🔗 Share this article Award-Winning Creator Gilligan Himself Shares His Sci-Fi Influences Behind His New Show Pluribus After a long break away from the science fiction genre, the celebrated showrunner is staging a comeback to his roots. Launching his career on The Iconic X-Files Series, in which he penned three dozen installments, and even writing the script for the superhero comedy Hancock, Gilligan devoted recent years focused on the world of Breaking Bad Universe. This fall, via his latest Apple TV series Pluribus, he’s coming full circle toward the genre that kicked off his journey. A Mysterious Premise and Cryptic Teasers The storyline and concept for Pluribus remain closely guarded. Promotional clips and teasers are tantalizingly vague. For example, a brief scene shows a woman alone at work at night nonchalantly lifting pastries from a box marked “Feel free!” then tasting them before returning them carefully back in its place. Critics cannot reveal to say anything about the series’ explosive first episode, except that the narrative kicks off as today’s society changes dramatically. Gilligan’s Sci-Fi Recommendations Because details on the story or production could not be discussed, Gilligan fielded an innocuous question: What additional sci-fi shows or films ought viewers watch to get ready before Pluribus? “Each of the 1956 and 1978 adaptations from Invasion of the Body Snatchers; that's a good reference point,” he states. “The Twilight Zone, that's always my go-to. The Thing, John Carpenter's version. I like both versions, though I especially like the John Carpenter version.” A Love Letter for Sci-Fi Enthusiasts If you’re an admirer of science fiction or scary movies, you’ll likely identify the tales inspiring Pluribus. Its inspirations aren’t exactly understated — which is exactly the idea. Gilligan says his aim with this series was to play with sci-fi tropes. “My thought process involved of every sci-fi clichés and horror conventions I could incorporate into the series, and then turn each one upside down,” Gilligan says. “ That was what tickled me.” Put simply: Pluribus serves as a sci-fi show for genre lovers. Therefore, if you approach the show as a Breaking Bad devotee who’s never been much for sci-fi, it’s wise to complete some preparation beforehand. Gilligan has now offered the essential watchlist. Pluribus premieres November 7 on Apple TV+.