Pedro Pascal recently reflected on the life-changing moment he was cast in Game of Thrones, where he played the unforgettable Oberyn Martell, the Prince of Dorne, during season 4. The role, which aired in 2014, became a turning point in his career.
A Game-Changing Role
In an interview for his Vanity Fair cover story published on June 24, Pascal described landing the role as a “game changer” and credited Game of Thrones with being the reason he’s where he is today. “I still can’t believe it happened that [showrunners] David Benioff and Dan Weiss would take this chance on me,” he said.
Pascal acknowledged that the show could have chosen any actor, but they gave him the opportunity despite his background in regional theater and episodic TV. He felt deeply grateful, saying, “I kind of am indebted to them for my career.”
Sarah Paulson’s Role in His Casting
Pascal also credited his best friend, Sarah Paulson, with helping him land the role. She helped get his audition tape in front of Amanda Peet, who is married to David Benioff, one of the show’s creators.
A Fan of the Show
Pascal admitted he was already a huge fan of Game of Thrones before joining the cast. “I was obsessed with the show,” he revealed. Even if his role hadn’t transformed his career, being a part of the show was still a special experience for him.
“I could barely f—— believe what was happening to me,” he said, especially when he got to work with the ensemble cast on iconic locations.
A Memorable Scene in Tyrion’s Trial
One of Pascal’s standout memories from his time on Game of Thrones was filming the throne room scene during Tyrion Lannister’s trial. “I had a view of everyone,” he said, describing the surreal experience of being surrounded by Game of Thrones legends like Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
The scene took place in season 4, episode 6 (“The Laws of Gods and Men”), where Tyrion is accused of killing King Joffrey. Pascal’s character, Oberyn, is one of the key figures in the trial, and the scene is remembered for its intense drama and performances.
The Epic Fight Scene
Pascal’s time on Game of Thrones ended with his character’s tragic death in season 4, episode 8 (“The Mountain and the Viper”). In the dramatic fight, Oberyn represents Tyrion in a trial by combat against The Mountain (played by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson). During the fight, Oberyn is brutally killed when his head is crushed by The Mountain.
Pascal joked about his “early deaths” in acting but praised Björnsson for helping him stay energized during the physically demanding battle, which was filmed in blazing hot Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Despite the violent nature of the scene, Pascal said, “As violent as it looks, he was very gently pressing up against my eyes. I didn’t feel him at all.”
How Game of Thrones Changed His Career
Pascal’s role as Oberyn helped open doors for other iconic roles, including Javier Peña in Netflix’s Narcos and Din Djarin in The Mandalorian. In 2023, he reunited with fellow Game of Thrones alum Bella Ramsey for the hit HBO series The Last of Us.
Reflections on Game of Thrones
Before the series aired, Pascal had shared with PEOPLE that he didn’t think he’d land the part of Oberyn, feeling it was “not an attainable gig.”
However, after securing the role, he went on to have an unforgettable run on the show, which he described on Instagram when Game of Thrones ended in 2019.
He wrote, “To the mensches who changed my life, I salute. To being around the very most gorgeous people… #GameofThrones, the greatest show on television… so far.”
