Pluribus has shot to the top of a major streaming chart. The new Apple TV series, which was created by Breaking Bad’s Vince Gilligan, follows Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), who is one of just 12 people on Earth to be immune to a hive mind happiness virus that descends from outer space. The Pluribus cast also includes Karolina Wydra, Carlos Manuel Vesga, Samba Schutte, Peter Bergman, Miriam Shor, and Karan Soni.
After debuting on November 7 with its first two episodes, Pluribus has shot to No. 1 on Apple TV’s daily chart of the most-watched series on the platform in the United States. It usurped the popular drama series The Morning Show, which is at the tail end of the ongoing season 4.
Filling out the Top 5 on the chart are the Jason Clarke thriller The Last Frontier at No. 3, the Gary Oldman espionage series Slow Horses at No. 4, and the Emma Thompson mystery series Down Cemetery Road at No. 5. With the exception of Slow Horses, which concluded season 5 on October 29, every series in the Top 5 is a contemporary show in the middle of a new or debut season.
It remains to be seen if the new series becomes an enduring hit at the level of some of Apple TV+’s biggest series, such as Ted Lasso and Severance. However, the fact that it has topped the chart when all that is available is Pluribus episodes 1 and 2 could be a good sign.
Its overall viewership numbers could very well grow as more episodes are added. While existing viewers watch the new episode, other viewers may be catching up on the growing library of episodes, potentially allowing the series to remain at No. 1 for weeks to come.
Signs are looking good that the series could continue its current momentum. Pluribus reviews have been spectacular, earning the series a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. While audiences have been somewhat less enthusiastic than critics, the show still has a solidly Fresh score of 87% on the Popcornmeter.
This is superior to the audience scores for the latest seasons of both Slow Horses (84%) and The Morning Show (53%), as well as those of the debut seasons of The Last Frontier (57%) and Down Cemetery Road (61%). If the remaining seven episodes of Pluribus season 1 maintain this level of enthusiasm and viewership, it will more than justify Apple TV’s decision to order two seasons right off the bat.
Release Date
November 6, 2025
Network
Apple TV+
Writers
Ariel Levine
