Pedro Pascal’s removal from The Last of Us during its second season has left audiences reeling, sparking a heated response among viewers despite the actor’s continuing presence in major productions. The controversy around his character’s fate dominated discussions after the episode aired, with the question of Pedro Pascal roles after The Last of Us exit now at the forefront for many fans.
Creators Address Outrage Over Joel’s Fate
The dramatic exit of Pascal’s character, Joel, occurred in the second episode of season two, inspiring disbelief and anger from fans. Craig Mazin, one of the creators, spoke candidly about the team’s decision-making process and the reaction it provoked during a recent industry event in Los Angeles. He stated,
“He did a thing. Everyone lost their s—, and then I had to do that same thing, because he did the thing, I loved doing the thing, I thought it was great,”
—Craig Mazin, Co-creator
Mazin explained that both he and Neil Druckmann were following the narrative established by the original video game. Despite sticking to the source material, the creators still faced passionate criticism from viewers for their choice to kill off such a prominent character.
The widespread dissatisfaction was further fueled by confusion about the story’s direction, prompting Mazin to respond with humor during the event:
“The big complaint that I’ve gotten is, ‘Why did you kill Pedro Pascal?’ And I keep explaining, we didn’t kill him! He’s a man, he’s alive. He’s fine. And he’s in literally everything else. So I don’t know what the problem is!”
—Craig Mazin, Co-creator
Pedro Pascal and Family React to the Shocking Storyline
Kaitlyn Dever’s portrayal of Abby, central to Joel’s demise, has kept both audiences and Pedro Pascal himself affected by the storyline. The actor has publicly admitted to feeling unsettled over the abrupt ending of his role. He told Entertainment Weekly in April that he was in “active denial” over Joel’s departure and reflected on how closely he remained tied to his castmates, despite no longer filming alongside them in the same context.
“I realize this more and more as I get older, I find myself slipping into denial that anything is over. I know that I’m forever bonded to so many members of the experience and just have to see them under different circumstances, but never will under the circumstances of playing Joel on The Last of Us,”
—Pedro Pascal, Actor
“And, no, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it because it makes me sad.”
—Pedro Pascal, Actor
The loss hit close to home for Pascal’s sister, Lux. She discussed her personal response to watching her brother’s character suffer another on-screen death, referencing the recurring nature of such losses in his career, including in Game of Thrones and Equalizer 2.
“not the first time he’s done it to me, it’s not the second time he’s done it to me. I think it’s the fourth time he’s done it to me. Because how many deaths has he had? Game of Thrones, Equalizer 2, The Last of Us — each is more violent than the other…. Seeing my brother die that way, I didn’t like it at all.”
—Lux, Sister
Pascal’s Upcoming Film and Television Projects
While fans mourn his departure from The Last of Us, Pascal continues to thrive professionally, taking on major new assignments. Craig Mazin alluded to Pascal being “in literally everything else,” and the upcoming slate proves it true.
One of the most highly anticipated films is Ari Aster’s Eddington, scheduled for release on July 18. Pascal recently promoted the film at the renowned Cannes Film Festival. This creative project follows a string of other high-profile commitments.
He will appear in Materialists, a romantic comedy featuring Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans, which will open in theaters on Friday. Pascal also steps into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portraying Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, debuting July 23, and will reprise the character for Avengers: Doomsday.
Looking Ahead for Pedro Pascal
Although the abrupt end to Joel’s journey has disappointed and angered many, Pedro Pascal remains at the center of Hollywood’s busiest projects. His willingness to embrace complex roles, even those that end in controversy or tragedy, cements his ongoing appeal across genres. With multiple major releases on the horizon, fans will have plenty of opportunities to see the actor showcase his versatility in the coming year.
As the conversation around his exit from The Last of Us continues, Pascal’s transition into new high-profile roles ensures that his presence stays strong in both television and cinema, guaranteeing more memorable moments—and possibly more shocking storylines—in the future.
