“Pluribus” Kicks off The Paley Center for Media’s PaleyFest LA 2026
The Paley Center for Media officially kicked off PaleyFest LA 2026 in Hollywood with a star-powered opening night spotlight on Apple TV+’s Pluribus, setting the tone for one of the industry’s most anticipated television events of the year.
Held at the iconic Dolby Theatre, the evening brought together an enthusiastic crowd of fans and industry insiders for a red carpet premiere, an exclusive screening, and a lively panel discussion featuring the show’s cast and creative team. Stars Rhea Seehorn, Karolina Wydra, Carlos-Manuel Vesga, and Samba Schutte were joined by executive producer and writer Gordon Smith and co-executive producer and writer Jenn Carroll. The conversation was moderated by fan-favorite actress and host Yvette Nicole Brown (“Community”).
Following the screening, the panel offered an inside look at the series, diving into character development, storytelling choices, and the creative vision behind Pluribus. One of the night’s standout moments came when Brown prompted the group to reflect on the idea of happiness—a theme that sparked thoughtful and often personal responses from the panelists.
Seehorn shared a grounded perspective, noting that “happiness isn’t a state you stay in” but something tied to growth and purpose. Wydra emphasized the importance of “stopping to smell the flowers, which brings you into the present moment.” Smith brought levity to the discussion, joking that happiness might simply be getting to sleep in a little longer—drawing laughs from the audience!
The cast and creatives also spoke warmly about their experience working together, particularly highlighting Seehorn’s leadership on set. Wydra calling her “a true girl’s girl… you have everyone’s back and it’s such a blessing,” adding that she makes it a point to greet everyone on set. Jenn Carroll echoed that sentiment saying that Seehorn “requested crew call-sheets so she could memorize everyone’s names” and advocated for sustainable hours, emphasizing that “we need everyone around us to do their best work.”
As the evening wrapped, the conversation turned toward what’s next for the series. While details remain under wraps, Smith and Carroll confirmed that work on Season 2 is already underway, teasing that the writers’ room is actively developing the next chapter with hopes to return to production before the end of the year.
Opening night set a high bar for this year’s festival, which continues to bring audiences face-to-face with the creators and stars behind today’s most talked-about television. With its signature blend of exclusive screenings and candid conversations, PaleyFest remains a cornerstone event celebrating the art of storytelling and the evolving landscape of television.
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