The beloved actor Pedro Pascal, who played Joel Miller in the HBO series ‘The Last of Us,’ has talked about how his attitude in real life fits in with the protective aspect of his character. The Hollywood star discussed how he can identify with Joel’s intense protectiveness of Ellie (played by Bella Ramsey), particularly in a post-apocalyptic world, ahead of the much awaited season 2 launch on April 13
Pascal, 50, stated, “I’m pretty fiercely protective,” at a news conference with the actors. “I defend the people I care about.” And I believe that to be the primary element with which I identify.” Pedro plays Joel, a father figure dedicated to protecting Ellie as they traverse the perils of a world devastated by a catastrophic virus.
The actor said that playing Joel has been unlike any other experience he’s experienced, indicating that the job has had a profound emotional impact on him. “It’s hard for me to separate what the characters are going through and how it makes me feel,” he said. “In a manner that’s not particularly healthful. I guess I was in a bad frame of mind since I can sort of feel their suffering.”
Pedro said he is excited for season 2, which will take place after the events of ‘The Last of Us Part II,’ the video game’s sequel, despite the difficulties of playing such an emotionally complicated character.
“I think there’s something that is really exciting about basically giving everyone another season of a show that everyone loved and that everyone has worked so hard on and has put so much into,” Pedro stated.
Pedro has also thought about the “cathartic” aspect of narrative as a result of filming the series. “I think that storytelling is cathartic in so many ways, always has been,” he stated. “It’s the way that human beings have made testimony to life.” Pedro thinks that “The Last of Us” gives viewers a “healthy and sometimes sick pleasure” by illustrating the intricacy of interpersonal interactions in trying situations. He also underlined how the show provides a forum for social and political allegory, enabling viewers to make analogies between the show’s fictional world and our own.
