In the science fiction series by Vince Gilligan For manyA world-changing event leaves “the unhappiest man on Earth” even more frustrated and alone than she was before, and her attempts to take it all back simply make her even more isolated. However, in contrast to her rage and stubbornness, Gilligan and his writers offer a character who thrives in the new world order. turning it into a wish fulfillment fantasy.
For many In the sixth episode, “HDP”, the series' protagonist Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn) once again meets the gracious hedonistic gentleman Kumba Diabate (Our flag means death's Samba Schutte), which provides her with important new information. Polygon spoke with Schutte for a spoiler-free look at his biggest scene from “DPN,” a James Bond fantasy that was a dream come true for both the character and the actor playing him. But we also had a separate, spoiler-filled conversation with Schutte about Mr. Diabate's secret backstory, the important choices he makes in “DPN,” and the secret of his relationship with Carol.
[Ed. note: Significant spoilers ahead for Pluribus episode 6.]
IN For manyMost of humanity has been infected by an alien virus that has united them into a blissful, pacifist hivemind. There are only about a dozen seemingly invulnerable “Originals” left on the planet, but so far Carol's attempts to rally her fellow Originals against the Joiners have been met with only amazement, contempt, or, in Diabate's case, mild dissent.
In “DPN”, Carol travels to Las Vegas to find Diabate and provide what she believes is definitive proof that the Joiners are terrible monsters. they ate processed human corpses!!! He reluctantly admits that the other Originals already know about this bomb, that they are not bothered by it, and that they are all discussing it in twice-weekly Zoom meetings, from which they have decided to exclude Carol.
On top of that, Diabate tells her that the Joined now have a way to incorporate the Originals into the hivemind, but he personally has decided against it for now. We discussed this decision and much more about Diabate with actor Samba Schutte.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Polygon: The revelation that Diabate doesn't want to join the hivemind isn't surprising, but it contrasts with how most of the Originals seem to feel. Where do you think this choice came from? Is there more to this than just the love of the fantasies he brings to life?
Samba Schutte: I think it's interesting because this whole show is about how you deal with change. Some people deny it, like Lakshmi. Some people want to change, like Kusimayu, a Peruvian girl who just wants to become one of them. Carol wants to reverse this scientifically. Manousos wants to reverse this by killing them all. And Diabate wants to take advantage of these changes by saving the world from hunger.
I think there's a part of him that is a humanitarian, or that he feels like he's a representative of humanity in some way, and not just because he flies Air Force One. I think he understands both sides of the coin – the Others' point of view and why they eat people, as well as Carol's point of view. So he plays the mediator. But I think he loves his new life too much to sacrifice it. Understandably, he was like, “It’s nice of you guys to ask, but no thanks.” Like Carol, he values his individuality. He values being himself and loves to learn and embrace it. He doesn't want to lose his free will, he doesn't want to give up the power, the control that he has.
Diabate shows Carol kindness, which I think is a useful trope for viewers who may often be annoyed by some of her actions, but may also want another person to take care of her. You said that you discussed his past with Vince Gilligan and that he grew up poor and deprived. Where do you think his source of kindness comes from?
If you notice in the second episode when they're on Air Force One, there's a very rational side to him. He often comes up with rational counterarguments to Carol's point of view. In the second episode, it's like, “Look, isn't this the world we all wanted, in some way? There's no racism, there's no discrimination.” He is very weighty in his arguments. Which, by the way, drives Carol crazy. I remember acting with Rhea and her acting notes in the script were just “GAAAAH!” in every scene she does with me. [Laughs]
I love that dynamic between the two of us where I'm like, “Yes, I hear you, but at the same time, I don't.” What bad.” So there's a very rational side to him, and there's a part of him that sees himself in her. I think there's a side of him that doesn't like being alone, just like Carol. There's a side of him that doesn't want to be alone. Hopefully the people who judged him in episode two will see that there's a very human side to him. He wants to be Carol's ally. He doesn't want her to be alone. He understands her loneliness. He sees that and really wants to help her deal with this new one. peace.
What kind of backstory did you establish for him, with or without Vince?
What gave me a lot of information was just an accident. When I auditioned it was easy. dummy parties. Then they called him Mr. Kumba and I was like, “Mr. Kumba? In Mauritania, Kumba is a feminine name.” But I auditioned, and when I got the part, I said to Vince, “I really liked that you called him Mr. Kumba, because in my culture, the only way a man takes a woman’s name is if his mother died during childbirth.” It gave me a lot of insight into who this guy is.” If you notice, he doesn't have any family members like the other Originals. He surrounds himself with supermodels. So I think he came from a place where he had no family around him, no real people that he cared about.
Vince is like: [squeaky embarrassed voice] “Oh, I had no idea!” I was like, “No, just accept the compliment!” He was like, “Okay, great!” I love that about Vince. We kept that name because I thought it really communicated who this guy was: he didn't have a mother figure, he probably didn't have any close family growing up. So of course, now that he has this candy store, his childhood dream, he will go there and try to taste everything, because finally he can. So it was a beautiful accident that worked out beautifully.
How is work progressing? For many different from working on Our flag means death?
Our flag it was just a wonderful experience. I mean, work with Thai [Waititi] and Rice [Darby] And [show creator David Jenkins] and play pirate and be all dirty and not care what you look like [Laughs] such a dream has come true. Nose For many “I’ve been a big fan of Vince for a long time.” To come in and be accepted as part of the family – these people have been working together for over 20 years and you feel it when you're on set. To be in a place where these people have so much experience working together but are willing to collaborate, that comes from Vince. Rhea, when she called me to welcome me to the show, she wanted to rehearse with me, she was very welcoming. I've never felt so embraced on set.
And there was no hierarchy. Everyone was very responsive. And you see how it helps everyone contribute in every aspect, in every department. And I play a character who is 100 percent the opposite of Roach from Our flag. Diabate is dressed to the nines, and I get to pick out all these amazing watches and jewelry, wear Super Bowl rings, fly on Air Force One, just play a character who is so rich in her wealth and so effervescent and charming. It's such a funny thing.
And being able to do him from Mauritania was such a gift from Vince, to play someone from where I'm actually from. I have yet to see a character from Mauritania on an American TV show. So to be able to embrace that and refer to that, from the food that I'm served to the names that we say here and there, it was just such a beautiful experience.
For many Episodes 1–6 are now streaming on Apple TV. New episodes are released on Fridays.
