Rhea Seehorn Addresses Criticism of 'Pluribus' Character Carol Ahead of Season 2

The actress responds to audience complaints about her character's likability ahead of the show's return.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 11:56pm

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Rhea Seehorn, the star of the acclaimed Apple TV series 'Pluribus', directly addressed the biggest criticism of her character Carol Sturka during a panel at SXSW. Many viewers have found Carol to be an unlikable protagonist, despite the show's overall critical success. Seehorn acknowledged the audience feedback and discussed how the character's development will continue in the upcoming second season.

Why it matters

Pluribus has been a major hit for Apple TV, but the audience's mixed reaction to the lead character Carol has been a frequent topic of discussion. As the show prepares for its second season, Seehorn's comments provide insight into how the creative team may address this criticism and further develop the character.

The details

During the 'Albuquerque Aftermath: From Breaking Bad to Pluribus' panel at SXSW, an audience member suggested that Carol is an unlikable protagonist. In response, Seehorn acknowledged the criticism and said the creative team is aware of the audience feedback. She promised that Carol's character arc will continue to evolve in the second season, providing more opportunities for viewers to connect with her.

  • Pluribus premiered its first season in 2025.
  • The 'Albuquerque Aftermath' panel took place at SXSW in March 2026.
  • Pluribus is set to return for its second season later in 2026.

The players

Rhea Seehorn

The actress who portrays the lead character Carol Sturka in the Apple TV series Pluribus.

Pluribus

The acclaimed Apple TV series that has become the most-watched show in the platform's history, despite some audience criticism of the lead character.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

Pluribus is set to return for its second season later in 2026, where viewers will see how the creative team addresses the criticism of the lead character Carol.

The takeaway

Rhea Seehorn's acknowledgment of the audience feedback on her Pluribus character Carol shows that the show's creators are listening to viewers and plan to further develop the character in ways that may help improve her likability in the eyes of the audience.