Exploring Manusos in pluribus

Carol Starka (Rhea Seehorn) continues to struggle with a sense of isolation in the new Apple TV series, pluribus. It turns out she’s not the only one feeling this way…

In the fourth episode, a new character named Manusos appears. He’s the enigmatic 13th individual who seems to be immune to the pervasive joy that has taken hold of the world.

Manusos, portrayed by Carlos-Manuel Vesga, was first mentioned in the second episode. Zosia (Carolina Wydra) tells Carol about 11 others like her, adding, “There are 12 right now. This morning I learned about a guy in Paraguay.” Initially, Manusos didn’t pique Carol’s interest—he wasn’t among the five English speakers in the group. But after failing to connect with the five, she became curious upon hearing that Manusos was hesitant to engage with others in the wake of the world-altering incident, and she attempted to reach out.

So, who is Manusos in pluribus? And what should we know about Carlos Manuel Vesga, the actor behind this intriguing character? Here’s a bit of detail on Vesga and what makes Manusos stand out.

Who is Manusos in pluribus?

As Zosia reveals in Episode 3, Manusos hails from Paraguay and owns a self-storage facility. He’s described as someone who is “a little reluctant to make contact” with those affected by the extraterrestrial event. Though he only speaks Spanish, Carol encourages Zosia to reach out to him so they can bond over shared skepticism about their new reality. During a phone call attempt, Manusos abruptly hangs up, but on the second try, he responds with a fierce, “¡Deja me en paz, imbéciles!” (essentially, “Leave me alone, you fools!”). This encounter showcases the raw tension between them.

After this initial phone interaction, Manusos fades back into the background until Episode 4, where we finally see him onscreen. His introduction is intriguing, as he seems to be scanning radio frequencies, capturing data in a notebook, and waiting for any signs of life. His posture indicates a state of prolonged study and contemplation. In his cluttered office, which displays a mix of homey touches and signs of neglect, a warning sign about late payments hints at his day-to-day reality.

We also witness Manusos engaging in survival-like behavior; at one point, he inspects a garbage can, pulls out an empty food container, and inspects it as if he hasn’t eaten for ages.

In production discussions, Vesga noted that Manusos has experienced significant loss but seems determined not to lose anything more. Zosia mentions they only became aware of Manusos after 33 hours had passed post-event, making his character’s backstory all the more compelling. It will be fascinating to see how his experiences contrast with Carol’s and whether their paths will cross again.

Introducing Carlos Manuel Vesga

Manusos is brought to life by 49-year-old Colombian actor Carlos Manuel Vesga. With nearly 50 credits to his name across film and television—such as Amor Sincero and Pura Sangre—he has made a notable mark in the industry. Creator Vince Gilligan has praised Vesga’s talent, referring to him as both an extraordinary actor and a great human being. During filming in the Canary Islands, Vesga was often recognized and approached by fans eager for autographs.

If you want to keep up with Vesga, he’s active on Instagram, where he boasts a following of about 119,000. As more people discover pluribus, it seems likely that his fanbase will continue to grow, and viewers will be eager to see more of his captivating performance as Manusos.

The next episode of pluribus drops on Friday, and it’s sure to keep audiences hooked.