For the last few years, the crown jewel of Apple TV+ has been the mind-bending workplace thriller Severance. Before that, it was the Jason Sudeikis-led hit Ted Lasso that held that throne. Since Severance moved into the top spot at Apple TV+, setting the standard for streaming success on the platform, the show seemed poised to hold onto pole position. However, that reign has officially ended in record-breaking fashion. In an impressive development that highlights the streamer’s excellence in the television landscape, the new series Pluribus has just hit a historic milestone. Even more stunning is the fact that it did so after just seven episodes.
Dethroning ‘Severance’: Inside the 7-Episode Record Run by ‘Pluribus’
Perhaps the writing was on the wall following an explosive debut for Pluribus. But the time it took for the hit Apple TV+ series to become the streaming platform’s new top dog would have been hard for anyone to guess. As Deadline revealed in November, Pluribus broke the record for the biggest global drama series launch across Apple TV territories, a mark previously held by—you guessed it, Severance.
Now, the series from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan upped the stakes once again. As Apple TV revealed on X, Pluribus became the most-watched series in the platform’s history. The news came on the same day that episode seven of Season 1 was released, Dec. 12.
It’s official, Carol.#Pluribus — Now Streaming pic.twitter.com/a7h3cfdIoq
— Apple TV (@AppleTV) December 12, 2025
Pluribus managed to achieve in mere weeks what previous hits had taken years to accomplish. With two episodes remaining in its debut season, the series starring Rhea Seehorn as Carol has cemented itself as a force to be reckoned with, not only on Apple TV but amongst shows across all streaming platforms.
Here’s a rundown of the Pluribus cast:
- Rhea Seehorn: Carol Sturka
- Karolina Wydra: Zosia
- Carlos-Manuel Vesga: Manousos Oviedo
- Miriam Shor: Helen L. Umstead
- Samba Schutte: Koumba Diabaté
How ‘Pluribus’ Is Becoming the Biggest Show in Streaming
It’s been quite the run for Apple TV, on both the television series and movie front. Not only did Pluribus become the most-watched show in the platform’s history, but it also happened on the same day that Brad Pitt‘s F1: The Movie debuted atop Apple TV’s movie rankings.
If the feat of accomplishing it in only seven episodes isn’t impressive enough, the competition mentioned above, which it surpassed, should raise eyebrows. Even beyond Severance and Ted Lasso, Apple TV+ has put out hits like The Morning Show and Slow Horses. Pluribus also flew past another new hit series, Seth Rogen’s The Studio, which hauled in 13 Emmy Awards in 2025.
Pluribus’ torrid Season 1 run is highlighted by immense praise from critics on sites such as Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. The show boasts a stellar 98 percent critics’ rating on the former, earning a “Certified Fresh” label, along with a score of 87 on the latter while being dubbed as a “Metacritic Must-Watch.”
Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take long for Pluribus to be renewed for Season 2, which some have speculated would likely come at some point in mid-to-late 2027. When speaking with Variety previously, Gilligan said he envisioned Pluribus having four seasons, but advised taking it with a “grain of salt” and ultimately deferred to Seehorn.
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