Vince Gilligan’s “To Manny” Builds a World Across Four Continents, Rooted in New Mexico
A sprawling, international production anchored in Albuquerque, New Mexico, defines the filming locations for Vince Gilligan’s new sci-fi series, “To Many,” starring Rhea Seehorn. The first season of the highly anticipated show utilized diverse landscapes spanning the American West, europe, and even the Canary Islands, demonstrating a commitment to visual storytelling and logistical ambition.
Albuquerque: A Familiar Base for Gilligan
The heart of the production remained in Albuquerque, a city Gilligan has repeatedly favored for its experienced crews, diverse landscapes, and established studio infrastructure. Having previously filmed critically acclaimed series like “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” in the area,the showrunner returned with his trusted local team. According to production sources, the decision to film in Albuquerque was driven by efficiency and the ability to execute complex set pieces effectively.
To achieve the series’ desired aesthetic of quiet suburban life, the production took a remarkable step: they leased land on the west side of Albuquerque and constructed an entire cul-de-sac from scratch. This purpose-built set,complete with concrete curbs and seven fully-realized houses – including some with complete interiors – allowed the filmmakers to maintain complete control over the filming environment. “Building the set let the creatives get the exact visuals Gilligan wanted while keeping continuity across episodes,” one production writeup detailed.
A charming local touch was also included: Albuquerque’s Mayor, Tim Keller, made a cameo appearance in episode four, briefly appearing as himself.
Expanding Beyond the Desert: A Global Footprint
While New Mexico served as the primary filming location,”To Many” quickly expanded its scope beyond the American Southwest. the production ventured to several other key locations to broaden the narrative and visual palette.
- Las Vegas, Nevada: Sequences were filmed in Las Vegas to capture the city’s unique urban atmosphere and support specific plot developments.
- Big Sky/Helena, Montana: The Montana landscape provided a stark contrast to the desert scenery of Albuquerque, offering wide-open, rural backdrops meant to evoke the vastness of the American landscape.
- Northern Spain & the Canary Islands (Spain): To establish an international dimension to the story, the production team shot scenes in northern Spain and the Canary Islands. These European locations provided coastal and island visuals that will appear in later episodes as the plotline expands globally.
The ambitious filming schedule and diverse locations underscore the scale of “to Many” and its commitment to immersive storytelling. The series’ global footprint promises a visually stunning and narratively complex experience for viewers.
What is “to Many” about? The series, starring Rhea Seehorn, follows an ordinary woman who discovers she is one of many identical copies, each living separate lives. who is behind it? Vince Gilligan, known for “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” created and is showrunning the series. Why the global locations? The diverse settings-from Albuquerque’s suburban streets to the landscapes of Montana and Spain-reflect the expansive scope of the mystery and the interconnectedness of the “many” versions of the protagonist.How does it end (Season 1)? the first season culminates with the protagonist, having connected with a handful of her counterparts, uncovering a shadowy organization responsible for their creation, leaving the audience on a cliffhanger as they prepare to confront their origins and the purpose of their existence.
