Pluribus episode 6 features the wildest cameo I've seen in 2025, and nobody realized it was foreshadowed weeks ago

Pluribus episode 6 is out now on Apple TV – and, amid its various talking points, viewers have expressed shock and delight over what some have labeled the "cameo of the year".

Titled, 'HDP', the Apple TV Original's latest chapter features a completely unexpected appearance from a big-name star. And, if their cameo wasn't surprising enough, it turns out their scene-stealing role was foreshadowed weeks ago.

Full spoilers immediately follow for 'HDP'. Turn back now if you haven't seen it.

Hang on, is that John Cena in Pluribus episode 6?

Yep! About 19 minutes into Pluribus' latest entry, Carol is shown a video that offers an explanation about what a shocked Carol found in Pluribus episode 5's final scene. You can read more about that horrifying discovery in this Pluribus episode 6 semi-recap article.

Anyway, as the recording begins, none other than beloved wrestler-turned-actor John Cena suddenly appears on the screen. What follows is a near-three minute long monologue as Cena – who, like 99.99% of humanity, wasn't immune to the virus that caused The Joining – fills in Carol on some important details about the aforementioned discovery.

Unsurprisingly, Apple TV viewers have flocked to social media platforms, including X/Twitter, and others places like the ResetEra Forums and r/Pluribus, to offer their reactions to Cena's wild cameo.

"I love totally outa nowhere unexpected celebrity cameos", Redditor ialo00130 wrote, before adding: "This one had me baffled for a solid few seconds before the laughter set in". On ResetEra, user dphrygian said "the John Cena cameo was an incredible choice", while forum frequenter Dalek simply typed "Holy s**t this cameo".

Comment from r/pluribustv

Meanwhile, some people, who are also fans of Cena's most notable role as Peacemaker in the DC Universe (DCU) and now-defunct DC Extended Universe, had some fun tying his appearance in one of the best Apple TV shows to his role in said comic book franchises.

"Man, they got Peacemaker", ResetEra user CM_Ace wrote, while Redditor this_was_hard_to_do said, "someone needs to edit the [Peacemaker] season 2 intro right after that line" in response to jboosmeezy commenting on the actor saying "we're John Cena" as part of his opening gambit.

Funnily enough, Cena actually foreshadowed his appearance in the sci-fi mystery drama weeks earlier.

Taking to Instagram in late November, Cena uploaded an image of Rhea Seahorn's protagonist from its pilot episode. The still wasn't accompanied with a caption, which sparked numerous replies from his followers about the meaning behind said photograph. Well, now we have our answer.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Official Pluribus Podcast, showrunner Vince Gilligan also revealed how the cameo came about.

In short: Cena filmed it on a rare day off, knocked it out his multi-page monologue in his first take – Gilligan asked for two more, so he'd have more takes to choose from, though – and, before they parted ways, told Gilligan he couldn't wait to see the episode so Cena could understand what he'd just rambled about.

With Cena joining Better Call Saul star Patrick Fabian on the Pluribus cameo list, some are now wondering who'll be the next famous face to show up. Until now, I would've said someone from Breaking Bad but, after Cena's wild appearance, I'll take anyone at this point.

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