Apple TV+’s Sci-Fi Thriller ‘Pluribus’ Faces Major Streaming Setback Ahead of Season 2

Apple TV+’s best new sci-fi thriller is facing some serious struggles while fans wait for Season 2. Apple TV+ is arguably the go-to streamer for science fiction fans. Severance is one of the most talked about sci-fi showshttps://movieweb.com/severance-expansion-plan-worrying/ around, with its second season revitalizing the lost art of water-cooler talk. Meanwhile, Rebecca Ferguson’s Silo had audiences engrossed in its post-apocalyptic mystery across its two seasons (with a third on the way). In 2025, Apple TV+ dropped its most anticipated sci-fi thriller yet, helmed by none other than Breaking Bad creator, Vince Gilligan. The show was a critical and ratings hit when it first dropped, but the proverbial hive mind has weakened as the months have gone on, and the show’s second season could be in trouble.

The Apple TV+ streaming chart is a competitive one. The streaming platform doesn’t have anywhere near as much content as its competitors. As a result, it’s easy to tell which shows are fan favorites, and which are falling by the wayside. When Pluribus debuted on the platform last year, it immediately shot to the top of the platform’s chart. However, its popularity has slowly been in decline since. With Season 2 coming up, questions about the fandom’s longevity could be called into question.

At the time of writing, Pluribus is 10th on Apple TV+’s TV streaming chart. ‘But it’s still in the Top 10,’ you might be thinking, and you’d be right. But Severance is sixth on the charts, and its latest season came out months before Pluribus debuted. Apple also has some big releases coming soon, like the new season of Your Friends & Neighbors, that could knock Pluribus out of the streaming charts altogether.

‘Pluribus’ Season 2 Can Cement the Series as a Modern Sci-Fi Classic

Pluribus certainly isn’t down and out for the count. But Season 2 needs to outperform its first season (much like Severance did) in order to cement its place as a modern sci-fi classic. Vince Gilligan’s new series has everything else already going for it. Rhea Seehorn delivers a phenomenal performance as Carol, one of the last people left on Earth. Just like with Breaking Bad, the writing is absolutely phenomenal, and the show perfectly balances its sci-fi thriller/dark comedy tones.

Critics certainly noticed, bestowing Pluribus with countless 5-star reviews. The series holds a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes rating of 98%. If the series can maintain that level of quality in its upcoming second season, prepare for your friends and families to never stop talking about Pluribus. The series has already been renewed for a second season. But, things behind-the-scenes aren’t going as smoothly as the hive mind would have hoped.

‘Pluribus’ Season 2 Has Hit a Major Hurdle

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During a recent interview with Polygon, Vince Gilligan shared an update on the show’s second season. However, after writing such a strong first season, Gilligan is struggling to put pen to paper for Season 2, saying, “It is not going quite as fast as I would hope, but we’re hoping there’s lots more excitement and twists and turns.”