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One of the most talked about actors in recent years is Pedro Pascal. While well-known for years, he exploded in popularity when he portrayed the titular character in The Mandalorian. The Chilean-born actor has made a name for himself thanks to his charm, charisma, and acting skills. He has already had an impressive career, and he doesn’t look to be stopping anytime soon. In what seems like a short time, Pedro has managed to earn fans from all genres, ranging from crime drama fans to the notoriously picky Star Wars crowd. Today, we are taking a look at some of his best roles, from bounty hunter to post-apocalyptic father figure.
8. Eddie (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
The season 4 premiere of Buffy the Vampire Slayer featured a guest spot from a then-unknown Pedro Pascal. Pascal plays Eddie, a fellow college student who befriends the titular vampire slayer. Things go south when Eddie becomes a vamp himself and must be dealt with. Recently, show star Sarah Michelle Gellar posted a throwback pic on her Instagram showing the two filming together. Pascal responded by revealing he remembers nearly every detail of filming the episode back in 1999.
7. Maxwell Lord (Wonder Woman 1984)
Wonder Woman’s second theatrical film left much to be desired in the eyes of fans. One aspect they did enjoy, however, was Pedro as Maxwell Lord. Maxwell is the antagonist of the film and is a corrupt businessman. He comes across an ancient artifact that grants the user wishes at a cost. He uses it anyway, to disastrous results. While the film itself is all over the place, most fans agree Pedro’s performance is a standout. He is far more outgoing than in his Mandalorian role, showing he is capable of many different performances.
6. Agent Whiskey (Kingsman: The Golden Circle)
The highly entertaining Kingsman series featured Pascal in the second entry. Pedro plays Whiskey, an agent of the American version of the Kingsman known as the Statesman. Whiskey joins forces with Eggsy to take down the nefarious paramedical kingpin Poppy. Whiskey seems to be a worthy ally until he surprisingly switches sides. What makes this role so fun is not just seeing Pedro take the role of an over-the-top cowboy, but seeing him play both sides. This role shows he is not only capable of being a good guy, but also an interesting villain. The final fight between Eggsy and Harry is one of the funniest in the series. Plus, when Pedro uses a lasso everybody wins.
5. Javi Gutierrez (The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent)
One of the most unique and entertaining movies from the last five years is The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. The film stars Nicolas Cage as a fictionalized version of himself. Down on his luck and desperate for work, he agrees to go to the birthday party of a wealthy man who happens to be his biggest fan. The fan is Javi Gutierrez played hilariously by Pedro Pascal. Seeing these two highly entertaining actors play off of each other is nothing short of historical. The film has been talked about nearly nonstop since its release in 2022, and this is due in no small part to Pedro. Pedro has a difficult task here. He must act alongside Nicolas Cage essentially doing an over-the-top Nic Cage impression. Even with the craziness that is Cage, Pedro manages to not only match his energy but occasionally outshine it.
4. Javier Peña (Narcos)
The role that helped Pedro make a name for himself is that of DEA agent Javier Peña in the Netflix drama Narcos. The series follows the rise and fall of several drug kingpins, namely Pablo Escobar. Narcos is gritty and enthralling, and Pedro is right in the middle. The series showcases traits Pascal would later incorporate into his Mandalorian role. He is no-nonsense and a force to be reckoned with. this is one of Pedro’s best dramatic performances and is no surprise as to why it has become so well regarded.
3. Oberyn Martell (Game of Thrones)
The fact Pedro Pascal managed to be a stand-out character after only seven episodes speaks volumes about his acting skills. Pedro portrays Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones. Oberyn is the prince of Dorne and steals each scene he is in. He is charismatic and demands the audience’s attention whenever he is on screen. The unapologetic character is the show’s introduction to Dorne, The showboating performance manages to stand out amongst the great performances Game of Thrones has in such a short time. As with any character in Game of Thrones, fans shouldn’t get too attached, however.
2. Joel Miller (The Last of Us)
Pedro already had the odds against him when he signed on to The Last of Us. Video game adaptations rarely enjoy success, and The Last of Us had a dedicated fanbase. When the show premiered, however, it was made clear things were different. The show has already garnered huge praise from original fans and newcomers alike. Pedro plays Joel, a gruff man who is tasked with escorting an unruly teen through an apocalyptic wasteland. Pedro manages to take Joel and make it his own while still paying respect to the video game. The show hasn’t even finished its first season and it is already a pop culture phenomenon, thanks in part to Pedro.
1. Din Djarin (The Mandalorian)
Pedro Pascal has many great roles under his belt, but the one that ensures he is here to stay is the titular character in The Mandalorian. The show was the first live-action series set in the Star Wars universe. The series was a smash hit almost immediately, and this is largely due to the lead character. Pedro barely shows his face, yet he still manages to give a stellar performance. After only two full seasons, it is clear Mando is one of the greatest characters in Star Wars history. Even with roles in Game of Thrones and now as Joel in The Last of Us, the role of Din is shaping up to be Pedro’s best performance.