This Newbie Makes Quite An Impression

With so many new characters being introduced every season and some getting recast, it's hard to keep up with everyone on HBO's hit fantasy series. But if you haven't noticed Game of Thrones' Prince Oberyn and Pedro Pascal, the man who plays him, you're missing out.

Pascal is a seasoned actor, appearing in many popular and critically acclaimed TV shows. In fact, Pascal was even cast in the widely anticipated but ultimately doomed pilot for Wonder Woman on NBC. You know which one I'm talking about, the one starting Tyra Collette from Friday Night Lights? The one that looked ridiculous? Yup, that one. Pascal was set to play Ed Indelicato, a police officer who befriends Wonder Woman.

Thankfully, Pascal went to guest star in a few other shows and caught the eye of the Game of Thrones producers who cast him as Prince Oberyn Martell, a man nicknamed the Red Viper and is something of a fan favorite in the book series. Prince Oberyn is about to sit as a judge during the trial of Tyrion Lannister but will ultimately make a move for the accused that does not end well for the vengeful Prince of Dorne. Before I give too much away and get in trouble with the spoiler police, let's shift gears and talk about the sexy man taking on this very sexy role.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Like many lucky actors before him, Pedro Pascal began his journey to becoming badass Prince Oberyn by playing a small role on the fourth season premiere of Buffy. Pascal played Eddie, a freshman who was struggling with the new experiences of being in college and later gets attacked and killed by vampires. Before he dies — and becomes a vampire for a bit— he has a quick bonding session with Buffy who is also not adjusting properly to college life. It's a quick but fun role and seriously, who wouldn't want to be on Buffy?

The Good Wife

Playing a lawyer can be difficult on a show about lawyers starring Julianna Margulies as a lawyer, but Pascal pulled it off in his short recurring role as Nathan Landry on The Good Wife's second season. Landry was an assistant District Attorney who worked with Cary Agos after Cary left Lockhart/Gardney for the District Attorney's office. Nathan was not the most popular recurring character on the show as he would always butt heads with Cary, but it was hard to dislike him because, well you know, look at him.

Graceland

On this hit USA show, Pascal plays Juan Badillo, an FBI control officer who works with rookie agent Mike Warren to investigate a fellow FBI agent. He goes undercover as a serial mass murderer named Jangles who is affiliated with the Mexican cartel and oddly enough, he is murdered by the very man he is investigating, agent Paul Briggs. It's a meaty role in the show's uneven but interesting first season.

The Mentalist

Pascal was cast yet again in an official FBI role as Agent Marcus Pike. He is tasked with helping Thomas Jane and Theresa Lisbon with the tracking of some art thieves and in the process, he sweeps Lisbon off her feet. For fans of the Lisbon and Jane dynamic — the 'shippers if you will — Pike was not a welcomed recurring character.

Homeland

In another small but significant role in the Homeland third season premiere, Pascal plays David Pantillo, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence who questions Carrie during her testimony about the attack on CIA headquarters. Pantillo doesn't do much but his line of questioning does cause Carrie to admit she regretted many of her decisions during much of the Abu Nazir case.

So enjoy your time with Pascal on Game of Thrones while you can and revel in the awesomeness that is Prince Oberyn. He's about to get even cooler.

Image: Helen Sloan/HBO