As one of the most talented actors of his generation,Pedro Pascalhas created many memorable characters throughout his career. In each movie andTV serieshe’s appeared in, he embodies characters who have compelling stories to tell.Pascal is able to make deeply unsympathetic characters relatable and charming characters unforgettable. Throughout hisTVcareer in particular, Pascal has been able to showcase the breadth of his abilities.
Of all Pascal’s TV roles, there are several that stand out in that they give him the ability to highlight just how wide of a range he has as an actor. He’s had several leading roles in beloved series that highlight his ability to create characters capable of carrying ensembles. Pascal has also created secondary characters that were only on-screen for a short time, but left a lasting impression. Pedro Pascal’s best TV characters are morally complex and emotionally nuanced.
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997–2003)
Buffy the Vampire Slayeris a supernatural drama that introduces Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), a young woman chosen by fate to fight vampires. The series follows Buffy’s struggle to live a normal life while accepting her destiny. Pascal plays Eddie, who is introduced in the Season 4 episode “The Freshman”.Eddie is a young student Buffy meets at school, who is tragically killed and made into a vampire. Buffy and Eddie share a poignant moment in which they talk about the challenges of life’s transitions.
Eddie is aminor character inBuffy the Vampire Slayer, but he manages to make an impact.This is an early example of Pascal’s work that showcases his ability to fit seamlessly into a well-known franchise.Buffy the Vampire Slayerintroduced many memorable vampires, and Eddie stands out as one of the most human. This is one of Pascal’s most notable roles because it gives him a chance to show what an impact he can make on a character in a single episode.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
A young woman, destined to slay vampires, demons and other infernal creatures, deals with her life fighting evil, with the help of her friends.
9Omar Assarian
‘Lights Out’ (2011)
Lights Outis a boxing dramathat follows Patrick “Lights” Leary (Holt McCallany), who is a former world heavyweight champion. The series focuses on his struggle to find a new identity after he retires. Lights is also diagnosed with a neurological condition that’s caused by his years of taking hits to the head. Pascal plays Omar Assarian,a young up-and-coming boxer whose overconfidence is his biggest flaw. Omar is set up to be Light’s successor, and the only hope his gym has of surviving.
As a young upstart, Omar represents the next generation of boxers who Lights sees as a threat. Omar is just starting out, and he’s clearly looking for someone to mentor him. Through Omar, Pascal shows how effectively he can create a character who knows he is destined for greatness. This is another example of a character that shows how talented Pascal has always been, including earlier in his career, in smaller roles like this.
Lights Out
8Jay Castillo
‘Red Widow’ (2013)
Red Widowintroduces Marta Walraven (Radha Mitchell), a housewife from Northern California whose husband, a marijuana smuggler, was killed. The series followsMarta’s struggle to survive in the wake of her husband’s death, since she owes money to Nicholae Schiller (Goran Višnjić), a crime boss. Pascal plays Jay Castillo, Marta’s brother-in-law, who is a tattoo artist. Jay’s relationship with Marta’s sister Kat (Jaime Ray Newman) is one that stands out in the series.
This is another example of Pascal being able to take a fairly minor character and make him memorable. As Marta’s brother-in-law, Jay could have been completely insignificant. However,Jay further fleshes out the family dynamics at play inRed Widowimpact the overall story. This character is an example of Pascal being able to take an objectively small role and focus on what makes the character significant, which in this case means focusing on his relationships.
7Nathan Landry
‘The Good Wife’ (2009–2016)
The Good Wifeis a political and legal drama that follows Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies), the wife of a disgraced American politician, who reclaims her life by focusing on her own legal career. The series focuses onAlicia’s quest to rebuild her life and career as she navigates the cutthroat world of Chicago lawand office politics.In the first two seasonsofThe Good Wife, Pascal plays Assistant State Attorney Nathan Landry.
Nathan is an imposing figure and one who quickly establishes his intelligence and skills. From the start, Nathan highlights his ability to command a courtroom. Although Nathan might not be an important character to the overall story, since the series mainly follows Alicia as she creates a new life for herself, characters like Nathan help establish the stakes Alicia has to face when navigatingthis legal and political world. He represents a wrung on the legal ladder Alicia has to climb.
The Good Wife
Alicia Florrick has been a good wife to her husband, a former state’s attorney. After a very humiliating sex and corruption scandal, he is behind bars. She must now provide for her family and returns to work as a litigator in a law firm.
6Juan Badillo
‘Graceland’ (2013–2015)
Gracelandfollowsmembers of various United States law enforcement agencies, including the DEA and the FBI, who live together in a confiscated beach houseknown as “Graceland”. The series highlights the challenges the members of these law enforcement agencies face while protecting their identities.Pascal plays Juan Badillo, who is primarily featured inGraceland’s first season. His character is a member of the FBI.
