Eight Years Ago, Netflix’s Crime Epic With Pedro Pascal Officially Ended

Netflix‘s impressive lineup of original shows includes one outstanding crime drama starring Pedro Pascal. Since its launch as a streaming service in 2007, Netflix has heavily cultivated its TV sector, releasing critically acclaimed original shows such as Stranger Things, The Crown, and Squid Game. All genres, including sci-fi, comedy, and drama, are represented in Netflix’s extensive TV library, and the crime genre is one of the platform’s richest realms to explore. From non-Netflix series such as Breaking Bad to originals like Ozark, Netflix’s selection of crime dramas is perfect for fans of the genre. Plus, those who have followed Pascal’s career know that one of his early projects is an incredible Netflix crime epic.

Pascal starred in Narcos, which aired three seasons on Netflix from 2015 to 2017. Beginning in the 1970s and ending in the 1990s, the series chronicles the Colombian drug war through the eyes of prominent kingpins like Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura), national law enforcement, and members of the American Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Pascal portrays Javier Peña, a DEA agent who works tirelessly to take down Escobar and the Cali Cartel. Eight years after Narcos Season 3 premiered and concluded the show, it’s still worth appreciating the series’ greatness, as well as its impact on both Netflix and Pascal.

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Narcos Was a Fantastic Addition to Netflix’s Original TV Lineup

Narcos still ranks among Netflix’s most compelling dramas thanks to its well-executed plot and layered characters. Suspense is a major part of what makes Narcos so addicting. Constant tension as the drug lords and DEA agents scheme their next move paves the way for heart-pounding fight scenes and shocking character deaths. The rise and fall of Escobar in Narcos Seasons 1 and 2 is gripping to follow, as Moura’s performance and the episode’s attention to detail make for an excellent character study. Narcos‘ basis in true history also renders its plot endlessly captivating. In addition to Escobar, the show follows lesser-known figures like Pacho Herrera (Alberto Ammann) and Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela (Damián Alcázar)—who are written with just as much intrigue and nuance. Peña’s endeavors with the DEA and Colombian police forces produce some of Narcos‘ most riveting moments, while Search Bloc commander Horacio Carrillo (Maurice Compte) and Peña’s DEA colleague Steve Murphy are other standouts. By spotlighting the brutality, devastation, and futility of the war on drugs in Colombia, Narcos triumphs as a gritty, engrossing, and thought-provoking crime drama.

When Narcos Season 1 premiered in 2015, Netflix didn’t have a flagship crime drama to its name. The political drama House of Cards and comedy-drama Orange is the New Black spearheaded Netflix’s success in original content, while Daredevil and Sense8 involved the platform in the superhero and sci-fi genres. Narcos cemented Netflix as a capable entity in the crime genre, as the series garnered wide praise from critics and general audiences. With an 89% average Rotten Tomatoes critic score and 95% audience rating, Narcos helped open the door for Ozark, Mindhunter, and other successful crime dramas on Netflix. In fact, Narcos was such a huge hit, it produced a spinoff, Narcos: Mexico. The follow-up series didn’t quite reach the heights of its predecessor, but still proved creators Carlo Bernard, Chris Brancato, and Doug Miro as masters of scripted crime series based on real events.

Narcos Helped Fuel Pedro Pascal’s Distinguished Career

Pascal’s performance in Narcos rightfully turned heads and inspired the future of his acting career. Peña experiences immense character growth over the course of Narcos‘ 30 episodes, sparked by enduring intense combat and witnessing the deep corruption within Colombia’s government. He’s tough, morally-gray, and sympathetic as he navigates his determination to bring down Escobar and co. with the limitations of working with a government agency. Even as a supporting character in Narcos Seasons 1 and 2, Pascal commands the screen by effectively communicating Peña’s conviction and inner turmoil as matters grow grimmer and more complicated for the DEA. The wreckage and spilled blood caused by the battle against the Medellín Cartel takes a toll on Peña when he becomes the protagonist in Narcos Season 3, and Pascal shines in his elevated role.

Narcos was Pascal’s breakout role, and it’s amazing to count the big roles he landed after the show. Two years after Narcos aired its final season, Pascal starred as the bounty hunter Din Djarin in Star Wars: The Mandalorian, which has released three seasons on Disney+ and will be followed by 2026’s The Mandalorian and Grogu movie. The star then appeared as the iconic DC villain Max Lord in 2020’s Wonder Woman 1984 and three years later, appeared as the co-lead character Joel Miller in HBO’s The Last of Us TV adaptation. Pascal also boasts prominent roles in the comedy-drama Freaky Tales, the animated film The Wild Robot, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, Celine Song’s Materialists, and Ari Aster’s Eddington. Most recently, Pascal has officially entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Based on his many noteworthy performances, Pascal has tons of range when it comes to the types of characters he plays, but it’s clear that the grit and sincerity and showed in Narcos propelled him to prominence in Hollywood.

All seasons of Narcos are available to stream on Netflix.