Pedro Pascal Explains Why ‘The Last of Us’ Role Puts Him In “Unhealthy Mindset”

Although The Last of Us drags viewers through the emotional depths of the human experience, none go through it quite possibly as much as star Pedro Pascal.

The Golden Globe nominee recently explained why the series, which returns to Max for Season 2 on April 13, puts him in “an unhealthy mindset” as he reprises his role as post-apocalyptic smuggler Joel Miller.

“It’s this experience, more than any I’ve had. It’s hard for me to separate what the characters are going through and how it makes me feel,” he told People.

“In a way that isn’t very healthy,” added Pascal. “And so, I kind of feel their pain I suppose, so I suppose I was in an unhealthy mindset.”

After the Season 1 finale saw Joel riding off with an unconscious Ellie (Bella Ramsey), saving her from scientists that planned to experiment on her to find a cure for the Cordyceps infection, Pascal noted it’s the “fiercely protective” nature of the character that he relates to most.

“I think that storytelling is cathartic in so many ways, always has been,” explained Pascal. “It’s the way that the human beings have made testimony to life.”

At this weekend’s Deadline Contenders TV event, Ramsey noted that there’s “definitely some doubt” between Ellie and Joel this season, “so I think that plays a big part in the shift in the relationship.”

“It’s really difficult playing being cold to him … it’s sadder for sure,” added Ramsey about the emotional toll of the show. “And it will continue to just get sadder and more cold … so look forward to that.”