Chilean-American actor Pedro Pascal has starred in some of the best movies and TV shows of recent years. In fact, his filmography features some iconic roles in big franchises like the Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian (2019-2023), The Last of Us (2023-), Gladiator II (2024) and of course the MCU’s upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which is releasing in July 2025, and Avengers: Doomsday, which is slated for a 2026 release.
However, amidst all his great roles and characters, there is one in particular that has us currently reeling with grief. After the premiere of the second episode of The Last of Us season 2, titled “Through the Valley,” fans of Pascal, including us, are heartbroken to say the least.
Spoilers ahead for The Last of Us season 2! (You’ve been warned)
Even though fans of the video game knew Joel’s death was coming, seeing it depicted again wasn’t less painful. Joel, ever since The Last of Us premiered in 2023, has become one of Pascal’s most beloved characters. So naturally, the end of his character in the show is not easy to digest.
Brace yourself.
A look at what’s to come this season on #TheLastOfUs. Watch new episodes Sundays at 9PM on @StreamOnMax. pic.twitter.com/zMb4eHgoOA
— The Last of Us (@TheLastofUsHBO) April 18, 2025
Along with brilliant roles in TV shows like Game of Thrones (2011-2019), Pascal has also lent his voice to a number of projects, including the animated series The Book of Boba Fett (2021-2022). Additionally, Pascal is set to star in the 2026 movie The Mandalorian and Grogu, and A24‘s Materialists, along with Marvel alumni Chris Evans and Dakota Johnson, which is slated for a June 2025 release.
Time and again, Pedro Pascal has proven his phenomenal talent and uncanny ability to select iconic roles. Be it a leading role or a supporting performance, a TV show or a movie, Pascal has a filmography that many can only dream of!
Given his impressive career and to pay homage to one of his most brilliant characters, Joel (RIP), let’s take a look at some of the memorable roles of the acclaimed actor.
Iconic Pedro Pascal movies and TV shows that showcase his craft
Created by: David Benioff and D. B. Weiss
Character played: Oberyn Martell
Other cast: Sophie Turner, Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage
IMDb rating: 9.2/10
Pascal’s role in Game of Thrones might have lasted only a single season, but its impact on his career and pop culture at large was enormous. Playing Oberyn Martell, also known as the Red Viper of Dorne, in the show’s fourth season, Pascal brilliantly captures the charismatic and cunning nature of this fan-favourite character. A member of House Martell, one of the great houses of Westeros, Pascal perfectly demonstrates the sharp wit, humour, charisma and combat skills of his character. And of course, who can forget Oberyn’s shocking death scene? For a death scene to stand out in a show like Game of Thrones, you know it’s got to be iconic.
(Image Credit: IMDb/Game Of Thrones)
Created by: Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann
Character played: Joel Miller
Other cast: Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Kaitlyn Dever
IMDb rating: 8.7/10
Considered to be one of the best video game adaptations of all time, The Last of Us is one of the best additions to Pedro Pascal’s iconic filmography. Pascal plays Joel, the protagonist of both the show as well as the video game it’s based on. He is assigned to escort a younger teenager named Ellie across the United States. However, since the country is ravaged by a zombie apocalypse, this won’t be an easy task. Joel is also plagued by the demons of his past, including the tragic death of his daughter.
The first episode of The Last of Us season 2 premiered on 13 April 2025, with new episodes releasing every week until 26 May.
(Image credit: IMDb/The Last Of Us)
3 /8
Created by: Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro
Character played: Javier Peña
Other cast: Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook, Joanna Christie
IMDb rating: 8.7/10
From 2015 to 2017, Pascal played the lead role of Javier Peña in the Netflix series Narcos. The series is based on the real-life story of the drug lord Pablo Escobar. Pascal’s character is a DEA agent who is sent to Colombia to help track down and capture the drug kingpin. His character has been portrayed as being complex and flawed, and as someone who is deeply committed to his task, regardless of the toll it takes on his personal life. Pascal’s performance in Narcos was widely praised by critics and audiences. The success of the Netflix series also helped establish him as a leading actor in both film and television.
