad,’ a spin-off called ‘Better Call Saul,’ a movie, AND a brand-new sci-fi show—all filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico."
He wouldn’t believe you. In fact, he’d probably think you were crazy.
Important Point
Vince Gilligan is the mastermind behind Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, El Camino, and now Pluribus. He’s spent 20 years filming in the same city: Albuquerque, New Mexico (ABQ).
Why Albuquerque? The "Secret Sauce" Behind the Scenes
You might wonder: Why keep filming in the same mid-sized city for two decades?
The Location Wizard: Christian Diaz de Bedoya
Meet Christian Diaz de Bedoya, the location manager. Think of him as a treasure hunter—but instead of gold, he finds perfect filming spots.
- He and his team have spent 20 years scouting ABQ
- They keep discovering new places that look like totally different worlds
- One street can double for a suburban neighborhood, a desert highway, or even a jungle path (with a little movie magic)
Fun Fact: Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul HAD to be set in ABQ. But Pluribus? The story could’ve taken place anywhere. Gilligan chose to keep it in ABQ anyway.
The "Mount Everest" Philosophy: Don’t Make It Harder Than It Needs to Be
Gilligan has a great analogy:
"If you’re gonna climb Mount Everest, it’s better not to do it with an anvil on your back."
Translation: Filming a TV show is already incredibly hard (that’s Mount Everest). Pretending ABQ is somewhere else when it’s clearly ABQ? That’s the anvil.
Why Setting the Story IN Albuquerque Helps
| Benefit | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Crew Efficiency | The same trusted team works together like a well-oiled machine |
| Visual Texture | The unique NM light, colors, and landscape become part of the show’s DNA |
| Character Depth | Carol’s house (built TWICE—inside and out by production designer Denise Pizzini) reflects her personality: prickly, resilient, blooming in the desert |
| Budget Smarts | No need to fake locations or ship crews elsewhere for "home base" scenes |
Carol Sturka: A Heroine Shaped by the Desert
Rhea Seehorn plays Carol Sturka—a "prickly romantasy author" who’s:
- Flummoxed (constantly confused/overwhelmed)
- Cantankerous (grumpy, stubborn)
- Self-loathing
- But also: Dogged, sly, and startlingly inventive
Sound familiar? She’s blooming in the desert—just like the vibrant art and plants in her ABQ home that defy the harsh landscape.
Behind the Scenes: Production designer Denise Pizzini built Carol’s house nearly twice—once for interiors (on a soundstage), once for exteriors (a real house in ABQ). This lets directors capture every angle, every shadow, every moment of Carol’s isolation and resilience.
Going Global: When ABQ Isn’t Enough
Pluribus isn’t stuck in New Mexico. The story spans the entire planet—and so did the production.
First International Shoot for Gilligan!
| Location | What They Filmed |
|---|---|
| Spain | Urban chaos, international travel montages |
| Canary Islands | Jungle sequences, "Last of Us"-level mayhem |
Gilligan’s Takeaway: "This film community… feels like a fellowship that stretches across oceans."
The same collaborative spirit that works in ABQ? It works in Madrid and Tenerife too.
Montages: The "French for Over Budget" That’s Worth Every Penny
Stu Lyons (UPM on Breaking Bad) used to joke: "Montage is French for over budget."
But Gilligan loves montages. Why?
Cinema = Showing, Not Just Telling
"Some of my proudest moments are whole scenes, page after page going by, without a word of dialog in it. To me, that’s cinema."
What montages do in Pluribus:
- Show global scale — planes, cars, jungles, viruses spreading
- Reveal character thoughts — without a single line of dialogue
- Build mystery — silence pulls you in deeper than exposition ever could
- Deliver "process porn" — watching someone do something is inherently satisfying
The Dream Team: 20 Years of Trust
This isn’t just about locations. It’s about people.
- Writers who’ve been with Gilligan since Breaking Bad
- Directors who speak the same visual language
- Crew members who anticipate each other’s moves
- Rhea Seehorn — Emmy-nominated, deeply trusted, perfectly cast
Gilligan on Emmy Nods: "All these Emmy nominations, they were just the cherry on top. And I’m so happy for Rhea."
What’s Next? Season 2 Is Coming
- Season 1: Streaming now on Apple TV+
- Season 2: Currently in production
- Gilligan’s Promise: "I have no intention of [disappointing]… we’re so excited about the stories we’ve got coming up."
The wait might be long, but if 20 years of ABQ filmmaking taught us anything—good things take time.
Summary: The Big Picture
| Key Idea | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Stick with what works | 20 years in ABQ = unmatched crew, locations, efficiency |
| Set it where you shoot it | No "anvil on your back"—authenticity > pretending |
| Build your world physically | Carol’s house (built twice) grounds a high-concept sci-fi story |
| Trust your fellowship | From ABQ to Canary Islands, the same collaborative spirit travels |
| Cinema is visual | Montages without dialogue = pure storytelling power |
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
What is Pluribus about?
A: A prickly author (Rhea Seehorn) survives an alien virus that turns most of humanity into a chipper, happiness-spreading hivemind. It’s sci-fi with a deeply human, character-driven core.
Do I need to watch Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul first?
A: Nope! Pluribus stands completely on its own. But if you love Gilligan’s style—visual storytelling, complex characters, moral gray areas—you’ll feel right at home.
Where can I watch it?
A: Season 1 is on Apple TV+ right now.
Why does Gilligan keep filming in Albuquerque?
A: Three reasons: (1) Incredible location variety thanks to 20 years of scouting, (2) A crew that works like family, (3) The unique New Mexico light/landscape becomes a character itself.
When does Season 2 come out?
A: No official date yet, but it’s in production. Gilligan says: "Sorry for the long wait, but we’re so excited about the stories."
Final Thought: Great TV isn’t just about big ideas—it’s about trust, place, and the patience to build both. Vince Gilligan has 20 years of proof.