How Pluribus’s Samba Schutte Keeps Koumba From Being a Hedonistic Creep

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Spoilers ahead for “HDP,” episode six of Pluribus.

It’s good to see someone finding a silver lining. Pluribus, Vince Gilligan’s ambitious science fiction series, is as much about exploring big ideas as it is about the story of a deeply unhappy writer. One way the show tackles these ideas is by focusing on the few people who didn’t change during the Joining, and how they’re dealing with the new reality. Our main character, Carol (Rhea Seehorn), is determined to restore things to how they were and end the global peace. Laxmi (Menik Gooneratne), who doesn’t trust Carol, seems to be coping by simply avoiding the larger issues, as she still has a connection to her son.

Koumba Diabaté is a charming and stylish man from Mauritania who chooses to enjoy life even as the world ends. We first see him in the episode “Pirate Lady,” where he’s turned Air Force One into a luxury yacht, and Carol attempts—unsuccessfully—to recruit the last of humanity to her side. He appears again this week in “HDP,” now living in Las Vegas and continuing to live out his dreams, including dressing like James Bond from Casino Royale and forming relationships with people who have been absorbed into the Joining.

Koumba is a complex character, and it’s easy to misinterpret his behavior in the post-apocalyptic world of Pluribus. His relationships have raised questions about consent, but Samba Schutte, the actor who plays him, portrays Koumba as a kind and innocent person who simply found himself in a fortunate situation. This ambiguity is intentional. Schutte told Vulture they focused heavily on capturing the right tone, emphasizing Koumba’s sense of wonder to ensure his sweetness shines through.

I found out about getting cast in a pretty interesting way. My son was born on January 10th, and the very same day, I learned that Our Flag Means Death had been canceled – I was really disappointed. Then, exactly a month later, I got an audition for a new project, but it was just listed as “Untitled Vince Gilligan Project.” I was so excited because I’m a big fan of his work, but they kept everything very secretive. I auditioned with a scene where I played a music producer trying to poach a client, and I honestly had no idea what the show was about. After that, I didn’t hear anything for five months, and I started to think I hadn’t gotten the part. But then I got a callback, and eventually the job! Vince Gilligan himself even called to tell me I got it. He explained that it took a long time to find someone who could play the character as genuinely sweet, and not creepy or sleazy, and he said my awkwardness was perfect for the role. It was a really nice compliment!

I was really happy Vince called to welcome me to the show and that he was specifically interested in my character being from my home country, Mauritania. It was funny because in the initial scene, the character was named Mr. Koumba, which is traditionally a woman’s name in my culture – a man would only be given that name if his mother died during childbirth. I thought it was a brilliant detail! When I told Vince, he was surprised and loved it, and we decided to keep it. Originally, Koumba wasn’t supposed to be Mauritanian; Vince just liked the name. That early scene, where I played a music producer, ended up being the one where Mr. Koumba talks to Carol about taking Zosia with him.

So, when Vince called with the good news about the job, he walked me through the details and said we’d be filming in Las Vegas in a week for my first scene. I was completely surprised!

It’s a delicate balance portraying Koumba without making him seem exploitative, especially considering he’s essentially living out his desires after the world has ended. I had extensive conversations with Vince about defining the character. We spent a lot of time figuring out how to make his behavior understandable – it’s hard to justify someone enjoying a life of luxury on Air Force One with supermodels. Consent was a major topic, particularly when considering his relationships with the Others. Vince clarified that Koumba didn’t come from wealth or a happy background and had no family. Interestingly, he and Carol are the only original humans left without any remaining loved ones, giving them a shared connection. Koumba has experienced discrimination and racism throughout his life, so now that the world has changed and people are showering him with affection and fulfilling his desires, it’s natural he would embrace it. He’s more like a child discovering endless treats than someone intentionally taking advantage of the situation.

While on the plane, he was playfully referencing the movie Air Force One, imagining himself as Harrison Ford or James Bond. It’s like he’s finally getting to live out childhood fantasies. Unlike Carol, he’s fully embraced this strange new world and even sees himself as a sort of ambassador for humanity, using his diplomatic skills. What’s surprising is that despite his extravagant behavior, he’s actually very logical. He often presents strong arguments that frustrate Carol. He understands all sides of the situation – he doesn’t necessarily agree with the Others, but he can see their reasoning for needing to consume humans to prevent mass starvation. He also understands Carol, even if he doesn’t approve of her approach. Ultimately, he’s trying to find a compromise and adapt to this new reality. The show explores how different people cope with change; Laxmi is in denial, Kusimayu wants to join the Others, Carol seeks a scientific solution, Manousos wants to destroy them, and Mr. Koumba simply wants to survive and find a way to live in this altered world.

