In a way that isn't very healthy: Pedro Pascal on mental toll from his character in 'The Last Of Us' series

ANI April 7, 2025 264 views

Pedro Pascal has candidly discussed the intense emotional challenges of portraying Joel in HBO's 'The Last of Us'. The actor revealed how deeply he connects with his character's protective nature, experiencing a profound mental and emotional impact that he describes as "unhealthy". His vulnerability highlights the psychological demands of method acting and the immersive nature of complex dramatic roles. Pascal's commitment to understanding Joel's emotional landscape demonstrates his dedication to authentic storytelling.

"It's hard for me to separate what the characters are going through and how it makes me feel." - Pedro Pascal
Washington DC, April 7: The American post-apocalyptic drama 'The Last of Us' has resulted in an 'unhealthy mindset' for the lead actor of the series Pedro Pascal as it is hard for him to separate the emotional pain of the characters from reel to real life, reported People.

Key Points

1

Pascal explores deep emotional connection to protective father character

2

Mental toll of role reveals actor's intense method approach

3

HBO series returns with highly anticipated second season

4

Character Joel resonates with Pascal's personal protective instincts

Pedro Pascal plays the character of a strong-willed and protective father figure to Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey amidst a world-shaking apocalypse in the series.

During a press conference, the actor shared that he can relate to the protective qualities of his character Joel in real life, leading to mental toll and unhealthy mindset.

"I'm pretty fiercely protective. I'm protective of the people that I love. And I think that's probably the main component that I relate to." said Pascal as quoted by People Magazine.

Pascal also acknowledged the mental toll that comes with playing a character such as Joel, saying,

"It's this experience, more than any I've had. It's hard for me to separate what the characters are going through and how it makes me feel. In a way that isn't very healthy," he continued as quoted by People.

"And so, I kind of feel their pain I suppose, so I suppose I was in an unhealthy mindset," 'The Last of Us' actor added ahead of the premiere of the second season of the series on HBO on April 13.

He seemed eager for the hit show's second season, which is based on the video game The Last of Us and credited the series' success to the work that went into its production.

"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," Pascal said.

HBO unveiled the first official trailer for the highly anticipated second season at SXSW, last month, giving fans a glimpse of what's to come, which will feature intense action, new characters, and dangerous threats.

The trailer begins with Ellie (Bella Ramsey) sneaking through an abandoned building, looking tense as she moves carefully over broken glass. A dog can be seen in the background, and the scene quickly shifts to a mysterious graveyard with wooden crosses draped in medallions.

The show, based on the popular PlayStation game by Naughty Dog, will return with its second season on April 13, 2025.

Reader Comments

S
Sarah L.
It's so brave of Pedro to open up about this. Acting at this level must be emotionally exhausting. Hope he's taking care of himself while giving us such incredible performances 💙
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Mike T.
This is why his performance feels so authentic! You can tell he really connects with Joel on a deep level. Can't wait for season 2!
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Javier R.
While I admire his dedication, I hope HBO is providing proper mental health support for their actors. The industry needs to take this seriously.
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Emma K.
His portrayal of Joel is perfection, but I worry about actors who take roles this heavy. Maybe shorter shooting schedules would help? 🤔
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Trevor S.
Respectfully, while I understand method acting has its place, I hope Pascal finds a way to separate himself more. No role is worth sacrificing mental health.
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Aisha B.
This makes me appreciate his performance even more! The way he conveys Joel's pain is so raw and real. But please take care, Pedro! We want you healthy for many more seasons ❤️

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Pedro Pascal The Last of Us HBO TV Series Bella Ramsey Joel Character Mental Health Acting
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