Rhea Seehorn, the celebrated actress known for her role as Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul, is enjoying a monumental career shift. After years of being hailed as an underrated talent, she now fronts Apple TV's most-watched show, Pluribus, a critically adored series that has catapulted her to new heights. Yet, when we connect, her immediate concern is a distinctly British puzzle.
Crossword Conundrums and On-Screen Intensity
"You have to tell me how to crack the code," Seehorn implores with good-natured urgency. "I'm an avid crossword puzzler, but I cannot beat the Guardian crossword. I cannot crack it." This delightful frustration stands in stark contrast to her character in Pluribus, Carol Sturka, a grouchy loner forced to save the world.
In the series, created by Vince Gilligan, an alien virus has turned the global population into a peaceful, hive-minded collective. Seehorn's Carol is one of the few unaffected individuals, tasked with restoring individuality despite a dangerous catch: millions die whenever she loses her temper. The role is physically and emotionally gruelling, a challenge Seehorn embraces. "It has been the most challenging thing I've ever done, and the most rewarding," she says, noting the profound conversations it sparks with viewers.
A Supportive Call from Bob Odenkirk and Life on Set
The intensity of the role did not go unnoticed by her former co-star. Bob Odenkirk, her on-screen partner in Better Call Saul, called to check on her after watching early episodes. "It's so funny that he posed that question, because he called to check on me after he saw a couple of episodes," Seehorn reveals with a laugh. Odenkirk expressed concern over the long hours she must spend in demanding states, recalling their supportive living arrangement during Saul with co-star Patrick Fabian.
For Pluribus, which films in Albuquerque, Seehorn continued this communal tradition, moving in with the show's head of hair department, Trish Almeida. "This one took longer to shoot, and it was challenging," she admits, highlighting the isolation of portraying a character who must often suppress her emotions.
Navigating Online Discourse with 'Scaredy-Cat' Caution
Despite the show inspiring a fervent, Lost-level online obsession, Seehorn consciously avoids diving into fan theories and critiques. "I'm too much of a scaredy-cat to look online," she confesses. Her friends warn her never to scroll down on social media. She fears that one negative comment would send her retreating to her favourite therapeutic hobbies: Lego sets, jigsaw puzzles, and embroidery.
A significant part of the online debate questions why Carol doesn't simply submit to the virus's blissful control. Seehorn firmly disagrees with this perspective. "When I think about happiness and joy, it always comes down to surprise," she argues. In the world of Pluribus, she points out, there is no new art, no genuine laughter, and no crossword puzzles, because all answers are already known.
Looking Ahead to Season Two
The first season finale aired on Boxing Day, ending on a major cliffhanger that has left audiences desperate for more. While a second season is confirmed, Seehorn has no concrete timeline for its release. "They're in the writers' room right now," she says of Gilligan and his team, acknowledging the show's vast technical scale, which includes digitally erasing entire cities of people.
True to Gilligan's style of secrecy, Seehorn remains in the dark about her character's future. "I know the same as I did on Better Call Saul – one script at a time," she states. "I haven't a clue in the world where they're going." For now, the actress is savouring the success of a breakthrough role that has finally placed her front and centre, even if the Guardian crossword remains defiantly unsolved.
