Pascal has since become one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors, effortlessly transitioning between genres, streaming platforms, and franchises. One year, he’s chasing drug lords in Colombia, the next he’s babysitting Grogu through space, all while being crowned the internet’s collective crush.
He’s taken cult TV turns to blockbuster roles. Here’s a definitive look at the performances that built the Pascal empire.
Pedro Pascal’s Early Days
Before Pedro Pascal lit up the world’s screens, he was building his foundation in the wings. Trained at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, he cut his teeth in off-Broadway productions, most notably Maple and Vine and Some Men. He bounced around network TV for years, landing small roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Good Wife, Law & Order: SVU, and NYPD Blue.
Casting directors started to take notice.
His big break came in 2014 when he was cast as Oberyn Martell in HBO’s Game of Thrones. It took over a decade of hustle to get there, but the payoff was career-changing. That single season reintroduced him to the world, not as another nameless guest star but as a force worth watching.
Best Pedro Pascal Roles in TV Series
1. Oberyn Martell, Game of Thrones
Created by: David Benioff & D.B. Weiss
Pedro Pascal’s Oberyn Martell was the kind of character who could’ve been swallowed up in the chaos of Westeros. Instead, he stole every scene. Seductive, sharp-tongued, and deadly with a spear, Oberyn entered the game late but left a legacy.
Pascal brought swagger, pathos, and purpose to a character driven by revenge, and somehow made you want to root for him even more.
This role earned him a huge fanbase, huge enough to change the trajectory of his career. Before Oberyn, he was still auditioning for bit parts. Audiences and producers alike saw what he could do with screen time, and he didn’t even need a second season to prove it.
Filming the now-infamous Mountain duel was intense, grueling, and, according to Pascal, “one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.” Fans were devastated by his violent end, but that just cemented Oberyn’s place in Thrones lore.
2. Javier Peña, Narcos
Created by: Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard & Doug Miro
Narcos gave Pascal his first major leading role. As DEA agent Javier Peña, he wasn’t playing a hero in the classic sense. He was instead navigating a morally gray world, making ethically questionable choices, and doing it all with a cigarette and a smirk.
Pascal brought complexity to Peña. He made the agent feel layered, world-weary, but never hollow. He was more than a cop. He was a man reckoning with power, politics, and a system that didn’t always reward doing the right thing. And somehow, Pascal made all that feel smooth.
Beyond its critical success, Narcos opened doors internationally. The show’s global audience meant Pascal wasn’t just a U.S. name anymore. He was recognized in multiple languages.
3. Din Djarin/The Mandalorian, The Mandalorian
Created by: Jon Favreau
It’s not easy acting with your face hidden behind a helmet. But Pedro Pascal turned The Mandalorian into a weekly exercise in subtlety and restraint. As Din Djarin, the armored bounty hunter turned unlikely dad, Pascal infused the character with warmth, dignity, and a sense of quiet honor, none of which required visible facial expressions.
Even though stunt doubles often wore the suit, Pascal’s voice and physical choices still anchored the character. Every line delivery was measured. Every pause felt intentional. He somehow turned a sci-fi gunslinger into one of the most emotionally compelling characters in the Star Wars universe.
The Mandalorian revitalized Star Wars on TV, while also elevating Pascal’s career to stratospheric heights. Toys, memes, fan edits, Emmy buzz… it was a cultural event.
4. Joel Miller, The Last of Us
Created by: Craig Mazin & Neil Druckmann
Stepping into Joel Miller’s boots was no small feat. The Last of Us is an exceptional video game adaptation. Expectations were sky-high. Fans were skeptical. Pascal didn’t flinch.
In HBO’s The Last of Us, Pascal gave Joel more than grit. He gave him grief. He made the trauma feel lived-in, the rage believable, and the love—especially the quiet kind—for Ellie devastating. It’s one of the most emotionally raw performances on TV in recent memory.
Critics praised him in the role, and fans—especially those familiar with the game—praised his ability to humanize a character who could’ve easily come off as cold or flat. Pascal received widespread acclaim, and his performance sparked conversations about masculinity, grief, and the complexities of protecting someone at all costs.
Pedro Pascal’s Film Roles
1. Jack (Agent Whiskey), Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
Directed by: Matthew Vaughn | Written by: Jane Goldman & Matthew Vaughn
In this flashy sequel, Pascal played Whiskey—a lasso-slinging, bourbon-drinking American agent with cowboy charm and a secret agenda. The role allowed him to flex his acting chops and lean into a playful, slightly absurd energy.
It also spawned several now-famous TikTok edits. If you know, you know.
2. Maxwell "Max Lord" Lorenzano, Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Directed by: Patty Jenkins | Written by: Jenkins, Geoff Johns, & Dave Callaham
As Maxwell Lord, Pascal delivered a bombastic take on the classic comic book villain. He played Lord with desperation, flair, and enough ham to feed a city, but there was an underlying sadness, too. It wasn’t subtle, but it worked.
3. Javi Gutiérrez, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)
Directed by: Tom Gormican | Written by: Gormican & Kevin Etten
Teaming up with Nicolas Cage, Pascal played a wealthy superfan with layers. His comic timing and bromance chemistry with Cage became the heart of the film. It was self-aware, absurd, and wildly entertaining, and proved he can thrive in meta-comedy just as well as high-stakes drama.
4. General Acacius, Gladiator 2 (2024)
Directed by: Ridley Scott | Written by: David Scarpa
Pascal steps into sword-and-sandals territory, playing a Roman general caught between loyalty and survival. While the film leans heavily on epic scale and legacy, Pascal finds room to inject quiet intensity into a role that could’ve easily gone full spectacle.
5. Harry Castillo, Materialists (2025)
Directed by: Celine Song | Written by: Celine Song
Pascal dials down the spectacle in this romantic dramedy, trading blasters and bravado for emotional vulnerability. As a charming, well-off suitor navigating love and material expectations in modern New York, he delivers a performance that’s subtle, self-aware, and quietly disarming.
Why Hollywood Loves Pedro Pascal
Good looks, good craft, and a good fan base. No wonder Pedro Pascal is a publicist’s dream. He can carry a franchise, nail press interviews, and steal hearts on Instagram without even trying. His online presence—equal parts goofy, stylish, and sincere—has made him endlessly memeable and instantly lovable.
What sets him apart is range. He can do brooding antiheroes (Narcos, The Last of Us), space cowboys (The Mandalorian), and ridiculous buddy-comedy weirdos (The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent) and still keep you invested. He doesn’t get typecast.
The Pascal Era
Pedro Pascal came up the long way, built credibility brick by brick, and once the right role came along, he took off and made it look easy.
In a landscape full of loud performances and shiny distractions, Pascal’s charisma sneaks up on you. He plays flawed men with depth, softness, and soul. He’s redefining what it means to be a leading man, and doing it all without the usual Hollywood bravado.
