7 Must-Watch Pedro Pascal Movies and Shows That Prove His Star Power
Pedro Pascal owns the screen with every role, from galaxy-hopping gunslinger to haunted survivor.
After years of bit parts and “that guy” roles, Pedro Pascal suddenly became unavoidable – simultaneously dominating streaming services and headlining major franchises. It’s the kind of mid-career explosion rarely seen in Hollywood. What makes him connect with audiences? Maybe it’s those expressive eyes that somehow emote through a helmet. Or that distinctive voice that can shift from warm to menacing in a single sentence. Whatever the magic formula, Pascal’s versatility across wildly different projects has made him one of entertainment’s most reliable talents. Here are 10 films and series that trace his evolution from character actor to one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars.
The Last of Us
Joel Miller might be Pascal’s most complete performance yet. Playing a traumatized survivor in HBO’s video game adaptation, he avoids the easy route of making Joel simply gruff or heroic. Instead, we get something messier – a broken man whose protective instincts have curdled into something dangerous. The hospital sequence in Season 1 reveals the character’s damaged moral compass without a word of dialogue (just watch his eyes). Pascal and Bella Ramsey create a surrogate father-daughter relationship that feels lived-in rather than manufactured for emotional manipulation. No wonder the show broke viewership records.
The Mandalorian
How do you act without showing your face? Pascal solved this puzzle brilliantly as Din Djarin, creating Star Wars‘ most compelling new character while hidden under a helmet. His voice does heavy lifting – subtly softening when addressing Grogu compared to the clipped efficiency used with strangers. Even his posture evolves throughout the series, from rigid bounty hunter to protective father figure. The rare helmet removals pack emotional wallops because of how Pascal establishes so much character without it.
Game of Thrones
Seven episodes. That’s all Pascal got before Oberyn Martell’s head became a crushed watermelon in TV’s most wince-inducing death scene. Yet, somehow, he created such an indelible impression that fans still mourn him years later. Pascal brought something unique to Westeros – sensual confidence mixed with righteous fury. His monologue to Tyrion about seeking justice for his sister contains more genuine emotion than many actors manage across an entire series. The fight choreography showcased unexpected physical prowess, making his defeat all the more shocking. Few performers have ever made such an impact in such limited screen time.
Narcos
DEA agent Javier Peña gave Pascal three seasons to build complex characterization as the man hunting Pablo Escobar. Unlike straightforward heroes, Peña’s moral compromises accumulate as his obsession deepens. Pascal shows this corruption through subtle changes – his mounting frustration manifesting in increasingly questionable choices rather than melodramatic breakdowns. The bilingual performance feels authentic rather than theatrical. When Colombian criminals challenge Peña in Spanish, Pascal responds with the natural fluency of someone comfortable in both worlds. His weariness by the final season communicates the toll of this endless, unwinnable war more effectively than any speech could.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Agent Whiskey seems straightforward initially – a cowboy-themed super-spy with an electric lasso and good ol’ boy charm. But Pascal finds complexity beneath the cartoonish exterior. When his traumatic backstory emerges, the performance shifts without betraying what came before. His action sequences showcase unexpected physical comedy chops alongside genuine menace. Pascal understood the assignment perfectly – embracing the film’s heightened reality while grounding his character’s motivations in relatable pain. In a movie featuring Elton John fighting ninjas, Pascal somehow avoids being overshadowed despite limited screen time.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The bromance between Pascal’s Javi and Nicolas Cage’s “Nick Cage” is at the heart of this meta comedy. Playing a wealthy fanboy with potential criminal connections, Pascal radiates genuine enthusiasm, and it leaves you rooting for him despite the red flags. His childlike excitement when Cage recognizes his screenplay creates one of the most endearing “meet your hero” moments. The performance feels emotionally transparent without feeling simple. Cage gets the showier role, playing versions of himself, but Pascal matches him beat for beat without attempting to out-weird the king of weird.
Wonder Woman 1984
Maxwell Lord could have been just another megalomaniac villain, but Pascal makes him fascinatingly human. His portrayal of the failed businessman radiates desperation beneath slick infomercial confidence. Watch his physical transformation as the wish-granting powers consume him – gradually deteriorating from polished huckster to paranoid wreck. Pascal understood that truly compelling villains believe they’re the heroes. Lord genuinely thinks unlimited wishes will solve everything, making his eventual redemption feel earned rather than convenient.