Before he was one of the most popular actors on the planet, Pedro Pascal’s first big break came inGame of Thrones, one of the biggest shows of all time. These days, it feels likePedro Pascal is everywhere in Hollywood, and for good reason, as he is an incredibly talented actor who has proven time and again his ability to deliver a stellar performance. From Joel inThe Last of Usto Din Djarin inThe Mandalorian, Pascal has been a part of some significant blockbuster franchises.
It doesn’t stop there, either, as Pedro Pascal is set to play Mister Fantastic inthe MCU’sThe Fantastic Four: First Stepswith the actor continuing to find himself in roles for every type of fandom. Of course, there wasn’t always a time when Pascal was a household name, not gaining much traction until he appeared in a supporting role in what was considered one of thegreatest shows of all timeduring his tenure on it.
Pedro Pascal Played Oberyn Martell In Game Of Thrones
Oberyn Is The Younger Brother Of The Prince Of Dorne
WhileGame of Thronesfirst premiered in 2011, Pedro Pascal didn’t appear on the show until the season 4 premiere in 2014, whereplays Oberyn Martell, the younger brother to Doran Martell, the Prince of Dorne. Oberyn travels to King’s Landing to attend the wedding of Prince Joffrey and to strengthen Dorne’s position within the realm. Of course, there are more personal reasons for Oberyn to be there, as it is revealed thatthe driving force behind him as a character is his desire for revenge against the Lannisters, whom he blames for the death of his sister, Elia Martell.
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Following the death of Prince Joffrey, Tyrion Lannister is charged with his murder and is set to be put on trial. After Tyrion and Oberyn strike an alliance, Tyrion requests a trial by combat where Oberyn volunteers to fight for him. The rest is history, of course, as Oberyn’s fight with Gregor Clegane (The Mountain) leads to one of the most gruesome deaths in all ofGame of Thrones.
Why Oberyn Martell Was So Important To Game Of Thrones
Oberyn’s Death Set Many GoT Events In Motion
During the trial by combat, Oberyn Martell shows how skilled he is as a fighter, easily outmaneuvering The Mountain at every step. Unfortunately, after he lets his guard down,The Mountain gains an advantage over Oberyn and crushes his skull with his bare hands. Not only is this an incredibly shocking moment, as Oberyn was one of the most popular characters inGame of Thrones, but it set into motion a number of events, including Tyrion Lannister eventually killing his father, Tywin.
Game of Thronesseason 4 is largely considered one of the best, and Pascal’s performance as Oberyn is a major reason for that.
Oberyn’s death also set up the Sand Snakes plot in later seasons of the show, as his paramour, Ellaria Sand, pushes for House Martell to go to war against the Lannisters, eventually killing Cersei’s daughter, Myrcella Baratheon.Although Pedro Pascal only appeared in seven episodes ofGame of Thrones, he helped make Oberyn Martell one of the show’s most enduring characters. Oberyn Martell’s final episode is among thebest episodes inGame of Thrones, continuing to hammer home the show’s willingness to kill off beloved characters.
Game Of Thrones Was Pascal’s Breakout Role (But Not His First)
He Appeared In Shows Like Buffy The Vampire Slayer & The Good Wife
Although Oberyn Martell was Pedro Pascal’s breakout role, it wasn’t his first, as he appeared in a number of TV shows and movies before stepping into the world ofGame of Thrones. Among those are credits inBuffy the Vampire Slayer,Law & Order,The Good Wife, andGraceland. Throughout his acting career, Pascal has always shown he had what it takes to break out, and the popularity ofGame of Thrones, combined with how great of a character Oberyn Martell was, helped to push him over the edge.
Game Of Thrones
Cast
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
