The Rise of Pedro Pascal
Known for playing anti-heroes and heartthrobs alike, Pascal is redefining stardom with each new role. Here’s a look at his career and what’s coming next
If Pedro Pascal isn’t on your radar by now, where the hell have you been?
It’s impossible to scroll through the internet these days without stumbling upon some form of Pedro Pascal adoration. And let’s be real—he’s earned every ounce of it. In an era of celebrity oversaturation, Pascal feels like a breath of fresh air—genuine, grounded, and impossibly good at his job. He’s not chasing clout or controversy. He’s just out here doing phenomenal work, looking great doing it, and casually redefining what it means to be a leading man.
With an uncanny ability to make every role his own, he’s transformed from a beloved TV character actor to a full-on global superstar. And it’s not just his performances that have made him a cultural icon; his effortless cool, heart-on-his-sleeve approach to activism, and that jaw-dropping, smouldering mustache have earned him the crown of "Internet Daddy." Whether it’s playing a brooding bounty hunter in The Mandalorian, a fatherly figure in The Last of Us, or a show-stealing turn in Game of Thrones, Pascal is on a tear that shows no signs of slowing down.
At 50, Pedro Pascal is not just riding a wave of success—he’s surfing a tsunami. Since 2014, he’s built a career that defies typecasting. The Chilean-American actor made his mark with roles that could’ve easily been one-season footnotes (RIP Oberyn Martell), but he turned them into cultural touchstones. Fast-forward to 2025, and it feels like he’s starring in every blockbuster lined up. From Ari Aster’s next mind-bender (Eddington) to Marvel’s mega-universe reboot (Fantastic Four: First Steps), Pedro Pascal isn’t just booked and busy—he’s booked and beloved.
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Part of Pascal’s rise is sheer acting talent. The man can deliver a monologue with just his eyebrows. But it’s also about timing, taste, and that uncanny ability to feel both old-school and modern at once. He’s politically conscious without being performative (see: the “Protect the Dolls” tee at Thunderbolts premiere), emotionally available without the usual Hollywood sheen, and he somehow carries the rare quality of being completely self-aware in an industry built on delusion. No wonder the internet has crowned him their “Daddy.” He’s the man everyone wants to be and be held by.
And just when you think you’ve figured him out, he pivots. A rom-com here, an arthouse flick there. There’s a reason Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023. Pedro Pascal is the kind of star who doesn’t just take over a screen—he takes over the zeitgeist.
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Let’s break down the must-watch Pascal performances, past and future. Whether you’re in full mourning over Joel’s death (same) or simply here for the ‘stache, I’ve got you covered.
Pascal’s Greatest Hits (So Far)
The Last of Us (2023–present)
There’s something utterly devastating about Pascal’s portrayal of Joel, the haunted survivor of a post-apocalyptic world. His chemistry with Bella Ramsey’s Ellie elevates the series from a typical video game adaptation to a masterclass in emotional depth. Sure, the golf club scene nearly broke us, but it’s Pascal’s quiet vulnerability that anchors the entire show. Whether he's gruff and protective or letting his guard down, Pascal’s Joel is a character we’ll never forget. If you haven’t cried while watching him try to do what’s best for Ellie, did you even really watch it?
The Mandalorian (2019–2023)
The role of Din Djarin might seem simple on paper: a stoic bounty hunter in space who speaks in short, clipped sentences. But Pedro Pascal’s ability to turn this seemingly one-dimensional character into a father figure, a protector, and a man struggling with his identity is nothing short of magic. The man behind the helmet gives The Mandalorian its heart, proving that you don’t need a face to carry an entire show. Plus, let's be real, the dynamic between him and Baby Yoda (Grogu) might just be the most adorable thing to ever hit Disney+.
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Narcos (2015–2017)
In Narcos, Pascal shines as the morally complex DEA agent Javier Peña, tasked with bringing down the infamous Pablo Escobar. This was the role that really pushed him into the spotlight, giving audiences a glimpse of his raw charisma and intensity. His portrayal of Peña is more than just a hardened agent—it’s a man caught in a web of corruption, betrayal, and his own sense of justice. Pascal brings such depth to a character who could’ve easily been one-dimensional, and it's no surprise that his star power only grew after this. Trust us, Narcos isn’t just about Escobar—it's about Pascal's performance that you can’t look away from.
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Game of Thrones (2014)
One season. That’s all it took. As Oberyn Martell, the fiery, bisexual Prince of Dorne, Pascal gave us swagger, sex appeal, and one of the most traumatic deaths in TV history (shoutout to The Mountain). It was the role that made him famous—and made us never look at thumbs the same way again.
Special Mention: Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Say what you want about the movie, but Pascal’s performance as sleazy businessman Maxwell Lord was pure, unhinged joy. Campy? Yes. Over the top? Absolutely. But the man had range and leaned in hard. We respect the hustle.
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What’s Coming: More Green Flags
The Materialists (June 2025)
Rom-coms are back, baby. Directed by Past Lives genius Celine Song, this one pairs Pascal with Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans in a twisty, NYC-set love triangle. Think How to Be Single meets When Harry Met Sally, but make it 2025. Pedro as a rich bachelor with emotional baggage? Sold.
Eddington (July 2025)
Pedro Pascal + Ari Aster = cinematic chaos. Set during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico, Eddington stars Joaquin Phoenix as a sheriff turned mayoral candidate, with Pascal as his political rival. Small-town standoffs, pandemic politics, and A24 vibes? We’re buckled in.
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Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 2025)
Mr. Fantastic. Enough said. Pascal joins the MCU as Reed Richards, helming a retro-futuristic reboot of Marvel’s first family. The trailer is pure nostalgia with cosmic stakes—and Pedro’s poised to be the smartest man in the multiverse. Expect gravitas, stretch powers, and Tumblr to implode.
The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026)
The Star Wars feature film continuation we’ve been craving. Din Djarin and Baby Yoda are back on the big screen, joined by Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White. Bigger budget, bigger stakes, bigger emotions. This isn’t just a film—it’s a full-blown cultural event.
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
He’s also set to appear in the MCU's Phase Six finale alongside Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, and basically every Marvel actor ever. We don’t know how big his role will be, but honestly? Put Pedro Pascal in a fedora reading a cereal box, and we’d still show up.
We’re living in the Pedro Pascal Cinematic Universe now. And I love it.