The next season of Pluribus might be two years away, but before then we have season 2 of Sugar to look forward to on Apple TV. Starring Colin Farrell as a Los Angeles-based private investigator who becomes aware of a widespread conspiracy seemingly taking place around him.
In a sense, Hollywood itself is Sugar’s equivalent of the hive mind in Pluribus, and Farrell’s John Sugar initially serves as Rhea Seehorn’s Carol Sturka’s equivalent in the series. Ultimately, though, the similarities between these genre-bending sci-fi series are more thematic and aesthetic than any direct parallels in their narratives.
Both draw on many of the same influences, from Don Siegel’s revolutionary 1956 sci-fi horror movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers, to seminal TV shows like The Twilight Zone and The Prisoner. With Sugar season 2 just around the corner, now’s the perfect time for fans of Pluribus who haven’t seen it yet to catch the show’s first eight episodes.
What Is Sugar About?
With much the same look and feel as Pluribus, Sugar follows a private investigator’s work for Hollywood’s rich and powerful. Its initial premise about an investigation into the apparent disappearance of a big-shot producer’s granddaughter feels like a nod in the direction of Roman Polanski’s classic 1974 neo-noir movie Chinatown.
Much like the work of Vince Gilligan, the series is also peppered with classic noir tropes. However, there’s far more to this surreal sci-fi drama than your typical murky detective story. It arguably has more in common with an episode of The Twilight Zone than it does with The Big Sleep.
Overall, Sugar is mysterious hidden gem that’s especially well-suited to Apple TV subscribers who enjoy the platform’s groundbreaking sci-fi releases. Those waiting patiently for Pluribus to return, in particular, might well find it to be the perfect replacement in the meantime.
Sugar Is The Closest Show To Pluribus On Apple TV
Stylistically, at least, there isn’t another show on Apple TV more like Pluribus than Sugar is. Both series take inspiration from pioneers of television sci-fi, and quickly outgrow more straightforward genre pigeonholes to pull their audiences into the depths of a mystery box.
By the end of Sugar season 1, it’s hard to tell exactly what’s happening, and that’s the whole point. Likewise, we’re waiting on tenterhooks for season 2 of Pluribus to clarify at least some of the questions we have about the “Joining”. In all likelihood, neither show will give us easy answers, which will make us want to keep watching even more.
Sugar Season 2 Can Be Even Better
Now that we’ve had our first glimpse of Sugar season 2, anticipation is already building for the next installment of this Colin Farrell sci-fi noir drama, which is set to arrive on Apple TV in June 2026. With the stunning twist revealed at the end of season 1, there’s even more scope for mind-boggling mystery in the show’s forthcoming episodes.
At the same time, Vince Gilligan fans can look forward to a familiar face joining the cast of Sugar in season 2. Better Call Saul’s Tony Dalton will feature in the season, although we should expect him to play a very different role from his legendary turn as Lalo Salamanca.
- Release Date
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April 5, 2024
- Showrunner
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Mark Protosevich
- Directors
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Fernando Meirelles
- Writers
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Mark Protosevich
