Will Pedro Pascal Submit Emmys Lead or Supporting for The Last of Us?

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers from the second episode of "The Last of Us" Season 2.

Pedro Pascal’s fate in the upcoming Emmy Awards race is up in the air as HBO/Max and his awards team deliberate on which category best suits his performance in Season 2 of "The Last of Us": lead drama actor or supporting.

Pascal’s portrayal of Joel Miller in the post-apocalyptic drama is receiving critical acclaim once again this season. However, in the latest episode titled "Through the Valley," Joel’s storyline takes a dramatic turn. He saves Abby from a horde of infected, only to be led into a trap where Abby brutally beats him with a golf club and ultimately stabs him in the neck. This shocking turn of events has left fans wondering about Pascal’s future in the series.

While the episode follows the events of the video game the series is based on, there is still a possibility for Pascal to appear in later episodes through flashbacks. However, new Emmy rules may complicate his submission for consideration. The recent rule change by the Television Academy disqualifies Pascal from competing in the guest actor category if he has previously been nominated in lead or supporting categories. This decision will be crucial for Pascal’s team as they decide on his submission category.

Sources close to Pascal and HBO/Max have not finalized the submission choice yet, but speculation is mounting that he may once again vie for a nomination in the lead actor category. This decision comes with both prestige and pressure, especially after Pascal’s historic nominations in 2023.

If Pascal chooses to compete in the lead actor category, he will face stiff competition from actors like Adam Scott and Noah Wyle. On the other hand, the supporting actor category is also filled with talented contenders, but a potential vote-split could work in Pascal’s favor.

Pascal’s co-star Young Mazino is the only other confirmed actor for the supporting race, while the status of Gabriel Luna’s submission remains uncertain. If Pascal submits in the supporting category and earns a nomination, he would join a select group of Latino actors recognized in the category.

The Emmy history offers little clarity on how Pascal’s character’s fate may impact his nomination chances. In a similar situation in 2023, Brian Cox remained in the lead actor category despite his character’s demise. Now, Pascal faces his own Emmy conundrum as he decides which category to compete in for his portrayal of Joel Miller.

Regardless of the category Pascal chooses, one thing is certain: Joel Miller’s legacy and Pascal’s Emmy journey will be a hot topic of discussion this awards season. Stay tuned to see where Pascal lands in the race for television’s most coveted award.