The 2026 Golden Globe nominations have been revealed, celebrating the select few films and television shows that surpassed all others in 2025. Celebrating 83 years, the Golden Globe Awards ceremony will air on January 11, 2026, revealing who will be walking the red carpet and taking home the coveted awards.
In regard to television, the nominations are rather sporadic, covering a large expanse of different genres from titles we've come to expect to find, like Severance, The White Lotus, Adolescence, and The Bear. It was a pleasant and relieving surprise to see Andor finally get the recognition it deserves, with Diego Luna getting nominated for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television series - Drama.
But oddly enough, another Star Wars star was strangely absent from the same nomination list, which also consisted of Adam Scott, Gary Oldman, and Noah Wyle. The Last of Us, Pedro Pascal (also known for his work in The Mandalorian and Narcos, among other television roles), was snubbed.
His role as Joel Miller, one of two main characters from the hit HBO series based on the video game of the same name, was an award-worthy performance both seasons. Although his screen time was dramatically cut in half in season 2, starring in the first two episodes before meeting his tragic end by Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), and then one flashback episode, his performance will remain one of the best in television history.
What made The Last of Us game-changing and compelling in a world where post-apocalyptic dramas are popular and frequent was the dynamic between Pascal's jaded, closed-off, and brazen Joel Miller and Bella Ramsey's smart-mouthed, swearing, heart-of-gold Ellie Williams. Choosing to follow the video game, Joel's horrific death spurred on by Abby's thirst for revenge, subsequently creates Ellie's quest for retribution.
The story changes from Joel and Ellie's journey across a devastated landscape filled with infected and monstrous survivors, to their budding father-daughter bond, complete with oddly relatable milestones and arguments. The trauma their relationship suffers impacts their bond, but it becomes background noise after his death.
Now the story is Ellie's, seeking her own revenge, regardless of who is harmed or killed along the way. Whether Pascal is on the screen for one minute or one hour, his performance remains unmatched, able to emote without speaking, and tugging on the heartstrings of those watching.
His last episode, the flashback episode of season 2, episode 6, titled "The Price", time jumps to each of Ellie's birthdays celebrated in Jackson, leading to their falling out and then reconciliation. Joel and Ellie's last conversation finally unveils both perspectives.
On the one hand, Joel doesn't regret saving Ellie over saving the world, placing her life as more important than anyone else. On the other, Ellie believed she was robbed of her true purpose.
As she is immune, her death could have created a cure and perhaps an end to the infected and the beginning of a brighter future. The raw emotion exchanged in this scene cannot be expressed enough.
Bella's Ellie has now undergone a major transformation, which places Ramsey's name on the list of Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television series - Drama. Ramsey's name is shared amongst Kathy Bates, Keri Russel, and Helen Mirren.
That is an incredible feat and is rightfully deserved. Regardless of some of the backlash season 2 has received, the performances cannot be denied of their strength and impact.
Stream The Last of Us on HBO and HBO Max.