After wrapping up a powerful and Emmy-nominated turn as Joel in HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2, Pedro Pascal isn’t slowing down. The show, which captivated audiences with its emotional depth and post-apocalyptic storytelling, helped solidify Pascal’s standing as one of today’s most compelling actors. His portrayal of Joel—especially through meaningful flashbacks in Season 2’s later episodes—gave fans a deeper look into his complex relationship with Ellie and became a defining moment for the series.
Pascal described the experience as intense and emotionally demanding. He shared that playing Joel’s character again for the second season was cathartic but also challenging, blurring the lines between the character’s pain and his own feelings. “It’s not necessarily healthy,” he admitted, explaining how the role pulled him deep into a difficult mental space. Despite the hardship, Pascal expressed gratitude for the opportunity, reflecting on the rarity of a show being received with such overwhelming love and importance.
Now, Pascal is gearing up for a fresh challenge, stepping into the limelight for Behemoth, a new project written and directed by Tony Gilroy, long praised for his knack for gripping storytelling. Gilroy, known for his work on major hits like the Bourne series and the finale of Andor, is set to helm this new film under Searchlight Pictures. Details about Behemoth are currently under wraps, but Gilroy has teased that it centers around the life of a cellist, promising a unique narrative departure from Pascal’s recent roles.
The collaboration is highly anticipated given Pascal’s recent run of successes, which include starring in widely acclaimed films and TV series, plus upcoming appearances in major franchises, like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 2025 has been a banner year for him, with three major film releases drawing strong reviews and box office numbers plus the Emmy nod for The Last of Us Season 2, cementing his place among Hollywood’s elite.
The timing of Pascal’s next project couldn’t be better. With principal photography for Behemoth starting this fall in Los Angeles, fans are already speculating what kind of character Pascal will bring to life. Will this project show a softer, more artistic side aligned with the musical theme hinted at, or will it deliver the intense and layered performance audiences have come to expect? The mystery is part of the excitement.
Meanwhile, the legacy of his role as Joel continues to ripple through pop culture. His scenes with co-star Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie, have been widely praised for their emotional truth and rawness. Pascal and Ramsey have described their working relationship as close, highlighting the camaraderie that helped bring such grounded performances to the screen. The show’s depiction of grief, survival, and complex human bonds—often embodied by Pascal’s nuanced portrayal—remain a topic of conversation among fans and critics alike.
Pascal has also faced personal limelight beyond his professional work. Recently, his supposed romantic ties with Jennifer Aniston stirred headlines, though Pascal clarified that their connection is purely friendship, emphasizing the importance of boundaries between his personal and public life.
With The Last of Us continuing to stream globally and anticipation building for the next chapters in Pascal’s career, Behemoth represents an exciting new frontier. Fans can expect another layer of Pascal’s talent to unfold under Tony Gilroy’s direction, adding yet another notable entry to his growing filmography.
As Pascal prepares for this next big step, the entertainment world is watching closely—keen to see how the actor who brought Joel’s tragic, human story to life will tackle the new story that awaits in Behemoth.