You brought up the topic of consent earlier – can you elaborate on that? It was a recurring theme throughout the show. For example, there’s a scene where a character questions the implications of their actions on others, asking if a single kiss affects everyone. Another moment highlights the idea that even though the characters share memories and thoughts, they still maintain their individual identities. Koumba, in particular, recognizes this – he learns and uses their individual names, like Zosia and John Cena, showing he sees them as separate people.

This really frustrates Carol, understandably. She even wrongly accuses him of predatory behavior early in the season, which deeply upsets him. That’s why he seeks reassurance from Zosia, asking if he’s overstepped any boundaries. She tells him everything is okay, emphasizing their focus on love and connection. He’s relieved to hear that, because he genuinely doesn’t want to be seen as someone who exploits others – he has a good heart. I enjoy those moments, and Vince has mentioned the writers are still actively discussing which character the audience should be rooting for – are we on Team Hive, or Team Carol?

When Carol finds him in Vegas, it’s only been two weeks since he entered this perfect world, and he’s still completely thrilled. It made me think about how long anyone could actually enjoy having everything they desire before getting bored. How long do you think you would last? I honestly don’t know. He’s had everything imaginable, living his absolute best life, but can that truly be fulfilling forever? There has to be a limit. I suspect I’d get bored within a month. How do you avoid that? Koumba is a fascinating character, too. He’s so open to new experiences – he even wants to try Carol’s avocado sandwich! I have no idea what’s going to happen with him, but I have a feeling there will be a moment when he realizes things aren’t as perfect as they seem. I’m really curious to see how he reacts when that happens.

I’ve been really fascinated by Koumba’s relationship with Carol. Even though she’s often so prickly and tough, he’s consistently kind and respectful towards her, and I keep wondering if there’s an element of pity there. But I think it’s deeper than that. It feels like he sees her as a fellow survivor – one of the very few original humans left – and feels a responsibility to connect. He clearly recognizes how incredibly lonely she is, and genuinely wants to be there for her, to support her, and to just understand her. I think he even sees a bit of himself in her. He’s trying to reassure her, to let her know that they have control, and that they can build a life together in this new world. It’s like he’s saying, ‘We’re in this together, and we can make it work if we don’t destroy ourselves first.’

Someone asked what it’s like working with Rhea. I think she’s amazing. Right after I was hired, she called to welcome me – I’d never had the lead actor do that before! She explained how the director, Vince, works: he likes to shoot a lot of takes and give a lot of direction, but it’s not because he’s unhappy with my performance. He’s just figuring out the right feel for the show, and he trusts me to deliver. That really put me at ease.

She actually asked to practice lines with me, which surprised me! I remember thinking, ‘Why would you do that?’ She explained it was about teamwork – helping each other improve. She believed that if I did well, she would too, and vice versa. She was incredibly collaborative on set. Whenever we filmed scenes together, she’d check in with me to see what she could do to get the reaction I needed. Then I’d do the same for her. She’s not only a gifted and generous actor, but also a truly kind and wonderful person.

Working on this show has been an incredible learning experience. Being part of a Vince Gilligan production is unique, and I’ve been struck by how collaborative and supportive everyone is. The set is beautiful, and there’s a real sense that everyone is dedicated to telling the best story possible. It’s a dream come true! It’s also rare to have a second season guaranteed before the first even finishes, which creates a relaxed atmosphere and allows for more thoughtful character development and storytelling.

I also found it fascinating how relevant the show still feels, even though it was written before anyone was thinking about things like AI or the COVID-19 pandemic. The writer tapped into timeless themes of loneliness, what it means to be human, our ability to innovate, and the tension between fitting in and being yourself. It makes you wonder – if a perfect world existed, would everyone actually want to live in it, or would some people reject it because it doesn’t align with their own vision? It’s sparked a lot of ongoing conversations with my friends, and we’re still debating it.

You’re all in a group chat together?
Oh yeah. Except Rhea, she’s not invited.

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2025-12-05 17:56