Whether it’s the moustache, the smile or his dazzling charisma, chances are if you saw a movie or a TV show episode where Pedro Pascal is cast, you probably remember him. Over the past decade, he has become one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, starring in A-list blockbusters and carrying various lesser-known movies or shows with his talent. This blog will explore Pedro Pascal’s films and TV shows, highlighting his journey from early career roles to his most iconic characters.
Biography of Pedro Pascal
- Full Name: José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal
- Birthdate: April 2nd, 1975
- Birthplace: Santiago, Chile
You might understand why Pedro Pascal settled in the US if you know history. Back in his early years, the Chilean government was run by the dictator Augusto Pinochet. His family fled the oppression and settled in Texas and South California. From Pedro Pascal’s school days, he always seemed to have a penchant for arts, especially acting. He attended the Orange County School of the Arts and later graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 1997.
The middle child of Veronica Pascal Ureta and Jose Balmaceda Riera first started acting in short films under the alias of Pedro Balmaceda, using his father’s last name. He also used another alias – Alexander Pascal.
Almost a decade after doing small-budget and niche movies and TV shows, Pedro Pascal, like a true late bloomer, landed roles in well-known TV shows like Law & Order, Nikita, Homeland, CSI, The Mentalist and many more.
Not long after, his breakthrough came. In 2014, he came to the public spotlight as Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones. Since then, it has been a rocket-esque rise to fame. Hit roles after hit roles, praise from critics and moviegoers, and adoration from the female audience earned him a spot on TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023 list.
So, yes, he is a big deal.
Pedro Pascal Movies & TV Shows – Biggest Hits
Let’s look at the roles which are considered his best work.
Game of Thrones: Oberyn Martell
As we mentioned, Pascal’s breakthrough came in 2014. It was at this time the man was cast as Oberyn Martell in the fourth season of Game of Thrones.
His portrayal of the charismatic and vengeful prince of Dorne propelled him to become a fan favourite almost overnight. Pascal’s performance was notable for its intensity and depth, capturing the complexities of a character-driven by love and revenge. From the façade, the prince seemed much more carefree and laid back. However, the climatic finale of his performance showed a very different side of Oberyn. The role solidified his status as a rising star.
Narcos: Detective Javier Peña
After his overwhelming success in the Game of Thrones, Pedro Pascal showed no signs of stopping. He was cast as Javier Peña in the Netflix series Narcos.
The show’s first few seasons chronicled the rise and fall of the most notorious OG drug kingpin, Pablo Escobar. Pedro Pascal was one of the 2 DEA agents tasked with capturing him.
Javier Peña is a morally complex DEA agent with his share of vices. He tries to do his job without putting himself in too much danger. However, with the tide turning and the government increasing the pressure on the DEA to make some arrests, Peña shows his true dedication to detective work.
The Mandalorian: Din Djarin
Back in 2019, there was probably no hotter TV show than Disney’s Mandalorian. Who better to take the lead than the hottest actor on TV – Pedro Pascal?
In The Mandalorian, Pascal plays Din Djarin. He’s a lone bounty hunter going around the galaxy’s outer reaches. So, yes, he’s a bit like Han Solo.
The actor’s performance, often delivered from behind a helmet, relies heavily on body language and voice, demonstrating his ability to convey emotion and depth without traditional facial expressions. People loved this show, so if he wasn’t amongst the very top TV actors, he definitely should have made the list after starring in this show.
Wonder Woman 1984
Even though this movie didn’t receive the best ratings from fans, Pedro Pascal’s role here was memorable, to say the least.
Max Lord is a famous supervillain from the DC Comic universe. The charismatic yet morally ambiguous businessman becomes the primary antagonist of the Wonder Woman 1984 plot. Pascal’s performance was praised because he managed to avoid portraying this role in a one-dimensional manner. The Chilean-American was definitely one of the brightest spots of the flick.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Nicholas Cage is one to never shy away from a challenging, weird or unique role. In this movie, he goes up against the challenge of playing himself. The fictionalized version of the Hollywood actor Nicholas Cage is struggling in the film. He fancies a change in fortune when Javi Gutierrez, a billionaire superfan portrayed by Pedro Pascal, offers him to join in on an adventure. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is definitely worth watching.
The Last of Us
HBO’s adaptation of the video game “The Last of Us” has been met with critical acclaim. One of the reasons – a standout performance by Pedro Pascal.
He plays Joel, a hardened survivor in a post-apocalyptic world. Grit, vulnerability, ingenuity and determination are his key traits. His goal is to protect Ellie, a young girl who might be humanity’s last hope.
Critics have praised Pascal’s ability to convey deep emotion through subtle expressions and body language. Roles in the Mandalorian and Game of Thrones probably prepared the actor for these big moments.
Other notable roles
Pedro Pascal also has a plethora of other notable movies and TV shows under his belt. Let’s highlight a few of them as well.
- In The Equalizer 2, Pedro Pascal stars opposite the series lead, Denzel Washington, taking on the role of Dave York, the main antagonist.
- In Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Pedro Pascal portrays Agent Whiskey, a top detective in the American counterpart to the British Kingsman.
- He is set to star in the upcoming epic Gladiator II by Ridley Scott.
About Pedro Pascal’s Acting Style
His unique looks and great casting aren’t the only things going for Pedro Pascal. He is also a very talented and exceptional actor, blending macho-like charm with vulnerability and dynamic changes in pace.
He seemingly has done it all – from intense and vengeful figures as well as villains to tender and complex heroes. There’s literally no water too deep for Pedro Pascal to swim in.
Pascal excels at bringing emotional depth to his roles, which can at first seem too superficial or just plainly entertaining. His portrayal of Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones was a great example of charm and vengeance in the same place. Similarly, Pascal conveyed a wide range of emotions in The Mandalorian despite often being masked—one of his most versatile and well-cast roles of the DEA agent Javier Peña. A mix of determination and moral complexity allowed Pascal to highlight all of his talents.
Behind the scenes, Pedro Pascal often collaborates closely with directors and co-stars to enhance his performances. It seems that his background in theatre acting does help a lot.