The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal reveals how his character Joel Miller in the record-breaking HBO series breaks the typical perceptions surrounding masculinity, endearing him to audiences.
While appearing on First We Feast's Hot Ones, Pascal opened up about how Joel possesses strong emotional nuance, contrary to his hardened exterior as a middle-aged survivor consumed by his past. When asked how Pascal balances Joel's heroic traits with his warmness when playing him on show, the acclaimed actor said, "I think that there's a funny thing about a very, sort of, restricted exterior that is typical for these kinds of male archetypes...' don't show your feelings,' 'people will see that you're weak,' survival is key,' 'don't let anybody in,'" he said. "Developing human connection is not, at least in his mind, key to survival. But then, only to discover that he cannot live without it at any cost."
Pedro Pascal's Reputation as a TV Dad
Pascal's comments add to his growing reputation as one of TV's best father figures. The Last of Us primarily chronicles Joel's bond with Ellie (Bella Ramsey) after Joel smuggles Ellie through a quarantine zone and across to the U.S. in a desperate attempt to stop the Cordyceps infection plaguing Earth. While battling his personal traumas and fears, he shows warmth towards Ellie, allowing them to form a trusting bond in their quest for survival as Joel does his best to protect her at all costs. In Season 1, Episode 8, "When We Are in Need," Joel and Ellie reunite in one of its heartiest scenes, further showing Joel's human side. However, the reunion was a bit different from the eponymous video game, as co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann admitted.
In addition to Nick Offerman, Gabriel Luna and Storm Reid, The Last of Us features Troy Baker, who played Joel in the video game series. Though Baker initially objected to the idea of the game translating to the small screen, seeing it play out changed his mind. Baker appeared in "When We Are in Need" as James, a leading member of a cannibalistic and cultist survivor group who featured alongside one of The Last of Us' main antagonists in David (Scott Shepherd).
Fans will get to see more of Pascal and co. beyond Season 1 as The Last of Us was officially renewed this past January, with filming possibly starting later this year. Meanwhile, viewers can tune in to see the Season 1 finale of The Last of Us, "Look for the Light," on Mar. 12 at 9 p.m. ET via HBO and HBO Max.
Source: Hot Ones via YouTube