‘I Suppose I Was in an Unhealthy Mindset’: Pedro Pascal Reveals Emotional Turmoil of Playing Joel in The Last of Us Season 2

Pedro Pascal's TV takeover continues with 'SNL' hosting debut - Los Angeles Times

While viewers only have almost two weeks away from the long-awaited first episode of HBO's The Last of Us Season 2, Pedro Pascal wants fans to know how much he struggled with his character Joel and also the hard-hitting topics of filming the returning season. Pascal doesn't need much of an introduction these days, as the brilliantly talented actor has been shining in the limelight on hugely popular TV shows like Game of Thrones, Narcos, The Mandalorian, and, of course, The Last of Us. Stepping into the shoes of Joel Miller in the post-apocalyptic drama, Pascal brings life to the tough and once emotionally void survivor who begrudgingly takes on the task of smuggling Bella Ramsey's Ellie across the United States, only to later find that he cares far too much about her.

Season 2 of The Last of Us will welcome a new cast, including Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny, Jeffrey Wright and Catherine O’Hara also coming in to play Issac and Gail. Season 2 will begin five years after season one's cliffhanger ending, where viewers will see what has been happening in Jackson with Tommy and Maria and also how Joel and Ellie's relationship has become so strained. Although Season 2 will follow the events of Naughty Dog's second game in the franchise, it won't cover all of it as the TV adaptation of the sequel will look to stretch out over multiple seasons.

The Last of Us’ Pedro Pascal Opens up About His Struggle to ‘Separate What the Characters Are Going Through’

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Speaking to Variety during a press conference, Pedro Pascal revealed how he found himself in an "unhealthy mindset" while playing the character of Joel in The Last of Us Season 2. Pascal, who has been very open about his mental health struggles with anxiety, said that even though he loved coming back to the series, he found it challenging at times to differentiate between what Joel Miller was going through and his own feelings and also the emotional impact he felt from the show's other characters, where he would take on their feelings too.

"My mindset was grateful to be back and yet, at the same time, this experience, more than any other I've had, is 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. And so I kind of feel their pain. I was in an unhealthy mindset."

Pascal also touched upon the time jump in The Last of Us Season 2 and how he felt the "incredibly painful distance" this time around, as opposed to Season 1, with his co-star Bella Ramsey's character, Ellie. But he expressed that even though that harsh undertone was prevalent, he managed to make it fun with Ramsey where they were both able to lighten the mood. "That was incredibly comforting, that was like coming home," said Pascal.

The Last of Us Bella Ramsey as Ellie and Pedro Pascal as Joel shooting rifle

The Last of Us Season 2's first episode title was recently revealed, which has made some fans believe that Joel's exit from the series could be a lot sooner than expected. There's also the rumor that a big star has yet to be announced for an undisclosed character in Season 2, so the excitement for the show's return is currently at boiling point. The Last of Us Season 2 makes its premiere on HBO on April 13, 2025.