A new role in the HBO adaptation of beloved queer zombie game The Last of Us has sent Chilean-born actor Pedro Pascal hurtling into the public discourse. He literally kills it (or them) as Joel Miller, a man hardened by the post-apocalyptic nature of things until a teenager whose blood might just be able to save the world comes into his life. Cue the actor hosting a hilarious episode of SNL, the world discovering his decades-long friendships with Sarah Paulson and Oscar Isaac, and the proclamation that he is, in fact, everybody’s cool slutty daddy. But, of course, Pedro isn’t new to the acting game. In the late 90s, he embraced his twink era for an MTV show called Undressed, before playing a doomed student in Buffy the Vampire Slayer alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar. Since then, he’s had his skull crushed as Game of Thrones’ Oberyn Martell back in 2014; hunted cartels as DEA agent Javier Pena in Narcos; and just masked up for his third season of the titular character in Disney+’s Star Wars spin-off, The Mandalorian.
As well as for his acting and adorable friendship with The Last of Us co-star Bella Ramsey, all eyes are currently on Pedro’s fashion sense. While off-duty he’s typically seen in jeans, New Balance, vintage band tees (Fleetwood Mac, Styx, Bruce Springsteen) and wired headphones, his numerous red carpet looks have recently evolved from sleek dark suits to more adventurous, attention-grabbing looks by the likes of Gucci and Acne Studios. Forgoing contacts for a variety of statement frames, his aesthetic is typically centred around bold, 70s-style glasses.
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Before diving headfirst into his recent show-stoppers, we’ll leave you with the words of Pedro’s The Last Of Us co-star Melanie Lynskey (Shauna in Yellowjackets), who perhaps put it best when she recently told an interviewer: “He’s such a dreamboat. He’s kind – he looks you in the eye and you feel like no one else is in the room when he’s talking to you. He’s very funny. He’s very handsome. He’s so talented. He dresses amazingly. There’s just nothing wrong with him. He’s just a perfect person.”
Here are some of his most iconic outfits.
With Sarah Paulson in NYC, 2008
Pedro and his best friend Sarah (American Horror Story, Ratched) met in 1993, when he had just moved to New York as a young actor. After being introduced by mutual friends, the duo had a wild night in which they cried through the movie Fearless together, fanned out after spotting Woody Harrelson in Central Park and got hit by a cab. The sort of stuff that’ll bond you, basically. Seen here at the opening night performance of In The Heights on Broadway, Pedro looks youthful in a cool jeans and shirt combo, smartened up with his best leather moto-chic jacket. Besties that colour-coordinate together, stay together.
At the Met Gala, 2019
Remember when the Met Gala’s theme was “Celebrating Camp” and a lot of people didn’t seem to understand the meaning of the word? Pedro approached it with understated class in his caramel-coloured Burberry suit with satin lapels and silver wire-rimmed aviator glasses. And just look at that goatee! An early foray into statement fashion looks from Pedro, and we love it.
Presenting at the BAFTAs, 2021
In April 2021, just as England was exiting its third national lockdown, Pedro turned up in London to smize in front of the BAFTA’s step and repeat board at the Royal Albert Hall. There to present an award at the 74th iteration of the show, Pedro looked chic as hell in a long, single-breasted black Prada coat over a buttoned-up white shirt. He broke the event’s black tie dress code, deciding instead to keep the look clean and minimal.
With Bella Ramsey in LA, 2023
Linking arms with his young TLOU co-star and new bestie Bella Ramsey — or “Bellie” as he apparently calls her, incorporating her character Ellie’s name — Pedro was followed by paparazzi in Los Angeles earlier this year, and presumably ever since. Wearing an embroidered shirt from ethical Budapest-based fashion house Nanushka, he and Bella are twinning with their boxy frames, jeans and shirt combo.
At the London premiere of Season 3 of The Mandalorian, 2023
Braving central London for the premiere of S3 of The Mandalorian in February, Pedro wore a full Acne Studios look comprising a brown crochet cardigan and cherry red tailored trousers with a pair of polished leather Chelsea boots by Adieu. The colours! The textures! The confident stance! Pedro clearly felt at home in this bold but stylish ensemble.
Leaving an interview in London, 2023
Ok, Pedro’s casual looks are getting less casual by the month. Seen leaving BBC Radio 2’s HQ after an interview in February, he sported an almost chainmail-like silver lame knit cardigan by 4S DESIGNS over what appears to be a sheer mesh top. Five stars to stylist Julie Ragolia. The actor accessories with what is likely his now-viral go-to Starbucks order, an Iced Quad Espresso, aka six shots of the good stuff. Buzzing.
At the LA premiere of season 3 of The Mandalorian, 2023
Pedro went all out Gucci for the LA premiere of his show at the El Capitan Theatre in late February. In wide-legged trousers with a pale yellow blouse and sunshine-coloured sweater tied over his shoulders, his oversized glasses made him look straight out of a campaign for the Italian fashion house.