Pedro Pascal Says The Last of Us ‘Created a New Chapter in My Life in a Profound Way’

It’s no stretch to say that Pedro Pascal’s career is running on all cylinders.

With his 2025 roles as the elastic hero Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps and as the hardened survivor Joel Miller in The Last of Us, Pascal has a big year ahead of him.

The 49-year-old Game of Thrones alum reflected on his new level of fame during a March 24 virtual critics press conference for the post-apocalyptic drama’s second season, which premieres April 13 on HBO and Max.

“This job definitely created a new chapter in my life in a profound way,” Pascal said of The Last of Us. “I think because of the personal experience I had making the show. And then, of course, the way the show was received … in a way that is in measure with, like, how deeply important it means to all of us is a rare thing. It will never happen again.”

Pascal also remembered moments making the show with series co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, as well as castmates Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Kaitlyn Dever, Young Mazino and Isabela Merced, who all also participated in the presser moderated by Variety’s Jazz Tangcay.

Pascal recalled “the way I remember meeting Craig and Neil for the first time, the way I remember getting the job, the way I remember getting to Alberta, [Gabriel’s] FaceTime, [Bella and I] on set for the first time.”

The HBO series, which debuted in January 2023, is based on the 2013 video game of the same name. The first season primarily focused on Pascal’s character Joel and Ramsey’s teen character Ellie crossing the U.S. together — with Joel protecting Ellie since she is immune to the fungus infection ravaging their post-apocalyptic world.

The upcoming second season, which will likely include plot points from 2020’s The Last of Us Part II game, will introduce Dever’s soldier character Abby and other new supporting cast members, such as Catherine O’Hara.

Pascal also recalled meeting Dever, 28, for the first time on set during the event.

“It was like, I admired — have admired — your work for so many years and was just like, I couldn’t believe I got to be in scenes with you,” Pascal said, to which the Dopesick actress replied, “Same,” while rubbing him on the shoulder appreciatively.

“You’re welcome. It was really something. It really was,” Pascal added.

The series earned 24 nominations at the 2023 Emmys and won eight of those awards, including outstanding guest actress (Storm Reid), guest actor (Nick Offerman), picture editing, main title design, prosthetic makeup, sound editing, sound mixing and visual effects.