Pedro Pascal‘s continued success after The Last Of Us is evident as he remains a major presence in both television and film, even following a dramatic turn in the series’ latest season. Following shocking events in the show, discussion has shifted to how Pascal’s career has soared, and why some fans can’t seem to escape his breakthrough appeal across pop culture.
Reactions to Joel Miller’s Fate and Craig Mazin’s Clarification
The second season of HBO’s The Last Of Us surprised audiences by taking major narrative risks, including the violent exit of protagonist Joel Miller. Showrunner Craig Mazin faced criticism from viewers upset about the fate of Joel, yet he emphasized that following the original video game’s storyline meant these bold events were inevitable. Mazin appeared alongside prominent TV drama creators like Dan Erickson of Severance and Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson of Yellowjackets at a panel hosted by Variety to discuss these creative choices. During the discussion, Mazin praised Neil Druckmann, the Last Of Us game series writer, for his original direction in the source material:
“[Druckmann] did a thing. Everyone lost their shit, and then I had to do that same thing, because he did the thing. I loved doing the thing, I thought it was great.”
—Craig Mazin, Showrunner
Mazin also addressed why viewers had misconceptions about the actor’s fate:
“The big complaint that I’ve gotten is, ‘Why did you kill Pedro Pascal?’ And I keep explaining, we didn’t kill him! He’s a man, he’s alive. He’s fine. And he’s in literally everything else. So I don’t know what the problem is!”
—Craig Mazin, Showrunner
Pascal’s Career Continues to Expand
Mazin’s reassurance highlights that Pedro Pascal’s career is anything but over following his character’s end on The Last Of Us. Pascal is currently entrenched in major franchises, including upcoming roles within the Star Wars and Marvel universes. His presence in major Hollywood properties makes him one of the most recognizable actors on screen today. The actor’s popularity means that even after leaving a prominent TV role, he continues to appear across various projects, both returning in flashback episodes for The Last Of Us and taking on new high-profile parts.
Even amid the fervor over Joel Miller’s dramatic exit, there has perhaps never been an era when Pedro Pascal was more accessible to global audiences. Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann’s adherence to the story’s roots did not diminish Pascal’s active participation in the entertainment world.
The Significance of Pascal’s Ubiquity
Having established himself in several genre-defining roles, Pedro Pascal has become an emblem of television and movie stardom, appealing to a wide audience. The widespread reaction to Joel Miller’s storyline underscores the impact that strong character portrayals can have, yet also hints at the blurred lines many viewers maintain between an actor’s role and their real-life career. Pascal’s ongoing visibility and involvement in new projects suggest he will remain an influential figure in pop culture, regardless of specific narrative outcomes in any one series.
As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, and with creatives like Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann steering major adaptations, Pascal’s continued rise is poised to set new standards for leading actors in Hollywood’s most prominent projects.
