‘Pluribus’ creator Vince Gilligan and stars explain why [SPOILER] reveals what’s in the mystery milk: “Who better to justify it?”

“Hello, Carol. We’re John Cena!”

Those hilariously unexpected words rang out in Pluribus Episode 6, “HDP,” before actor and pro wrestler John Cena — or rather, the hive mind taking his human form — explained what the heck the titular acronym stands for and what’s in the mysterious milk that powers the Others.

In interviews with creator Vince Gilligan and stars Rhea Seehorn and Samba Schutte, Decider got crucial details about Cena’s casting, filming the standout scene, Mr. Diabaté’s love of the star, Cena’s piano talents, and more.

Spoilers for Pluribus Episode 6 ahead.

“Casting John Cena, I wanted Queen Elizabeth, but someone told me that sadly, she had passed away. So John Cena was kind of a second choice for us,” Gilligan joked over Zoom. “But he was great. We asked him, and thank goodness he said yes, and he’s friggin’ great at it.”

So how does Cena appear on the show?! After Carol (Seehorn) discovers a warehouse full of frozen human bodies and realizes the Others are almost certainly slurping up ground humans in their milk, she drives the video evidence straight to Las Vegas to show Mr. Diabaté (Schutte) in person. In a twist, he already knows the Others eat people! How? John Cena told him, of course!

Mr. Diabaté turns on the TV in his hotel room and plays an informational video starring Cena. “Hello, Carol. We’re John Cena. And we’re here to address some questions you may be having regarding our food supply,” a chipper Cena said. “As you know, we can’t kill, harm, or otherwise interfere with any form of life. That limits what we’re able to consume, because when we say any life, that includes plant life.” Cena goes on to explain that the Others can’t so much as pluck an apple from a tree or harvest corn, and thus, they’re facing a caloric deficit!

The temporary solution to the potentially deadly dilemma? Milk made from stockpiled food in danger of spoiling and something called HDP, or human derived protein. “Yes. It’s pretty much what it sounds like. Nearly 100,000 people pass away each day due to natural causes and accidents. Those human remains, which would otherwise go to waste are our source of HDP,” Cena reveals. “We cherish the memory of these people and appreciate our sacrifice. Given our druthers, would we choose to consume HDP? No… but we’re left with little choice.”

So why was absolute legend John Cena the perfect person to deliver the cursed canibalism news on Pluribus? He wasn’t solely cast to make the big reveal more star-studded and hilarious. Gilligan and team felt he’s someone Mr. Diabaté would see as a trusted authority figure.

“I thought it was fun that you told me the discussions you guys were having about how the Others would have specifically picked who they think Diabaté thinks is a figure of authority to tell them that,” Seehorn said. “Cause for the video, he is asking for somebody that he thinks is the voice of reason. And he picks John Cena, which makes me laugh.”

“They had been working out together,” Gilligan playfully added. “He was teaching him the sunset flip powerbomb.”

As for Shutte’s initial reaction to the casting, he was delighted. “I loved that the cannibalism is justified. And who better to justify it than John Cena?” he told Decider with a chuckle over Zoom. “I love that the twist, for Koumba, is a very rational thing. Like, yes, he doesn’t agree with it, but he understands. At the end of the day, we don’t want people to starve to death. They didn’t kill these people. So in a way, I guess it’s OK! Because they can’t pick an apple!”

With time in the ring, a film career, his role on Peacemaker, and other guest appearances in Emmy winning series like The Bear, Cena is booked and busy. But Gilligan made sure to stress that Cena’s talents go beyond wrestling and acting.

“It’s funny, [John and the cast] never met because he’s a very busy guy and we had to go to Tampa, Florida and shot it in a little soundstage. And he nailed it in like three takes, but in between takes, there’s a piano, and he’s like playing the piano, and he’s really good,” the Pluribus creator shared.

From tickling the keys to breaking down HDP, is there anything the man can’t do?

New episodes of Pluribus premiere Fridays on Apple TV.