Pluribus Creator Gilligan Considered Naked Extras, Sony Exec Disliked Breaking Bad

Vince Gilligan and Rhea Seehorn discuss the early days of Pluribus and Breaking Bad at SXSW panel.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 10:30pm

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Pluribus creator Vince Gilligan revealed that he once considered having the extras who make up the hive mind on his dystopian future show be naked, but ultimately decided against it. Gilligan also shared that a top Sony TV executive was initially not a fan of his acclaimed series Breaking Bad, which the studio ultimately produced.

Why it matters

Gilligan's comments provide a rare behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and network politics involved in developing high-profile TV shows like Pluribus and Breaking Bad, offering insights into the challenges and compromises that showrunners often face.

The details

During a SXSW panel discussion, Gilligan revealed that he had considered having the extras on Pluribus be naked, but decided against it, saying "We can't do that to all these extras. We can't all be naked." Seehorn added, laughing, "Can you imagine ... if I had to try to act with 300 naked people?" Gilligan also told the audience that Breaking Bad received a negative response from a former Sony Pictures TV executive, who called it "the single worst idea I've ever heard." However, the executive later acknowledged that his initial assessment was wrong. Gilligan also pitched Breaking Bad to HBO, but the meeting "didn't go so hot," with Gilligan describing it as "a toxic gamma radiation of disinterest" for the project.

  • Gilligan and Seehorn participated in the SXSW panel on March 14, 2026.
  • Gilligan gave an update on Pluribus season 2 at the Apple Press Day on February 7, 2026.

The players

Vince Gilligan

The creator of the dystopian future series Pluribus and the acclaimed drama Breaking Bad.

Rhea Seehorn

The star of Gilligan's series Pluribus.

Katherine Pope

The President of Sony Pictures Television, who moderated the SXSW panel.

Dave Porter

The composer for Pluribus, who participated in the SXSW panel.

Jennifer Bryan

The costume designer for Pluribus, who participated in the SXSW panel.

Trina Siopy

An executive producer for Pluribus, who participated in the SXSW panel.

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What they’re saying

“We talked about they didn't need to wear clothes at all, but we're not working for HBO. But then we thought, we can't do that to all these extras. We can't all be naked.”

— Vince Gilligan, Creator, Pluribus (Deadline)

“Can you imagine ... if I had to try to act with 300 naked people?”

— Rhea Seehorn, Star, Pluribus (Deadline)

“That's the single worst idea I've ever heard.”

— Former Sony Pictures TV executive (Deadline)

What’s next

Gilligan gave an update on Pluribus season 2 at the Apple Press Day on February 7, 2026, saying that scribes were 'plugging away' and that the series 'ain't gonna be The Pitt coming back every year.'

The takeaway

Gilligan's comments provide a rare glimpse into the creative process and network politics involved in developing high-profile TV shows, highlighting the challenges and compromises that showrunners often face in bringing their visions to the screen.