Even though fans have to wait until February 2023 to see Pascal back in action as Star Wars television universe.
Throughout his career, which started back in 1999 with appearances on multiple shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Pedro Pascal has earned a reputation as an actor that brings an impressive mix of subtle emotion and larger-than-life charisma to any role that he steps into. The majority of his shows have been critically acclaimed, too, helping highlight Pascal's talents as an actor.
The Mandalorian: 71
The Mandalorian was the first live-action Star Wars television series, debuting in 2019 on Disney+. Pedro Pascal's performance as a lone bounty hunter named Din Djarin, who forms a life-changing bond with a mysterious alien creature initially called "The Child" offers great emotional heart from a galaxy far, far away.
Despite the Mandalorian character being a man of few words, Pascal's powerful performance helped his character become one of the most beloved in the entire Star Wars franchise. His character's stoic mannerisms paired with the heartwarming design and characteristics of Grogu's puppeteering make for a compelling watch. Their chemistry means that viewers can't help but root for the duo to stick together in the fight against the remnants of the Empire.
Without a Trace: 75
Pascal was only in one episode ("Candy") of this crime-drama series in 2006. He played Kyle, a seemingly friendly stranger who quickly turns violent in his pursuit of money. His character arouses the suspicion of Special Agent Elena Delgado while working undercover as an exotic dancer at a nightclub.
Pascal is no stranger to playing antagonists, with his appearance on the CBS series one of many he has played throughout his career. Following his appearance on the show, he played villains in major blockbusters such as The Equalizer 2.
Nurse Jackie: 75
Nurse Jackie was another one of Pedro Pascal's guest roles, appearing in a 2010 episode named "Twitter." Pascal plays Steve, a concerned father of a young boy with a mysterious respiratory condition similar to cystic fibrosis, before becoming embroiled in controversy when Nurse Jackie lets his son walk away with a false diagnosis.
Nurse Jackie remained well-liked during its six year run, scoring multiple Golden Globe and Emmy Awards. Pascal's performance is one example of the drama's portrayal of the many failures of the medical system and the devastating impact of Nurse Jackie's addiction in the workplace.
Narcos: 77
When Narcos was released on Netflix in August 2015, it was the most-watched Netflix original series of its time (per Observer). The drama, based on real events, follows American Drug Enforcement istration (DEA) agents in Colombia in their pursuit of legendary drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. Pascal played Javier Peña, a DEA agent tasked with pursuing the Medellin and Cali Cartels.
The Netflix original series is the first show in which Pascal played a leading role. His performance as Peña, a rogue agent who often breaks the Department of Justice's rules to make breakthroughs in his case against cartels, makes for a fascinating watch. His tough-as-leather character with a secret soft spot keeps viewers hooked as the unpredictable plot unfolds.
Lights Out: 79
Lights Out was a short-lived FX series following a retired world champion boxer, Patrick "Lights" Leary. Pascal appeared for the first four episodes as an ambitious young middleweight boxer, Omar "The Armenian Avenger" Assarian, who loses a big fight Lights has bet on and trained him for.
Although the sports tv show was canceled due to low viewership, critics warmly received the show, and it is considered a hidden gem of the genre. Omar's involvement in the gambling failure resulting from his unsuccessful fight helped highlight the darker side of sports and its monetisation.
Homeland: 81
Homeland follows Carrie Mathison (played by Claire Danes), a CIA officer assigned to the intelligence service's counterterrorism unit. Mathison's bipolar disorder diagnosis and how the condition affected her role in counterterrorism helped make the series one of the biggest shows of the 2010s.
Pascal starred in the first episode of the popular Showtime drama's third season as David Portillo, the Majority Counsel who scrutinizes Carrie's dedication to the CIA's operations. Although only appearing for one episode, Pascal's role was central to the aftermath of Carrie's perceived failure to prevent a terror attack against the CIA.
The Good Wife: 81
The Good Wife was a popular political-legal drama that boasted an impressive ensemble cast, including Pedro Pascal in seasons 1 and 2. The show was one of the biggest shows of the 2010s, running for seven years and won five Emmy Awards before it spawned The Good Fight spin-off.
Pascal played Nathan Landry, an assistant state attorney who went up against protagonist Alicia Florrick as she attempts to free her husband from prison. Pascal's popular performance and integral role to the show's early season's meant he played a frequently recurring role in a multi-season arc.
NYPD Blue: 83
NYPD Blue is a long-running police drama that hosted a series of guest roles for many actors before they came major stars, such as Lucy Liu and David Schwimmer. This includes Pedro Pascal, who appeared in a 2001 episode as Shane "Dio" Morrissey, an arrogant young goth turned killer cult leader.
NYPD Blue was the first of many police dramas Pascal has starred in. He later appeared in all three main Law & Order shows, often playing villainous criminals. His enigmatic charisma, paired with his unique acting talents, are clear in Dio and offer a glimpse into a bright future acting career playing multiple antagonistic roles.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: 85
Few actors have a cooler first role in a major television series than Pedro Pascal's appearance in the cult classic supernatural series Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Pascal's Buffy, but it is a fun role for a young actor starting his career in 1999. He is credited in the episode as Pedro Balmaceda, his paternal surname. Pascal played Eddie, a sweet-natured teen boy who Buffy Summers strikes up a bond with as she navigates her first days at college.
Eddie seems like a sweet potential boyfriend for Buffy, but then disaster strikes as he vanishes from campus, having been turned by a gang of vampires. The new Eddie tries to attack Buffy before she hits him with her stake. Pascal's early venture into television couldn't have come in a more beloved show of its time, as the cult 90s show has a large following and influence to this day, and his death by Buffy's infamous stake is as iconic a guest appearance as one can get.
Game of Thrones: 86
Perhaps it is most fitting that the show that helped launch Pedro Pascal's career to new heights is the most acclaimed. Pascal appeared for seven episodes in the show's 4th season in 2014, and within that time sealed his character, Oberyn Martell, as one of the most beloved characters in the history of the series. Oberyn is a quick-witted, ionate prince from the kingdom of Drone, whose love for women, men, and vengeance is equal only to his hatred of the Lannisters.
Oberyn Martell's streak of luck is brought to a swift end in a duel with The Mountain, when attempting to get the knight to confess to the deaths of his sister and her children, has his eyes gouged out and his head crushed into pieces. Pedro Pascal can also boast a difficult feat for Game of Thrones - as he holds the crown for arguably the most gruesome death in the show's history, helping seal his character's legacy in the global phenomenon known for its often-extreme violence.