Vince Gilligan Reveals the Global Scale of ‘Pluribus’
Vince Gilligan’s 20-Year Love Affair with Albuquerque: How "Pluribus" Found Its Home
Who Is Vince Gilligan and Why Does Albuquerque Matter?
Imagine you’re a filmmaker who discovers a magical backyard that can transform into anywhere in the world. That’s basically what happened to Vince Gilligan — the creator of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul — when he first started filming in Albuquerque, New Mexico (locals call it "ABQ") back in 2008.
Important Point: Gilligan has now shot three TV shows and a movie in Albuquerque over 20 years. He jokes that if he time-traveled back to tell his younger self this, his past self wouldn’t believe it!
The New Show: "Pluribus" — Sci-Fi with a Heart
Pluribus is Gilligan’s latest creation, streaming on Apple TV+. Here’s the elevator pitch:
- Star: Rhea Seehorn (who played Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul)
- Character: Carol Sturka — a grumpy, romance-novel author
- Twist: An alien virus turns most of humanity into a super-happy "hivemind" that wants to spread its joy across the galaxy
- Vibe: Think The Last of Us meets Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind — but with more desert landscapes
Why Albuquerque? The "Don’t Make It Harder" Philosophy
Gilligan could have set Pluribus anywhere. The story doesn’t require New Mexico. But he chose to lean into the location instead of faking it. Here’s why:
1. The "Mount Everest" Analogy
"If you’re gonna climb Mount Everest, it’s better not to do it with an anvil on your back."
Translation: Filmmaking is hard enough. Why add the extra burden of pretending Albuquerque is Chicago or Seattle? Just let it be itself.
2. The Secret Weapon: Christian Diaz de Bedoya
Meet the location manager who’s been finding fresh spots in a "medium-sized city" for two decades. His team keeps discovering new corners of ABQ that can double for:
- Jungles
- City streets
- Suburban homes
- Alien landscapes
3. A Well-Oiled Machine
After 20 years, the crew works like a family. They know:
- The best light at 4 PM in October
- Which diner makes the perfect prop pancakes
- How to shut down a street without angering the neighbors
Building Carol’s World: The House That Tells a Story
Production designer Denise Pizzini built Carol’s house twice — once for exteriors, once for interiors. This isn’t just a set; it’s a character in the show.
| House Element | What It Represents |
|---|---|
| Vibrant art & plants | Carol’s defiance against the desert (and her circumstances) |
| Cluttered, lived-in spaces | Her flummoxed, cantankerous personality |
| Hidden corners | Her sly, inventive survival instincts |
Important Point: By grounding the show in a real, specific place, the fantastical alien-virus story feels more believable. The texture of New Mexico — the colors, the light, the dust — becomes part of Carol’s DNA.
Going Global: First Passport Stamps for the Gilliganverse
For the first time ever, Gilligan’s team left the country! Pluribus filmed in:
- Spain
- Canary Islands
These locations handle the "world travel" montages — planes, cars, deadly jungles — and the chaotic virus-outbreak sequence in the pilot.
Gilligan’s take: "It was nice to learn that this film community… feels like a fellowship that stretches across oceans."
The "Montage Is French for Over Budget" Joke
Gilligan shares a classic line from his Breaking Bad days: UPM (Unit Production Manager) Stu Lyons used to say "Montage is French for over budget."
But for Pluribus, montages are essential — they show the global scale of the story without a single word of dialogue. Which brings us to…
Gilligan’s Secret Love: Pure Visual Storytelling
"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 this means for you as a viewer:
- Watch Carol’s face — not just her lines
- Notice how the desert light changes in her kitchen
- Pay attention to what isn’t said
This is cinema as a language — no translation needed.
What’s Next? Season 2 and Beyond
- Season 1: Now streaming on Apple TV+
- Season 2: Currently in production
- Gilligan’s apology: "Sorry for the long wait"
- His promise: "I have no intention of disappointing… very excited about the stories we’ve got coming up"
Quick Summary: The Big Takeaways
- Location as Character — Albuquerque isn’t just a backdrop; it shapes the story’s soul
- 20 Years = Superpowers — Deep local knowledge lets the crew pull off magic on a budget
- Real Beats Fake — Setting the story in ABQ (not doubling for elsewhere) adds authenticity
- Visuals > Dialogue — Gilligan trusts images to carry the emotional weight
- Global Family — The "fellowship" of filmmaking extends from New Mexico to Spain
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: Do I need to watch Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul to understand Pluribus?
A: Nope! Pluribus is a completely standalone story. But if you’ve seen Gilligan’s other work, you’ll spot his signature style — visual storytelling, moral complexity, and dark humor.
Q: Is Pluribus scary? It sounds like a zombie show.
A: It’s sci-fi thriller, not horror. The "hivemind" virus makes people aggressively happy — which is creepy in its own way! Think Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets The Good Place.
Q: Why does Gilligan keep filming in Albuquerque? Tax breaks?
A: Tax incentives helped at first, but now it’s about relationships and expertise. The crew knows every inch of the state. As Gilligan says: "Don’t make it harder for yourself than you have to."
Q: Will Rhea Seehorn win an Emmy for this?
A: She’s already nominated! Gilligan says: "I’m so happy for Rhea… all these Emmy nominations were just the cherry on top."
Q: When does Season 2 come out?
A: No official date yet — but Gilligan confirms they’re actively filming and he’s "very excited about the stories." Patience, grasshopper!
Final Thought: In a world of green screens and CGI cities, Vince Gilligan proves there’s still magic in real places, real light, and a crew that feels like family. Pluribus isn’t just a show set in Albuquerque — it’s a show that could only exist because of Albuquerque.