For Pedro Pascal, 2026 is shaping up to be a year as memorable in love as it is in work. As the The Last of Us star celebrates his 51st birthday and prepares for the next chapter of his Hollywood career, a new chapter in his personal life appears to be unfolding before the public’s watchful eye. While the actor has famously guarded his private life with the same intensity he brings to his roles on screen, the walls around his heart may have finally come down.
After years of quiet respect for his privacy, fans are now abuzz with a singular question: Who holds the heart of the internet’s favorite dad? The answer, as a string of cozy public outings suggests, is a man named Rafael Olarra, an Argentine creative director whose burgeoning presence by Pascal’s side has ignited a firestorm of romance rumors in early 2026.
You Might Like: Sydney Sweeney and Scooter Braun: The 2026 Love Story That Shocked Hollywood
A New Romance Takes Center Stage
The whispers began in earnest this past February. According to multiple media outlets, including TMZ and Complex, Pedro Pascal and Rafael Olarra were spotted enjoying a series of affectionate dates over Valentine’s Day weekend in New York City. Photographs obtained by tabloids showed the pair strolling arm-in-arm through Manhattan’s Lower East Side and seated closely together at a screening of the film Wuthering Heights. “The actor stepped out in Beverly Hills alongside Olarra on Monday… the two were spotted wrapping their arms around each other’s waists,” TMZ reported shortly after, documenting more undeniable PDA in Los Angeles.
Perhaps the most telling sign of the seriousness of their bond came in March at the 98th Academy Awards. While Pascal stunned on the red carpet in a custom Chanel look, he and Olarra were photographed together by various outlets, marking a high-profile—though still unconfirmed—public appearance as a couple. Since then, Olarra has been seen visiting Pascal on the set of his upcoming film, De Noche (Night), a gay romance set in the 1930s, further solidifying their connection amidst the daily rhythms of life.
Who is Rafael Olarra?
So, who is the man who has seemingly captured the attention of one of the world’s most beloved stars? Rafael Olarra is not a newcomer to the spotlight. He is an Argentine creative director who has served as the creative director for the Faena Group since 2015. His work in the high-end hospitality and art world involves collaborating with luminaries like Baz Luhrmann and Rem Koolhaas. Outside of his professional life, he describes himself as an “adventurous traveler,” a “motivated climber,” and a “triathlete”.
Also See: Dani Olmo’s Girlfriend 2026: Laura Abla — The Steady Hand Behind Spain’s Playmaker
Born in Gualeguaychú, Argentina, Olarra is a trained painter and sculptor who studied at the Universidad del Cine in Buenos Aires. He is also no stranger to Hollywood romance: prior to Pedro Pascal, Olarra was in a public relationship with Welsh actor Luke Evans from 2020 to 2021, confirming their split early in that year. For his part, Pascal has remained characteristically silent on the matter. Neither he nor Olarra has officially commented on the nature of their connection, maintaining a mystery that only adds to the intrigue.
After all, for an actor who has kept his personal relationships so fiercely private for so long, this public, comfortable closeness may be the most profound answer of all.
