Pedro Pascalhas been nominated for an Outstanding Lead Actor Emmy for his role inThe Last of Usseason 2, and this is a perfect reminder to revisit his earlier projects.Pascal is great inThe Last of Us— even if the actor’s screen time is significantly diminished in season 2 — and his inclusion amongthe 2025 Emmy Award nomineeshighlights as much.
Pascal has blown up in recent years, partly thanks to playing Joel inThe Last of Us.However, his lead role inThe Mandalorianand villainous performance inWonder Woman 1984also turned him into a household name. ButPascal had many great TV roleseven before becoming Grogu’s and Ellie’s dads. Andhis breakout TV role was one of his best, making it a must-watch in the lead-up to awards season.
Pedro Pascal’s Emmy Nomination Is A Reminder To Revisit His Role In Game Of Thrones
Oberyn Martell Is Still One Of The Actor’s Best Characters
Pascal might be known forThe MandalorianandThe Last of Usthese days, but his breakout TV role was years earlier.The actor received attention and praise for playing the charming but deadly Oberyn MartellinGame of Thronesseason 4, bringing George R.R. Martin’s character to life impressively.
Oberyn’s fate inGame of Thronesensured that Pascal’s best TV role didn’t last long — but it changed the trajectory of the show and his career.
Unfortunately, Oberyn’s fate inGame of Thronesensured thatPascal’s best TV role didn’t last long— but it changed the trajectory of the show and his career.That makesGame of Thronesworth revisitingas we wait to see if Pascal will take home an Emmy forThe Last of Us.
Returning to HBO’s fantasy show will allow viewers to experience more of Pascal’s great acting;Game of Thronescertainly highlights why he’s gone on to such an impressive career. But the series also prepared him for his later hits, which have earned him his Emmy nominees. It may not seem connected, butGame of Thronesset the actor up for his later success.
Game Of Thrones Perfectly Prepared The Actor For His Later Hit Series
It Laid The Groundwork For His Roles In The Last Of Us & The Mandalorian
Game of Thronesperfectly prepared Pascal to joinThe Last of Us,as it gave the actor an opportunity to adapt a beloved character — something he’d come to do again in HBO’s take on the video game. Oberyn and Joel are incredibly different personality-wise, but both require the skill to step into an established character’s skin. And Pascal doesn’t disappoint as either.
You could argue thatGame of Thronespaved the way for Pascal to succeed inThe Mandalorian, too, as he was already familiar with joining a massive IP that came with hefty expectations. Again, hisStar Warsrole is leagues different from hisGame of Thronesone. ButPedro Pascal’s performance in HBO’s fantasy series laid the groundwork for everything that came later.