(Image Credit: Narcos/Netflix)
Created by: Jon Favreau
Character played: Din Djarin
Other cast: Carl Weathers, Werner Herzog, Omid Abtahi
IMDb rating: 8.6/10
In The Mandalorian, Pascal plays the primary protagonist, Din Djarin. The series takes place in the Star Wars universe and follows Din Djarin, a bounty hunter, as he is tasked with protecting Grogu (fondly known as Baby Yoda) from the dangerous Imperial forces trying to retrieve him.
Also known as Mando, Djarin is a member of a clan of warriors who wear iconic Mandalorian armour. As the series progresses, he forms a close bond with Grogu and becomes increasingly protective of him from various threats. Pascal’s performance in The Mandalorian was widely praised by critics and audiences, helping it become one of the most popular and successful shows on Disney+.
(Image Credit: IMDb/The Mandalorian)
Directed by: Matthew Vaughn
Character played: Jack Daniels
Other cast: Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Channing Tatum
Runtime: 2 hours 21 minutes
IMDb rating: 6.7/10
In 2017, Pascal played the role of Jack Daniels in the action-comedy Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Also known as Whiskey, a new recruit to the Kingsman organisation, he is a skilled agent who partners with Eggsy and Merlin to take on Poppy Adams, the villain plotting to unleash a deadly virus on the world. Whiskey is portrayed as an impressive fighter who becomes a valuable asset to the Kingsman team. Pascal’s performance as Whiskey stood out for bringing a sense of fun and energy to the film, and for his noteworthy chemistry with his co-stars. He was also praised for his impressive action sequences, further establishing him as a rising star in Hollywood.
(Image credit: IMDb/Kingsman The Golden Circle)
6 /8
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Character played: General Acacius
Other cast: Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn, Denzel Washington
Runtime: 2 hours 28 minutes
IMDb rating: 6.5/10
A sequel to Ridley Scott’s magnum opus Gladiator (2000), Gladiator II features Pedro Pascal as General Acacius, leader of the Roman Army. Acacius had trained with Maximus, the protagonist of the first film. While leading the army to invade Lucius’ (Mescal) home, Acacius has an eye-opening realisation about the war. As a consequence, he decides to overthrow the reigning emperor. However, his rebellion is stopped, and he is arrested and trapped as a gladiator who has to fight in the Colosseum.
Image credit: IMDb/Gladiator II
Directed by: Patty Jenkins
Character played: Maxwell Lord
Other cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig
Runtime: 2 hours 31 minutes
IMDb rating: 5.4/10
In the 2020 superhero film Wonder Woman 1984, Pascal played the role of Maxwell Lord. In the film, Lord uses the Dreamstone to gain the ability to grant wishes to others, but at a great personal cost. His insatiable desire for power and control leads to chaos and destruction, as he becomes increasingly desperate to maintain his hold on the world. His performance in the superhero film was also lauded by many critics, who noted his ability to convey the character’s charm, vulnerability, and villainy. His chemistry with co-star Gadot was also noticed.
(Image credit: IMDb/Wonder Woman 1984)
8 /8
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Character voiced: Paolo
Other voice cast: Sam Rockwell, Stephen Russell, Robin Lord Taylor
Genre: Stealth/Shooter game
Although it is neither a movie nor a TV show, Dishonored 2 deserves an honourable mention. In 2016, Pascal voiced the character of Paolo in the video game. He is the leader of a gang called the Howlers in the city of Karnaca and serves as one of the game’s main antagonists. In the game, players take on the role of either Emily Kaldwin or Corvo Attano, who must navigate the city and its various factions to uncover a sinister conspiracy. Paolo is one of the many obstacles the players must overcome as they progress through the game.
Pascal’s voice performance was praised for bringing a sense of menace and intensity to the character. This video game voiceover also established him as a versatile performer who is capable of bringing his talents to different types of media.
(Image credit: Dishonored 2/Wikipedia)
