The Mayor in ‘Pluribus’ Episode 4 Is Played by the Real Mayor of Albuquerque
Vince Gilligan has returned to Albuquerque once again, this time for Pluribus, his science-fiction series on Apple TV+. The show’s fourth episode includes an unusual detail that caught viewers off guard: the mayor who appears briefly on screen is played by Albuquerque’s actual mayor, Tim Keller.
The scene unfolds after Carol, played by Rhea Seehorn, arrives home to assess the damage from a grenade explosion. A group of hive-mind-controlled workers is already clearing her yard. As she scans the faces, she recognizes someone unexpected: the city’s mayor. The moment becomes even more striking once viewers learn that the man credited as “Mayor Tim” is indeed Keller himself.
A Real Mayor Appearing Within a Fictional Crisis
Keller plays a version of himself who has been absorbed into the series’ hive mind. His calm response to Carol, “Thank you for your vote,” adds an understated layer to the situation rather than turning it into a joke.
Carol’s recognition of the mayor in the episode demonstrates how thoroughly the hive mind has spread through the community. Public officials and everyday residents appear together without distinction, which reinforces the episode’s sense of unease. Keller’s presence supports the narrative.
The cameo stayed under the radar for many people until clips began circulating online, prompting replays of the scene with new awareness.
The episode aired while Keller was in the final stretch of a mayoral runoff. Days after the appearance, he won a third term, securing 58% of the vote. Although the cameo was not positioned as campaign messaging, the timing gave it a distinct real-world parallel.
Cameo Fits Gilligan’s Approach to Albuquerque
Image via Getty Images/DenisTangneyJr
Gilligan’s work has maintained a long and consistent connection to Albuquerque. Breaking Bad first established the city as a defining element of his storytelling, and Better Call Saul strengthened those ties.
By setting Pluribus in Albuquerque as well, Gilligan continues collaborating with local crews and maintaining the location as a creative anchor. Including the city’s real mayor aligns naturally with that history.
A Series Building Strong Early Momentum
Keller has not suggested any interest in acting beyond this single scene. His involvement works as a situational detail tied to the show’s setting. It’s not a promotional effort or the start of a new career path.
Pluribus, though, has received significant early critical praise, including a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score. Reviewers have highlighted the show’s intentional pacing and tightly controlled tension.
Occasional cameos appear throughout the series, like John Cena playing a hive-controlled version of himself. But the story does not rely on surprise appearances as a primary device.
The cameo adds a specific local touch without overstating its significance, illustrating how the show’s fictional world continues to overlap with the city that has shaped so much of Gilligan’s work.