Pedro Pascal emotional impact in The Last of Us season 2 is so overwhelming that Nico Parker, who played his daughter Sarah, confessed she is unable to watch the new episodes. The young actress, who appeared during the initial moments of the acclaimed series, revealed on Late Night that she has avoided the season because she cannot bear to see her on-screen father’s devastating end unfold.
“I haven’t watched the second season because the idea of seeing him die is so deeply distressing,”
—Nico Parker, Actress
Parker emphasized her admiration for the rest of the cast, particularly Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced, and Gabriel Luna. Even with these talented actors drawing her interest, the emotional pain of watching Pedro Pascal’s character die is simply too much for Parker to endure.
“But I’m a huge fan of Bella [Ramsey] and Kaitlyn Dever and Isabela [Merced] and Gabriel [Luna] and all of them, so I do want to watch it because I want to see them. But Pedro dying is just a lot.”
—Nico Parker, Actress
Struggling with Fictional Losses and On-Screen Deaths
At just 20 years old, Parker mentioned her ongoing effort to handle seeing Pascal’s many screen deaths better. She shared that after watching Gladiator II, in which Pascal also has a grim fate, she was less affected.
“I watched Gladiator II and he dies in that and I was totally fine,”
—Nico Parker, Actress
Show host Seth Meyers tried to lighten the mood around Pascal’s repeated fictional demises.
“Yeah, because at some point you realize, you know, they’re just movies,”
—Seth Meyers, Talk Show Host. Parker agreed with this perspective, acknowledging the almost routine nature of such character departures in Pascal’s career, saying, “He’s just gonna keep dying.” —Nico Parker, Actress
The Tragic Turning Point for Joel in Season 2
For longtime followers and newcomers alike, Joel’s brutal murder marks a pivotal and emotional moment in the series. In the second episode, Abby, portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever, is responsible for the death that sets Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, on a quest for vengeance in Seattle. Joel’s demise, known to fans of the original video game for years, still managed to shock many viewers when brought to life on screen by Pedro Pascal.
Many fans expressed outrage and sorrow at the decision to kill Joel so early in the season, directing their frustration at co-showrunner Craig Mazin.
“The big complaint that I’ve gotten is, ‘Why did you kill Pedro Pascal?’ And I keep explaining, we didn’t kill him!”
—Craig Mazin, Co-Showrunner
Mazin has sought to reassure fans, emphasizing that Pascal himself is very much alive and actively working on numerous projects.
“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, Co-Showrunner
Pedro Pascal and Family React to Joel’s Departure
The impact of this fictional loss is not felt by fans alone; Pedro Pascal himself has expressed difficulty accepting Joel’s exit from the show. He admits to struggling with the finality of leaving beloved characters behind.
“I realize this more and more as I get older, I find myself slipping into denial that anything is over,”
—Pedro Pascal, Actor
The sentiment runs deep, with Pascal acknowledging the bonds formed on set—bonds that will continue outside the world of The Last of Us, but never quite in the same way as when he embodied Joel.
“I know that I’m forever bonded to so many members of the experience and just have to see them under different circumstances, but never will under the circumstances of playing Joel on The Last of Us. And, no, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it because it makes me sad.”
—Pedro Pascal, Actor
Even within his own family, the loss resonates. Pascal’s sister, Lux Pascal, considers Joel’s fate one of her brother’s most devastating on-screen deaths.
“I have to say that being Pedro Pascal’s sister, I knew how that episode would end,”
—Lux Pascal, Sister. Although she was aware of Joel’s impending end, watching it proved just as traumatic.
“I knew what was going to happen. But even so, I saw it and I wanted to throw the iPad.”
—Lux Pascal, Sister
Reflecting on Pascal’s history of dramatic on-screen deaths across projects like Game of Thrones and Equalizer 2, Lux Pascal noted the intensity and violence that seems to escalate with each new role.
“It’s not the first time he’s done it to me. It’s not the second time he’s done it to me. I think it’s the fourth time he’s done it to me. Because how many deaths has he had? Game of Thrones, Equalizer 2, The Last of Us — each is more violent than the other… seeing my brother die that way, I didn’t like it at all.”
—Lux Pascal, Sister
Wider Resonance and Ongoing Conversations Among Fans
Joel’s departure in The Last of Us season 2 has fueled debate among fans and viewers, reinforcing Pedro Pascal emotional impact in The Last of Us season 2 for both cast members and the audience. Despite the awareness among video game fans, witnessing the event on screen proved a significant emotional hurdle, leaving many coping with the loss of a central figure. Stars like Bella Ramsey, Kaitlyn Dever, and Gabriel Luna continue their compelling performances, but for many, the absence of Joel remains a source of frustration and distress.
As the story progresses, Ellie’s pursuit for vengeance keeps viewers engaged, while the creative team faces ongoing discussions about narrative decisions. The broader impact of Joel’s death and the strong reactions from both cast and viewers underline just how deeply Pedro Pascal’s presence shaped the heart of The Last of Us, ensuring the conversation will continue throughout the season and beyond.
