The double whammy of playing the titular bounty hunter in The Mandalorian and smuggler-turned-dad Joel Miller in The Last of Us has made Pascal one of the most recognizable and sought-after actors in the world. He’s since joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Mr. Fantastic and worked with such legendary filmmakers as Ridley Scott, Ethan Coen, Ari Aster, and Celine Song. During the Pascal resurgence, his acclaimed Netflix show should’ve gotten a lot more love. Narcos features one of Pascal’s earliest starring roles, and it’s a masterpiece of the true-crime genre.
10 Years Later, Pedro Pascal's Narcos Is Still One Of The Best Crime Shows Of All Time
Narcos Chronicles The Rise & Fall Of Pablo Escobar
In 2015, Netflix premiered a new crime drama called Narcos to critical acclaim. Set and filmed in Colombia, it chronicled the rise and fall of drug lord Pablo Escobar, notorious for being the leader of the Medellín Cartel, as he became a billionaire through the mass production and distribution of cocaine. The first season charts Escobar’s illicit business from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, and follows his interactions with DEA agents and fellow drug lords. It shows how Escobar got his start as a black marketeer before meeting Chilean chemist Mateo “Cockroach” Moreno and building a coke empire.
The series shows the investigation into Escobar’s operations through the eyes of American DEA agent Steve Murphy, played by Boyd Holbrook (who most recently stole the show as Johnny Cash in A Complete Unknown), who was a real person who consulted on the show. Upon his arrival in Colombia, Murphy is partnered up with Javier Peña, played by Pascal, who was also a real person who consulted on the show. Over the course of Narcos’ three seasons, before it got spun off into a franchise, the series charted Escobar’s downfall with riveting intensity.
Why Narcos Still Holds Up After All These Years
It's A Thrilling True-Crime Saga
A full decade after its initial premiere, Narcos is still must-see TV. Escobar is still one of the most fascinating criminals who ever lived — the power and influence he wielded was unprecedented — and this series is a compelling chronicle of how he managed to amass so much power and influence (and money). Since the actual DEA agents who led the charge against Escobar worked as consultants on the series, it’s much more historically accurate and takes far fewer artistic liberties than the average dramatization of a true crime story.
But at the same time, Narcos isn’t just a history lesson. It’s deeply cinematic, with the kind of gorgeous, immersive visuals the crew could only get by filming on location in Colombia, and it personalizes the bullet-point events of history by showing them through captivating characters. Holbrook and Pascal bring the DEA agents to life with flaws and personality, and Wagner Moura gives a truly iconic turn as Escobar.
Narcos Deserves A Resurgence Thanks To Pedro Pascal's Popularity
Last Of Us Fans Who Miss Joel Need To Give Narcos A Watch
Narcos was a big hit with viewers when it initially aired, but it feels like it should’ve had a second wind and found a whole new audience by now. Pascal has become one of the most beloved celebrities on Earth, so there should be a fresh spotlight on his past work. Joel’s death in The Last of Us has left a Pascal-shaped hole in the hearts of fans around the world. Those heartbroken fans can get their fill of Pascal by giving Narcos a watch.
