Award-Winning Creator Gilligan Shares the Science Fiction Inspirations For The New Show Pluribus
Following an extended hiatus from sci-fi storytelling, the celebrated showrunner is making a return to where he began. Starting out on The X-Files Series, in which he wrote three dozen installments, plus also crafting the screenplay for Will Smith’s film Hancock, Gilligan has spent recent years immersed in the world from Breaking Bad Universe. This fall, via his new Apple TV series Pluribus, he returns back home to sci-fi which launched his career.
A Secretive Premise and Vague Teasers
The plot and concept of Pluribus are top secret. The trailers and teasers have all been intentionally ambiguous. In one, a short clip depicts a female character by herself at work at night nonchalantly taking donuts out of a box marked “Help yourself!” then tasting them prior to placing the treats neatly into the box. Reviewers aren’t allowed to disclose details about the series’ thrilling first episode, beyond the fact the story kicks off when our modern world transforms in a significant way.
Gilligan’s Sci-Fi Watchlist
Because details about the story or development were off-limits, the showrunner fielded an innocuous inquiry: What other sci-fi shows or movies ought viewers watch to prepare before Pluribus?
“Both the original and the remake versions of Invasion of the Body Snatchers; that's a good touchstone,” Gilligan explains. “Twilight Zone, that's always my favorite. The Thing, the John Carpenter film. I like both versions, though I particularly love Carpenter’s take.”
A Love Letter to Sci-Fi Fans
If you’re an admirer of sci-fi or horror, you will probably recognize the stories that influenced Pluribus. The show’s influences are far from subtle — and that’s the point. The creator notes his goal with this series was to riff on the genre itself.
“My thought process involved of every sci-fi clichés and horror conventions I could throw into the series, before turn each one onto their head,” Gilligan adds. “ That’s what what tickled me.”
In other words: Pluribus is a science fiction series for sci-fi fans. Therefore, if you approach to it being a Breaking Bad superfan who’s never been into sci-fi, it’s wise to complete some preparation in advance. Gilligan just provided the curriculum.
Pluribus premieres Nov. 7 via Apple TV.