Juan stands out as a character in this series because his mission lands him in trouble. While his fellow agents focus on their respective missions, Juan is assigned to Mike Warren’s (Aaron Tveit) investigation into Paul Briggs (Daniel Sunjata), a senior FBI agent. This character gives Pascal the chance to showcase how he’s able to bring a unique perspective to any story. Pascal also uses this character to highlight how well he’s able to stand out in an ensemble.
5Marcus Pike
‘The Mentalist’ (2008–2015)
The Mentalistintroduces Patrick Jane (Simon Baker), a former psychic con artist who becomes a consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation.Jane solves complex crimes using his observational skills, psychological manipulation, and sharp intuitionrather than psychic abilities. Jane works closely with his boss, Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney), andtheir will-they-won’t-they relationshipbecame an essential part of the series. Pascal plays Marcus, Jane’s potential rival.
Marcus establishes himself as a character who can realistically challenge Patrick for Teresa’s affections. This is another example of Pascal being able to create characters whose charm leaps off the screen. Although there was no realistic possibility of Lisbon ending up with anyone other than Jane, Marcus adds a fun and interesting dynamic to the series.Many fans still argue that Marcus deserved better. However, as a character, he made an impression in the handful of episodes he appeared in.
The Mentalist
A famous “psychic” outs himself as a fake, and starts working as a consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation so he can find “Red John”, the madman who killed his wife and daughter.
4Javier Peña
‘Narcos (2015–2017)
Narcosis a gritty crime drama series that chronicles the rise and fall of some of the world’s most notorious drug cartels, including Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura).The series follows the drug kingpinswho built vast empires through violence and corruption, and the relentless DEA agents working to bring them down. Pascal playsJavier Peña,a DEA agent tasked with bringing down Escobar and the Cali Cartel.
InNarcos, Pascal highlights his ability to bring an actual historical figure to life.His version of Javier Peña is driven and committed to his mission of bringing Escobar to justice. Pascal’s role here is also a chance for him to show how well he can co-lead a popular series. This is a morally complex character who really comes into his own in the third season. It’s clear Pascal took a lot of care to develop this version of Peña, who’s often easy to sympathize with.
A chronicled look at the criminal exploits of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, as well as the many other drug kingpins who plagued the country through the years.
3Din Djarin
‘The Mandalorian’ (2019–) and ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ (2021)
The Mandalorianis aStar Warsseries that takes place in the aftermath of the Galactic Empire’s fall and before the rise of the First Order.Pascal plays Din Djarin, a lone Mandalorian bounty hunter who travels the galaxy’s outer reaches while taking dangerous jobs.He ends up protecting a mysterious Force-sensitive child known as Grogu. He finds himself targeted by the remnants of the Empire for doing so. Din Djarin also appears inThe Book of Boba Fett.
Din Djarin is another example of a character that allows Pascal to use his natural charisma to stand out. The fact that Din Djarin’s face is rarely revealed, butPascal is able to do so much with his voice alone, is proof that this is one of his most notable TV characters. Din Djarin is also a surprisingly complex character, since underneath his gruff exterior he has a tender soul. Pascal is able to highlight this nuance with ease.
The Mandalorian
The travels of a lone bounty hunter in the outer reaches of the galaxy, far from the authority of the New Republic.
2Oberyn Martell
‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)
Game of Thronesis based onGeorge R. R. Martin’s epic fantasy seriesA Song of Ice and Fire. In a series that was always known for killing off characters, even major ones, with little warning, it was always important not to get too attached to anyone. This was certainly true of Oberyn Martell, who made an immediate impression when he was introduced in the series’ fourth season.In the complex universe ofGame of Thrones, Oberyn Martell quickly became a fan favorite.
Oberyn Martell is one ofGame of Thrones’most captivating characters, which is no easy feat in a series with such a massive ensemble cast. Oberyn is fiercely intelligent and committed to seeking justice for his sister Elia. His quest for vengeance is his undoing, however.Pascal captures this character’s charm from the book, and gives him a depth that makes him even easier to invest in. Oberyn is ultimately one of Pascal’s best TV characters because he is unforgettable.
Game Of Thrones
Nine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.
1Joel Miller
‘The Last of Us’ (2023–)
The Last of Usis based on the video game of the same name, and takes place in a world that’s been destroyed by a catastrophic pandemic. The series introduces Joel Miller (Pascal), who loses his daughter Sarah (Nico Parker) in the first days of the apocalypse. Years later, Joel is tasked with taking Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across the United States, since Ellie’s immune to the fungus that turns people into zombies.
Joel Miller is Pascal’s most notable TV characterbecause he’s so deeply human. He’s flawed and often makes the wrong choices in the name of doing whatever he thinks will protect those he loves. However, ultimately,he’s easy to empathize with considering everything he’s lost and how hard he’s had to fightagainst impossible odds. Joel’s compassion and heart shine through, even when the world falls apart around him. Even though Joel is killed in the series' second season, his presence remains no less vital to the story.
The Last Of Us
After a global pandemic destroys civilization, a hardened survivor takes charge of a 14-year-old girl who may be humanity’s last hope.
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