Pedro Pascal's Best TV Role Didn't Last Long, But It Changed The Show Forever

Pedro Pascal in The Last of Us

For many fans of the actor, anything that Pedro Pascal is in is worth watching, even if he's only onscreen for a short time. There are some performers who are so dynamic and unforgettable that no matter when their character leaves the series, they leave a lasting mark, and this has been the case with almost all of Pascal's roles.

Pascal's best movies and TV shows have been part of a wide variety of genres, showcasing his talent for disappearing into the world of a show, no matter how famous he becomes. This makes it even more fun to revisit some of his early, breakout roles that helped cement Pascal as a talent to watch in both film and television.

It's true that Pascal has some underrated TV roles, as the actor has been working steadily for many years, leading to his explosion in popularity over the past few years. When a performer is so fun to watch that audiences still remember his single-season appearance in an acclaimed series full of iconic and skilled actors, it's worth taking notice.

Oberyn Martell Was Pedro Pascal's Best TV Role, But His Performance Was Short-Lived

Oberyn Martell Was A Highlight Of GOT Season 4

Pedro Pascal in yellow outfit as Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones

Introduced in Game of Thrones season 4, Pascal was the perfect choice to bring Oberyn Martell to life. As the younger brother of the Prince of Dorne, Oberyn joins the cast at an interesting time for the series, shaking things up and bringing new cultural sensibilities to King's Landing. However, like the rest of the characters, Oberyn has ulterior motives for everything he does.

Pascal did an amazing job of differentiating himself and his character from the other individuals in Game of Thrones, making his quest for revenge and power feel original. When he came to Westeros' seat of power, Oberyn was determined to get revenge for the death of his sister, who the audience finds out was murdered by the Mountain during Robert's rebellion.

In the years after Pascal left Game of Thrones, the actor has been a part of many other iconic TV shows, including his recent performances in The Last of Us and Narcos. While his characters are more prominent in these projects, it's hard to argue that playing Oberyn in Game of Thrones is some of his best work to date.

It Was Inevitable That Pedro Pascal Would Only Be In One Season Of Game Of Thrones

Oberyn Was Never Going To Be A Long-Lasting Character In GOT

Pascal's character deaths in movies and TV shows have been numerous, with his recent turn as Joel in The Last of Us coming close to the emotional devastation sparked by Oberyn's death. For fans of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, it wasn't a surprise when Oberyn died during his duel with the Mountain, but knowing it was coming didn't make it hurt any less.

Thanks to Pascal's commitment to the role and the fact that he stole every scene he was in, it was easy to hold out hope that the series might alter the source material and keep him around for a long time. Of course, this never could have happened, as it would have shifted the course of the show, but it speaks to Pascal's ability to stand out onscreen.

While Pascal's performance had a lot to do with Oberyn's popularity, the character himself was one that audiences could instantly empathize with. More loose and open in terms of his sexuality and approach to leading his people, Oberyn was a breath of fresh air compared to the calculating Lannisters who held power in King's Landing for so long.

Title	Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score	Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Game of Thrones (2011–2019)	89%	85%

Despite Oberyn's Short Storyline, His Character Changed Game Of Thrones Forever

Oberyn's Impact On The Story Can't Be Overlooked

Oberyn Martell and The Mountain fighting in Game of Thrones

Though it's also the case in the books, the long-term impact of Oberyn's time in King's Landing goes on to change the shape of the story. Agreeing to be Tyrion's champion, though this proves to be a misstep for Tyrion, and the fact that he nearly kills the Mountain through the poisoned blade he used in their duel sets the narrative on a new path.

It's almost impossible to imagine what would have happened if Oberyn hadn't been part of Game of Thrones. After Oberyn dies during the combat, Tyrion leaves King's Landing and eventually joins Daenerys, but not before killing his father, Tywin Lannister. Though this is an intense sequence of events for Tyrion, it's instrumental in helping Daenerys return to Westeros.

It's not a stretch to see why Dorne was outraged after his death, and feel his absence in the story after Oberyn falls in battle.

As always, Pedro Pascal brings his charm and talent to his work as Oberyn in Game of Thrones, making audiences instantly fall in love with him. It's not a stretch to see why Dorne was outraged after his death, and feel his absence in the story after Oberyn falls in battle. It's significant that his short tenure made waves for the narrative and his career.