Pedro Pascal has finally broken his silence about that emotional twist in The Last of Us — and fans aren’t the only ones still reeling. The actor, who plays Joel Miller in the hit HBO series, revealed in a new interview that he’s still not ready to fully process what happened in the upcoming Season 2 storyline.
“I’m in active denial,” Pascal told Entertainment Weekly when asked about the fate of his character. “I know what’s coming, but my brain refuses to accept it.”
If you’re a fan of the original Last of Us Part II video game, you already know the shocking turn Joel’s story takes. For those trying to avoid spoilers, let’s just say things get very emotional, very fast. The plot twist rocked the gaming world when the sequel dropped in 2020, and now that the HBO series is gearing up to adapt that part of the story, the tension is rising again.
Pascal didn’t confirm anything outright — no spoilers here — but his tone made it clear he’s as heartbroken as viewers will likely be.
“It’s a beautiful story, and I trust the creators completely,” he added. “But as someone who loves this character deeply, it’s hard not to want to rewrite fate.”
Season 1 of The Last of Us received massive critical acclaim, with Pascal’s performance praised for its raw emotion and complexity. Now, as Season 2 begins filming, fans are both excited and terrified about what’s to come.
Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie, recently shared a similar sentiment, admitting that filming the next season will be “the toughest challenge emotionally.” Both stars have formed a close bond off-screen, making the events of Season 2 even more gut-wrenching.
Social media exploded after Pascal’s comments, with fans begging HBO to “change the story” or “find a way around it.” But showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have previously stated they plan to stay true to the original game’s narrative, no matter how painful.
Whether you’re team “stick to the source” or “save Joel at all costs,” one thing’s clear: The Last of Us is about to break hearts all over again — including Pedro Pascal’s.
So, grab the tissues, because even the man behind Joel isn’t ready to say goodbye.