Narcos Is Even Better Than Pedro Pascal’s The Last Of Us

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Pedro Pascal has become incredibly popular over the last ten years, and 2025 promises to be another big year with four significant roles already lined up. While he recently joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Reed Richards, many consider his work on season two of The Last of Us to be his most noteworthy achievement, as the HBO adaptation of the video game has become a huge success.

The first season of the show was a huge success for the network, becoming its most-watched debut ever. Although opinions on the second season were mixed, Pedro Pascal continued to deliver a strong performance. Despite a slight slowdown in the second season, many fans still consider the show a brilliant achievement and the highlight of Pascal’s career.

Before becoming famous for roles in zombie shows or Marvel movies, Pedro Pascal starred in the popular Netflix series Narcos. The three-season crime drama was a huge success, becoming a viral hit, and Pascal’s powerful performance was key to its widespread acclaim and high ratings, solidifying its place as one of the best shows of the decade.

Narcos Remains Pedro Pascal’s Best TV Role 10 Years Later

Everyone knew a show about Pablo Escobar’s drug cartel could be popular, but few predicted just how big Narcos would become when it premiered in 2015. The show is critically acclaimed, boasting an 8.7 rating on IMDb, and nearly every episode has earned a score of 8.0 or higher. Critics also loved it, as reflected in its strong Rotten Tomatoes scores.

With critics giving it a score of 89

Pedro Pascal brilliantly portrayed Javier Peña’s intense drive to uncover corruption in Colombia. The show depicts Peña going to great lengths – even breaking the rules and quitting his job – to reveal the truth. While the series dramatizes how far Peña went, it gave Pascal the opportunity to create a particularly compelling and energetic performance.

Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Javier Peña in Narcos wasn’t afraid to show the character’s imperfections, even as it emphasized his genuine desire to make a difference, regardless of the sacrifices he made. His powerful and emotional performance was crucial to the show’s success on the streaming platform, and it will be hard for any actor to top it.

Why Narcos’ Success Was So Important To Netflix

Netflix helped create the world of streaming, and that’s why it still has the most subscribers. Shows like House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black were key to establishing Netflix as a real alternative to traditional cable TV, and Narcos quickly followed, building on that success.

Before shows like Stranger Things and 13 Reasons Why became popular, Narcos demonstrated Netflix’s ability to turn true stories into compelling dramas—a winning approach they’ve used ever since. While many shows contributed to Netflix’s success, Narcos was arguably one of the most influential.

The platform didn’t depend on already-famous franchises or celebrities, but its productions also weren’t low-quality. Because the story of the Medellín Cartel has always captivated audiences, Netflix’s decision to work with real DEA agents Javier Peña and Steve Murphy demonstrated their commitment to creating a truthful and accurate true-crime series about the events.

The raw and realistic style of Narcos quickly made it incredibly popular, attracting new viewers and establishing Netflix as a leading entertainment company. The show also boosted Pedro Pascal’s career, turning him into a well-known actor, and his success continues to grow.

The Last Of Us Helped Cement Pedro Pascal As One Of Hollywood’s Biggest Actors

While roles in Game of Thrones and Narcos boosted Pedro Pascal’s career, it was The Last of Us that cemented his status as a major Hollywood star. He continued to gain recognition after Narcos with appearances in films like Kingsman: The Golden Circle and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, as well as the popular series The Mandalorian.

While directing popular Star Wars shows was a major achievement for Pascal, his role in The Last of Us truly made him a household name. Since then, his career has exploded, and he’s constantly working, with six more projects already planned.

I really think he’s going to become a major player in the MCU, and honestly, The Last of Us really set the stage for him. That show was huge for his career! It’s no surprise Pedro Pascal was the most talked-about actor of 2025 – the same year The Last of Us season two came out. He’s definitely cemented his status as a top-tier actor now.

While shows like Narcos helped launch Netflix, and The Last of Us certainly boosted his profile, Pedro Pascal was already a talented actor. His role as Joel, a beloved character from the video game, connected with a wide audience, and his success has continued to grow ever since.

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2026-01-04 18:29