Pedro Pascal has been a bonafide Hollywood star for years now, harking back to his earlier stints on shows like Game of Thrones and Narcos. But that has only been elevated this year, given his widely acclaimed turns on Disney+s The Mandalorian and HBOs The Last of Us not to mention his magnificent hosting performance on NBCs Saturday Night Live this season. With three potential categories for Pascal to shine, it would be unfathomable to imagine an Emmy acting lineup without the inclusion of the Chilean superstar.
Three wildly different Pascal performances are available for the Television Academy to consider.
With The Last of Us, an adaptation of the popular videogame series, Pascal stars as Joel Miller, a hardened survivor of a global pandemic that finds a vulnerability in 14-year-old Ellie (played remarkably by lead actress drama candidate Bella Ramsey). A genre show that allows Pascal to internalize his emotions, and rely on his physical mannerisms to create a three-dimensional character, The Last of Us is simply breathtaking. Quite possibly Pascals best career performance yet, the Craig Mazin-created dystopian drama was also a massive hit for HBO and one of the networks most-watched shows of the year.
In addition, theres a potential history-making factor that comes with voting for Pascal in lead drama actor on the ballot. If named one of the six nominees, Pascal would be only the second Latino ever recognized in the category, after four-time nominee Jimmy Smits (for the classic 90s drama NYPD Blue). Smits never won.
Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in HBOs The Last of Us HBO After Lee Jung-jae from Squid Game made history last year as the first Asian actor to win in that category, more representation is something we should celebrate and highlight when awards bodies have worthy candidates in their grasp. The Last of Us will face off with four other major drama players from HBO (also pushing Succession, The White Lotus and House of the Dragon), but Pascal has another potential competitor in the same category: Himself.
Pascals work as the titular character The Mandalorian, now in its third season, could siphon some critical votes. It can be argued Pascal was a near miss for a nomination in the shows first two seasons. Although several artisans have been recognized for the franchise, the man behind the helmet has been not been able to clear that hurdle.
Noteworthy is Pascal isnt the only Latino acting possibility in the race. Diego Luna, his Star Wars franchise counterpart, is also vying for attention with the spinoff series Andor.
And then there are the funny parts of Pascals year.
Taking the stage of Studio 8H, Pascal hosted the Feb. 4 episode of the long-running NBC sketch show Saturday Night Live. From his hilarious monologue to the moments he broke character (including Ego Nwodims steak-cutting table spillage), Pascal is the clear standout of all hosts in the 48th season so far. Others with standout host stints on SNL this season include Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce and Quinta Brunson (also a multiple nom possibility as creator, writer and star of Abbott Elementary). Hopefully, a mention in guest comedy actor will bring the world closer to the genius Mario Kart adaptation the show cooked up.
All this talent isnt new for those paying attention to Pascals work for more than a decade. Aside from his eye-losing Oberyn in Game of Thrones, he was the best part of shows like Narcos, films like Wonder Woman 1984 and is fresh off what should have been his first Oscar-nominated performance in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.
With Emmy in his sights, Pascal is getting ready to give the people more of what they wantmore Pedro. On Pascals docket are upcoming roles in the Nadia Conners comedy The Uninvited (with Walton Goggins), Anna Boden and Ryan Flecks upcoming drama Freaky Tales and the new short film from Pedro Almodvar, Strange Way of Life (opposite Ethan Hawke), rumored to be premiering at the Cannes Film Festival.
Pedro Pascals moment is here, Emmy voters. Dont mess it up.
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