The Real Reason Pedro Pascal Shockingly Departed Narcos After Season 3!

Pedro Pascal's departure from Narcos after season 3 left fans questioning why. He had been a part of the series from 2015 to 2017, playing DEA agent Javier Peña. This was before his prominent roles in The Mandalorian and HBO's adaptation of The Last of Us. After dedicating himself to bringing down Pablo Escobar, a billionaire narcoterrorist and drug kingpin, in the first two seasons, Pascal's character was then assigned to dismantle a different cartel in season 3.

Narcos, a series that received increasing critical acclaim with each passing season, seemed poised for continued success, especially with Peña being one of Pedro Pascal's most beloved characters. However, the show took a turn from on-screen suspense to real-life drama. After three seasons, the show came to an end, marking the end of Pascal's time on the series. This, in turn, paved the way for the 2018 spinoff series Narcos: Mexico, set in the same shared universe. Despite rumors surrounding Pascal's departure, the show's creator insists that it was not a contentious split.

Pedro Pascal's Narcos Exit Was Always Part Of The Plan

Narcos: Mexico, serving as a spiritual successor to the original three-season series, caused speculation about why the crime drama shifted from Colombia. Notably, Narcos introduced new lead characters and bid farewell to Javier Peña and actor Pedro Pascal. To maintain authenticity, the real-life Javier Peña, who had investigated Pablo Escobar and the Medellín Cartel, served as a consultant. In order to uphold continuity, Pascal remained for the final season to provide an emotional connection for fans. However, it had always been planned for Pascal's character to exit in season 3, as showrunner Eric Newman revealed, prompting Pascal to consider whether his character should be killed off or if a future cameo was possible.

Did Pedro Pascal Leave Narcos Due To A Real-Life Tragedy?

Ahead of the filming of Narcos: Mexico, Carlos Muñoz Portal, the location scout for the series, was tragically murdered in the Mexican state of Hidalgo in 2017. When asked about this distressing incident, Pedro Pascal expressed his sadness and concern. However, there was no indication that the murder was the reason for his departure from Narcos. Nonetheless, rumors circulated connecting Pascal's exit with the real-life tragedy. It is important to note that the actor's departure from the show after season 3 was always planned, allowing for a new storyline. Fortunately, things have worked out well for Pedro Pascal, as he is already experiencing a successful 2023 and beyond.