Pedro Pascal received a nomination for the Best Lead Actor Emmy for his performance in The Last of Us Season 2, despite appearing in only a few episodes. This decision has sparked debate, especially since Pascal’s character, Joel, features minimally due to a storyline that places him on an extended golfing trip. The nomination has raised questions about the criteria used to define a “lead” actor, as Pascal was present in less than half of the season‘s episodes.
The Last of Us Season 2’s Mixed Reception and Emmy Success
The Last of Us Season 2 struggled to live up to the acclaim of its first season, drawing criticism for poor adaptations of key scenes, notably from fans of the original game. Despite this, the series secured several Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series. Alongside Pascal, Bella Ramsey was nominated for Best Lead Actress, while Kaitlyn Dever and Catherine O’Hara received nods for Best Guest Actress. Joe Pantoliano and Jeffrey Wright also earned nominations for Best Guest Actor.
Comparisons and Fan Reactions Surrounding Pascal’s Nomination
Pascal’s nomination is not an isolated example of the Emmys acknowledging performers with limited screen time, as Brian Cox’s Best Lead Actor nomination for Succession’s final season drew similar scrutiny. However, this precedent does little to quell frustrations, particularly among fans of Diego Luna. Luna, who starred throughout the entirety of Andor’s latest season, was notably absent from the nominations, prompting widespread disappointment and criticism directed at Pascal’s nomination on social media.
“in 3 episodes of a poor season”
—Baileylikemovie, Twitter user
On the Andor subreddit, users expressed strong dissatisfaction, labeling the Emmy decisions unfair, emphasizing Luna’s consistent and prominent performance compared to Pascal’s limited role.
What This Means for Emmy Nominations and Future Recognition
The recognition of Pedro Pascal as a lead actor despite limited screen time highlights ongoing debates about award nomination standards, particularly in series with ensemble casts or fragmented narratives. This controversy may influence future discussions on how “lead” roles are determined and encourage closer examination of performance criteria across nominees. As the Emmy community reflects on these choices, fans and critics alike will continue monitoring how these decisions impact perceptions of fairness in awards recognition.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is Pedro Pascal in so many memes?
A. The meme comes from the movie “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,” featuring Nicholas Cage and Pedro Pascal. Unlike the Snack Wars meme, it wasn’t as popular on TikTok. However, this meme gained a lot of attention on Reddit and YouTube instead.
Q. Can Pedro Pascal actually speak Spanish?
A. Pascal is really good at both English and Spanish. After he moved to New York City in 1993, he quickly became good friends with actress Sarah Paulson.
Q. Is Pedro Pascal friends with Nicolas Cage?
A. Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal discuss their friendship in the movie “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.”
Q. Is Pedro Pascal’s religion?
A. During the filming of “The Last of Us,” he grew to be good friends with Bella Ramsey, describing them both as “linked souls.” Pascal describes himself as an agnostic and a progressive liberal.
