The Apple TV+ drama "Pluribus", which filmed pivotal scenes in and around Albuquerque, won six awards at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards Monday night — a win that local film industry officials say highlights New Mexico's growing profile as a destination for high-end television production.
Local locations featured on a national stage
Vince Gilligan, known for his earlier New Mexico productions "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul," wrote and directed the series that was nominated for 18 Emmys and took home 6 statuettes. Production used several New Mexico sites, including a temporary cul-de-sac built on the West Mesa, the Coronado Center and Vernon’s Speakeasy in Albuquerque, underscoring the state’s versatility for large-scale shoots.
"Pluribus" premiered in November 2025 and spans a nine-episode first season that follows the character Carol, portrayed by Rhea Seehorn, in a post-apocalyptic setting where most people are absorbed into a collective consciousness. The show’s success at the Emmys — and the visibility of locations used here — could have tangible effects on local crews, vendors and tourism tied to film production.
Major awards and milestones
The series earned awards including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Rhea Seehorn and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Gilligan for Episode 1, "We Is Us." The writing award marked Gilligan’s fifth Emmy win and added to his history of industry recognition, while Seehorn earned her first Primetime Emmy win after multiple nominations.
"[Gilligan gave me] the role of a lifetime ... for creating sets where we all get to collaborate and we are actually made to feel safe to take risks so we get better as artists," Seehorn said in her acceptance speech.
Gilligan also used his acceptance remarks to reflect on the show’s premise and the state of the world, calling a scenario in which "people get along" both "so sci‑fi" and unexpectedly relevant.
Numbers at a glance
| Series | Emmy Nominations | Emmy Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Pluribus | 18 | 6 |
| Breaking Bad (series total) | — | 16 |
Impact on New Mexico's production economy
While exact local economic figures tied to the "Pluribus" shoot were not released, the use of multiple Albuquerque-area locations points to the layered benefits of hosting a prestige television production: employment for local crew members, rentals and services for set construction, and potential tourism interest at recognizable spots. The presence of an acclaimed creator with a track record of New Mexico shoots also reinforces the state's reputation among decision-makers in Hollywood.
- Production sites: West Mesa temporary cul-de-sac, Coronado Center, Vernon’s Speakeasy.
- Series run: Nine episodes, premiered November 2025.
- Key awards: Outstanding Lead Actress (Rhea Seehorn), Outstanding Writing (Vince Gilligan).
Local reaction and next steps
Local film industry advocates say Emmy recognition for projects shot here can translate into future projects and long-term investment. State film offices and location managers often use high-profile wins in national awards shows to market New Mexico as a competitive and reliable production environment.
For Albuquerque and surrounding communities, the cultural boost is immediate: residents can point to familiar storefronts, parking lots and blocks onscreen, while businesses that supported the shoot gain exposure they can leverage to attract other productions.
As streaming platforms continue to seek distinctive locations and creators with proven track records, New Mexico officials and industry stakeholders will likely watch closely to see whether the momentum from "Pluribus" leads to more work for local crews and additional economic activity tied to entertainment production.
