Imagine you’re turning the pages of your favorite novel and picturing the perfect cast. Chances are, you’re picturing Pedro Pascal as the leading man. Book adaptations are dominating the screen, and Pascal’s versatility and emotional depth make him a natural fit for turning written characters into unforgettable on-screen heroes. So, which beloved books should Pascal star in next? Here’s a curated list.
Ten Characters Made for Pedro Pascal
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Few characters embody loyalty, love, and courage like Patroclus in The Song of Achilles. The story is told from Patroclus’s perspective and follows him and Achilles’ deep bond and romantic relationship during the Trojan War. Gentle, thoughtful, and loyal but brave and willing to risk everything for those he cares about, Patroclus deserves an actor who can bring heart and heroism to the role.
Pedro Pascal has the ability to make this character as unforgettable on the screen as he is in the book. From the fierce loyalty he has shown in Din Djarin in The Mandalorian to the emotional depth of Joel in The Last of Us, Pascal has shown us he can balance heroism and deep, meaningful connections, making him the perfect choice for Patroclus.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Like many of her books, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Malibu Rising is already in the works for a Hulu adaptation. So, this is my official pitch for Pedro Pascal to be cast as the adult Mick Riva. The novel follows Mick’s four children as they prepare for a legendary summer party in 1980s Malibu, weaving themes of love, ambition, drama, and the secrets that shape them through both the day’s events and revealing flashbacks.
At the center of the story is Mick Riva, the charming yet deeply flawed rockstar whose presence commands every scene. Pascal’s natural ability to embody complex, magnetic characters will make audiences feel the glamour and emotional turbulence of Mick’s life. With him in the role, the adaptation would gain depth and star power in the story’s unforgettable family drama.
Red Rising Series by Pierce Brown
In Pierce Brown’s Iron Gold, Ephraim ti Horn enters as one of the most compelling new voices in the Red Rising universe. Ephraim is a former revolutionary turned mercenary dealing with loss, betrayal, and the moral gray areas of a fractured society. Pedro Pascal is the perfect choice for Ephraim, portraying the character’s brooding charisma, grit, and emotional complexity.
Pascal could capture both Ephraim’s hard exterior and vulnerability beneath, navigating the dangerous, high-stakes world of the Solar Republic. Ephraim’s story of loss, survival, and rebellion, depicted by Pascal, would present an unforgettable film capturing Red Rising fans worldwide.
The Broken Empire Trilogy by Mark Lawrence
The series follows Prince Jorg Ancrath as he leads a band of outlaws, the Brotherhood, on a quest to reclaim his throne and exact revenge. Pedro Pascal would be an exceptional choice to portray an older Jorg Ancrath, one who embodies his demeanor and rugged edge. Pascal’s ability to adapt a brooding intensity, charismatic lead, and a broad emotional spectrum to his brooding aligns with Jorg’s complex psyche, troubled past, and commanding loyalty. The dark and gritty world of The Broken Empire needs Pascal to bring depth and moral ambiguity to the flawed leader seeking purpose.
The Prince of Nothing Series by R. Scott Bakker
In the world of Eärwa, the series follows Anasûrimbor Kellhus, a Dûnyain monk whose arrival in the Holy War leads to shifts in power and perception. Pascal would be a compelling choice to portray Kellhus in a film adaptation. Pascal’s performances tend to exude a magnetic presence, making him a good fit to play Kellhus’s ability to influence and captivate those around him. Kellhus also faces internal struggles that Pascal can balance with outward confidence. His previous action roles would give authenticity to the role and ensure Kellhus is convincingly depicted.
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
Set in the city of Camorr, the story follows Locke Lamora, an orphan who becomes the leader of a group of elite con artists that pulls off intricate, clever, and dangerous but often hilarious heists. Everything changes as The Gray King rises from the criminal underworld, and Locke has to navigate betrayal and revenge, along with maintaining clever schemes and loyalty. I picked Pascal specifically for this role because Locke has razor-sharp sarcastic humor, and Pascal has a gift for deadpan sarcasm and the ability to switch from cracking a joke to being deadly serious.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
The number one bestseller by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind, is set in Barcelona post-Spanish Civil War. When Daniel Sempere discovers a mysterious book by author Julián Carax, he and his sidekick Fermín Romero de Torres, a once-homeless, clever, and endlessly charming man, unravel the web of secrets surrounding the author’s life. Pascal would embody Fermín’s charisma, humor, and hint of danger. With Pascal in the role, Fermín’s charming and witty character will be brought to life in this gothic literary mystery/historical fiction.
Crescent City (House of Earth and Blood) by Sarah J. Maas
Maas has developed an enormous fandom with her Crescent City series, and Pedro Pascal has cultivated a similarly passionate following through his charismatic and layered performances. Together, their combined appeal makes him the perfect choice to bring one of her most commanding characters to life. The novel follows the murder of a powerful supernatural being that sets off a chain of intrigue, rebellion, and political unrest in a city of angels, demons, and fae. As Micah Domitus, the city’s commanding archangel, Pascal would embody his charm, cunning, and hidden menace that shape the fate of everyone around him.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
In 1950s Mexico, young socialite Noemí Taboada is summoned to a remote mansion to investigate her cousin’s mysterious illness. The sinister Doyle family runs the decaying and dark house. Pedro Pascal would play the perfect Virgil Doyle, the dangerously charming and morally ambiguous aristocrat whose presence looms over the mansion and its horrors. His ability to balance danger and charm makes Virgial captivating and terrifying, and gives him scene-stealing intensity. This role would allow Pascal to stretch into gothic horror while staying within his signature magnetism.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
To close out the list, A Little Life offers a raw, emotionally powerful exploration of trauma, friendship, and resilience. The novel follows the life of four friends over several decades as they navigate careers, relationships, and the challenges of adulthood in New York. Pascal would make the perfect Harold, Jude’s wise and compassionate mentor, bringing warmth, gravitas, and subtle emotional depth to a story that is unlike anything else on this list. This final choice shifts the focus from fantasy, action, and suspense to a profoundly human, literary drama that shows Pascal’s versatility and ability to anchor intimate, character-driven narratives.
Whether he is charming the shadows out of a dusty Barcelona alley in The Shadow of the Wind, commanding angels and demons in Crescent City, or looking dangerously suave in a decaying mansion in Mexican Gothic, Pascal proves time and time again he can do it all. These ten novels show that no matter the genre, Pascal is ready to steal every scene, every heart, and probably your popcorn too!
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