Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Pluribus season 1, episodes 1 & 2!Pluribus star Karolina Wydra has unpacked whether her character, Zosia, is actually a villain as the post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama starts to find its footing. Zosia was introduced to the cast of Pluribus in episode 2, where she served as a liaison between Carol and the hive mind humanity has become. She’s friendly, but the protagonist antagonizes her throughout the episode.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Wydra explained whether Zosia could be considered a villain in Pluribus. She unpacked the opposing perspectives she has with Carol, with the hive mind pushing for collectivism while Carol is fighting for individuality. The actor says whether her character is evil or not is all a matter of perspective and belief:
Well, it’s interesting and very complex. If you ask Zosia, there’s a belief she lives by, and it’s that they have a biological imperative to spread the virus. She wants to have the “Old-Schoolers” come join them. Somebody might think that’s manipulative or villainous, but they really believe what they’re experiencing is worth experiencing. With Carol, Zosia already knows what it’s like to be her, but Carol doesn’t know what it’s like to be them. So the idea of Carol being a hero is based on her belief that fighting for individuality is more important. They both have two great points of view, and the perspective of who is the hero depends on how you are looking at it.
Series creator Vince Gilligan previously confirmed Carol is the hero of Pluribus‘ story, which would, in turn, make members of the hive mind the antagonists. However, as Wydra points out, the Joining is “a biological imperative” for those who are part of the collective, as they see the shared consciousness as inherently good for humanity.
For Carol, however, the entire process of humanity having a shared consciousness is horrifying. Nearly 1 billion people died during the Joining, including her girlfriend, Helen, giving her a personal vendetta against the hive mind. She also sees the wiping out of human individuality as a bad thing, even if it means borderline peace on Earth.
Zosia hasn’t done anything to directly harm Carol, though. Instead, the way they speak to each other is a battle of ideologies. The protagonist is constantly questioning whether the hive mind even counts as human anymore, considering everyone’s autonomy and free will was taken from them by force as it began to spread. To her, Zosia is a villain.
Pluribus still has seven episodes left to develop its hero-villain dynamic between Carol and Zosia. In particular, the show still needs more time to explore how the hive mind operates and what it means for the thirteen people who are immune to the virus. This also means more engagement with the ideological notions that defined the two-episode premiere.
With Wydra’s nuanced approach in mind, it seems like Pluribus will still offer some sympathy to her and the collective, even if Carol is the protagonist. Although there’s no telling how the series will develop moving forward, the show will no doubt continue to explore how the clashing ideologies make up the beginning of the grand, global adventure about to unfold.
New episodes of Pluribus arrive Fridays on Apple TV+.
- Release Date
-
November 6, 2025
- Network
-
Apple TV
- Directors
-
Adam Bernstein, Zetna Fuentes, Melissa Bernstein
- Writers
-
Ariel Levine
