Warning: This article contains spoilers forThe Last of UsPart II, the game on whichThe Last of Usseason 2 is based.

Pedro Pascal’s performance as Joel inThe Last of Usseason 2 looks to be even better than in season 1, which was already hailed as one of his best roles. Pascal had mostly had single-episode parts in TV shows before getting his career break inGame of Thronesas the charming but overconfident Oberyn Martell. Since then, while he has significantly branched out,Pedro Pascal’s best movies and TV showswere very action-driven.The Last of Ustook his talent to a new place, showing his more serious range while playing to his strengths.

Joel (Pedro Pascal) playing the guitar in The Last of Us Season 2 Teaser

Thanks to Mando and Grogu,Pedro Pascal also became known for playing dads, andThe Last of Ususes his skill at playing fatherly roles as the basis for some truly harrowing scenes. His character, Joel, loses a daughter early in the show before reluctantly gaining another one in Ellie. The role would likely be a challenge for any actor given how popular the games are, butPedro Pascal was the perfect Joel.The Last of Usseason 2 looks set to build on his success in season 1, with Pascal likely giving his best performance yet.

Joel’s First Scenes In The Last Of Us Season 2 Will Give Pedro Pascal A Lot To Work With

The Last Of Us Part II Gives Joel Some Powerful Scenes

As Joel has been keeping a large secret from Ellie while trying to keep her safe, the moment when the truth is exposed provokes a range of emotions from both main characters inThe Last of Us Part II. This mix of guilt, fear, pain, and helplessness will give Pedro Pascal a lot to work with in this scene alone. That’s not to mention the scene where Joel tells Tommy what happened, which is howPart IIopens.Additionally,Joel will certainly be in manyThe Last of Usflashbacksset between seasons 1 and 2.

Joel might even have a larger role inThe Last of Usseason 2than he does in the game. The potential flashbacks inThe Last of Usseason 2 can allow Pedro Pascal to have an even bigger presence and build Joel’s relationships with the other characters. The trailer has implied that he may only have a few scenes, but each will be significant, with two heartbreaking discussions certain to feature. When Ellie discovers Joel’s secret, their emotional discussion is a key point in the story, just like his confession to Tommy. These are all moments that will allow Pascal to shine.

Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) from The Last of Us with a PlayStation logo in the background

Pedro Pascal Will Show Even More Of His Range As Joel In The Last Of Us Season 2

The Last Of Us Season 2 Might Top Pedro Pascal’s Best Episode In Season 1

Joel is a character that has the fate of humanity under his control and makes the “egoistic” choice, which gives Pascal several opportunities to show his range.The Last of Usseason 2 sees Joel fighting his guilt over potentially depriving humanity of a cure for the virusjust to save Ellie.The Last of Usseason 2 may be different from the game, but the trailer shows that one major scene will appear in both. Joel tells Tommy, “I saved her,” while confessing what he did, which could be one of the most emotional scenes of Pedro Pascal’s career.

The Pressure Is On The Last Of Us Season 2 Thanks To Sony’s Upcoming Video Game Adaptations

The Last of Us was a massive hit for HBO when it debuted in 2023, but season 2 has a lot of pressure after PlayStation’s recent announcements.

Pedro Pascal’s best Joel scene inThe Last of Usseason 1 displays his talent for showing conflicting emotions. Pascal’s Joel is more vulnerable than the video game character, making him more relatable. Freezing when afraid, as Joel sometimes does, is a natural response, andJoel’s more vulnerable scenes were some of season 1’s best.When Joel tells Tommy about his massacre, this could be an even more intense moment for Pascal, topping season 1’s powerful scenes and potentially makingThe Last of Usseason 2 his best performance yet.

The Last of Us (2023) TV Show Pster

The Last of Us

The Last of Usis a post-apocalyptic action-adventure franchise created by Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley, developed by Naughty Dog. It centers around survivors in a world ravaged by a fungal infection turning humans into aggressive creatures. The story primarily follows Joel and Ellie in the original game, while the sequel adds new characters like Abby. The franchise includes video games, a television series, comics, and other media.