Award-Winning Creator Gilligan Shares the Science Fiction Inspirations For His New Show Pluribus
After an extended hiatus from the science fiction genre, the celebrated showrunner is making a comeback to where he began. Launching his career with The X-Files, in which he wrote three dozen installments, and also writing the script behind Will Smith’s film Hancock, Gilligan devoted recent years focused on the world of Breaking Bad Universe. This fall, with his latest streaming project Pluribus, he returns back home to sci-fi that launched his career.
A Mysterious Premise and Cryptic Trailers
The plot and concept for Pluribus remain closely guarded. Promotional clips and teasers have all been intentionally vague. In one, a short clip shows a female character by herself in an office after hours calmly taking donuts from a container marked “Feel free!” and licking them before placing the treats neatly back in its place. Reviewers aren’t allowed to say details about the series’ explosive first episode, beyond that the narrative kicks off as today’s society transforms dramatically.
Gilligan’s Science Fiction Watchlist
Since specifics about the plot or production were off-limits, the showrunner fielded a simple inquiry: Which other science fiction series or films should viewers watch to get ready for Pluribus?
“Both the original and the remake versions of Invasion of the Body Snatchers; that's a good reference point,” he explains. “Twilight Zone, that’s forever my go-to. The Thing, John Carpenter's film. I like both versions, but I particularly love the John Carpenter version.”
A Love Letter to Sci-Fi Enthusiasts
If you’re a fan of sci-fi or horror, you’ll likely identify the stories that influenced Pluribus. The show’s influences aren’t exactly subtle — which is exactly the idea. Gilligan notes his aim for this series was to riff on the genre itself.
“My thought process involved of all the science fiction trope and horror-movie trope I could throw into this show, and then turn all of those tropes onto their head,” he says. “ That’s what what tickled me.”
In other words: Pluribus is a science fiction series aimed at sci-fi fans. So if you’re coming the show being a Breaking Bad devotee who’s never been much for sci-fi, it’s wise to do a bit of homework beforehand. Gilligan has now offered the curriculum.
Pluribus debuts Nov. 7 on Apple TV.
