‘The Last of Us’ star Pedro Pascal to make ‘SNL’ hosting debut with musical guest Coldplay
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After fighting off vicious Clickers, Pedro Pascal’s 30 Rock debut should be a piece of non-fungal cake.
The Chilean actor, who plays apocalypse survivor Joel Miller on HBO’s “The Last of Us,” will host “Saturday Night Live” on Feb. 4, the actor confirmed on Instagram Thursday. Rock band Coldplay will serve as the musical guest on next week’s episode, marking the group’s seventh performance on the NBC sketch comedy series.
Set in the near-future United States, where a fungal pandemic has turned most of the population into powerful, predatory zombies, “The Last of Us” serves as an adaptation of the hit 2013 video game and stars Pascal alongside “Game of Thrones” actress Bella Ramsey. HBO Max renewed the series for a second season Friday.
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Given the subject matter, “Last of Us” has already drawn comparisons to AMC’s popular zombie drama “The Walking Dead,” which ended its 11-season run last fall. Pascal is also a fan of apocalypse thrillers such as “28 Days Later,” but says this series is unlike any genre project before it.
“More than any other dystopic show I’ve ever seen or been a part of, this is about a relationship in a very, very intimate way,” Pascal recently told USA TODAY. “There’s something so tiny and intimate at the center of this huge and horrifying world.”
Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey: ‘The Last of Us’ stars on the HBO hit (and those Clickers)
Pascal added he was compelled by the emotional woundedness of his character Joel, who lost his daughter, Sarah (Nico Parker), at the start of the outbreak.
“I don’t identify as a tough guy, but I loved the idea of grief existing within such a tough exterior, and the impossible way of burying it,” Pascal said. “The map of that character’s emotional journey is so beautifully drawn.”
HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’is the best video game adaptation ever
Pascal’s upcoming “SNL” appearance will follow “A Journal for Jordan” star Michael B. Jordan, who is slated to host Saturday’s show alongside musical guest Lil Baby.
Last weekend, “White Lotus” star Aubrey Plaza hosted “SNL” with Sam Smith as musical guest.
Who’s on ‘Saturday Night Live’? See who’s joined (and left) the ‘SNL’ cast.
Contributing: Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘The Last of Us’ star Pedro Pascal to make ‘SNL’ hosting debut with musical guest Coldplay