Viewers of the hit sci-fi series Pluribus were left delighted and surprised this week after identifying a secret cameo from the Breaking Bad universe in the show's season finale.
A Festive Finale Surprise
The ninth episode, titled 'La Chica o El Mundo', was released earlier than expected on Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December 2025. This gave fans of Vince Gilligan's new Apple TV+ thriller an early holiday treat. The series, which premiered in November, has quickly risen to become one of the streaming service's most popular offerings.
The finale followed Carol Sturka, played by Rhea Seehorn, as she confronted a terrifying truth about the hive mind's plans for her. Armed with this knowledge and a nuclear weapon, she returned home. Meanwhile, the character Manousos, portrayed by Carlos-Manuel Vesga, remained in Albuquerque dedicated to his radiophysics research.
The Hidden Voice Roles
The exciting surprise came during a phone conversation involving Manousos. Eagle-eared fans immediately recognised the distinctive voice on the other end of the line as belonging to Tony Dalton.
Dalton is famed for his portrayal of the charismatic and dangerous Lalo Salamanca in Better Call Saul, the critically acclaimed prequel to Breaking Bad. Although his involvement was not officially confirmed with a credit in the episode, the evidence was compelling for dedicated viewers.
This was not the only Better Call Saul connection. Earlier in the season, the voice on Carol's answering machine was provided by Patrick Fabian, who played Howard Hamlin in the same series. This double dose of nostalgia created a clever Easter egg for fans of Gilligan's previous work.
Fan Reaction Erupts Online
Social media platforms lit up with excitement as viewers shared their discovery. On Reddit, one user pointed out the connection, writing: "That person on the phone with him was Lalo Salamanca (Tony Dalton). Howard and Lalo back from their shared grave."
The conversation quickly spread to X (formerly Twitter), where another fan posted: "ok that HAS to be tony dalton on the phone right??? #pluribus." The certainty came from repeated viewings, with one commenter stating they were "99.9% sure" based on their ears and five rewatches of Better Call Saul.
The recognition was instant for many, with one succinct post reading: "TONY DALTON??? I'd know that 'hola' anywhere." This collective detective work by the fan community highlighted the passionate audience the show has cultivated.
With Pluribus officially renewed for a second season, speculation is now rife about whether Patrick Fabian and Tony Dalton might make on-screen appearances in future episodes. For now, the entire first season remains available to stream exclusively on Apple TV+.
