5 Reasons Why The Viral Pedro Pascal And Dakota Johnson Dating Rumors Are Misleading (And Their Real Relationship Status)

The internet has been in a frenzy since a photo of Pedro Pascal and Dakota Johnson sharing an intense, passionate kiss went viral, immediately sparking widespread rumors that Hollywood’s most beloved “Daddy” had finally found his match. As of December 18, 2025, however, the reality is far less romantic than the fan fiction: the intense chemistry and public flirting that has captivated fans is almost entirely rooted in their professional collaboration and a very close, yet strictly platonic, friendship.

The core of the speculation stems from their roles as co-stars in the highly anticipated 2025 romantic comedy-drama, *The Materialists*, directed by Celine Song (known for *Past Lives*). While the two A-listers have been inseparable during the film's press tour, with Johnson even gushing about her co-star, both the context of the viral image and their confirmed relationship statuses reveal a different story entirely.

The Complete Biography and Relationship Status of the Co-Stars

To understand the context of the dating rumors, one must first look at the unique lives and career paths of the two stars, which have converged at a pivotal moment in both of their lives.

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Pedro Pascal: The Internet's Beloved 'Daddy'

• Full Name: José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal
• Date of Birth: April 2, 1975
• Place of Birth: Santiago, Chile
• Parents: Verónica Pascal Ureta (psychologist) and José Balmaceda Riera (fertility doctor)
• Breakthrough Roles: Oberyn Martell in HBO's *Game of Thrones* (2014) and Javier Peña in *Narcos* (2015–2017).
• Current Blockbuster Roles: Din Djarin in *The Mandalorian* and Joel Miller in *The Last of Us*.
• Relationship Status: Extremely private. Pascal has never publicly confirmed a serious romantic partner. He has been rumored to be linked to actresses like Lena Headey and Robin Tunney in the past, but his current status remains single or, at the very least, fiercely protected from the public eye.
• Upcoming Projects: Beyond *The Materialists*, he is set to star in *Gladiator 2* and has been rumored for the role of Reed Richards in Marvel's *Fantastic Four*.

Dakota Johnson: The Indie Darling and Rom-Com Star

• Full Name: Dakota Mayi Johnson
• Date of Birth: October 4, 1989
• Place of Birth: Austin, Texas, US
• Parents: Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith (both famous actors), making her a third-generation Hollywood star.
• Breakthrough Role: Anastasia Steele in the erotic film series *Fifty Shades of Grey* (2015–2018).
• Recent Projects: *Madame Web* (2024), *Cha Cha Real Smooth* (2022), and starring as Lucy in *The Materialists*.
• Relationship Status: Recently single. Johnson and her long-time partner, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, reportedly ended their nearly eight-year, on-again, off-again relationship in June 2025. This split is the primary catalyst for the new dating rumors.
• Current Dating Life: Sources indicate that Johnson is "slowly dating again" following the breakup with Martin.

The Truth Behind the Viral Kissing Photo and Intense Chemistry

The most compelling piece of "evidence" for a real-life romance between Pedro Pascal and Dakota Johnson is a photograph that circulated widely on social media. This image showed the two actors in a seemingly passionate embrace, with Pascal leaning in for a kiss on a New York City street.

The Reality of the Image: The photo was not a candid shot of a secret romance but a still from the set of their film, *The Materialists*. In the film, Johnson plays Lucy, a professional matchmaker in New York, and Pascal plays Harry Castillo, a wealthy groomsman and one of her matchmaking clients whom she becomes romantically involved with. The kiss was a scene being filmed for the romantic comedy, a classic case of art imitating—or, in this case, misleading—life.

The 'Flirting Up a Storm' Context: Even with the on-screen kiss debunked, the rumors persisted due to their undeniable off-screen dynamic. During the film's promotional tour, their interviews were filled with easy banter, shared laughter, and an obvious comfort level that made their co-star Chris Evans joke about feeling "left out." Johnson herself has discussed their relationship, clarifying that they are just "really close" friends. This kind of intense, yet platonic, chemistry is a hallmark of successful press tours, designed to build buzz for the film.

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The Materialists: The Engine Driving the Dating Speculation

The entire narrative of a potential Pedro-Dakota romance is inextricably linked to their new project, *The Materialists*. This film, written and directed by critically acclaimed filmmaker Celine Song, is poised to be one of the biggest romantic comedy events of 2025.

The plot itself, which centers on a love triangle between Dakota Johnson's matchmaker character, Pedro Pascal's wealthy client Harry, and another co-star (Chris Evans), naturally encourages speculation about the actors' real-life romantic entanglements. The film's themes of love, dating, and finding the right partner have bled into their press appearances, with Johnson and Pascal even interviewing each other about their views on love.

Key Materialists Entities and Themes:

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• Director: Celine Song (*Past Lives*)
• Genre: Romantic Comedy-Drama
• Setting: New York City
• Dakota's Role: Lucy (a matchmaker)
• Pedro's Role: Harry Castillo (a wealthy client)
• Co-Star: Chris Evans
• Key Theme: Pairing up mates based on criteria like height, age, and wealth.

The promotional strategy appears to be leaning heavily into the actors' off-screen dynamic to generate interest, a technique that has clearly worked, given the global conversation about their alleged romance. The fact that Pedro Pascal is currently one of the most popular and sought-after actors in the world, coupled with Dakota Johnson's recent, high-profile breakup, created the perfect storm for a dating rumor explosion.

5 Critical Facts Debunking the Romance Rumors

While the idea of a Pedro Pascal and Dakota Johnson romance is appealing to many fans, the evidence strongly suggests that their relationship is a deep, supportive friendship and a successful professional partnership. Here are the five key facts that put the dating rumors to rest:

1. The Kiss Was Cinematic, Not Candid

The viral photo that launched a thousand headlines was a choreographed moment from the set of *The Materialists*. Paparazzi often capture on-set moments that are misinterpreted as real-life events, especially when the actors have palpable on-screen chemistry. The kiss between Lucy and Harry Castillo was simply part of the script.

2. Dakota Johnson Confirmed Their 'Close' Friendship

At the *Materialists* premiere, Johnson directly addressed the rumors, stating that she and Pascal are "really close" friends. This clarification, coming directly from the source, is the most definitive statement on their relationship status. Their comfort level is a testament to their professional bond, not a secret romance.

3. The Timing Coincides with Johnson's Breakup

The rumors gained traction immediately following the news of Dakota Johnson’s split from Coldplay’s Chris Martin in June 2025 after nearly eight years together. This timing naturally created a vacuum in the media, leading to speculation that she had quickly moved on to her charismatic co-star. This is a classic media narrative that conflates a celebrity's new single status with their current work partner.

4. Pedro Pascal's Fierce Privacy

Pedro Pascal is famously private about his personal life. He has successfully shielded his dating history from the public and has never confirmed a serious partner. For him to suddenly enter a high-profile, public relationship with a co-star, especially during a press tour, would be a complete reversal of his long-standing approach to fame.

5. The 'Materialists' Promotional Buzz

The entire dynamic—the flirting, the joint interviews, the viral moments—serves the purpose of promoting the film. In the current media landscape, a co-star "showmance" is a highly effective, if unintentional, marketing tool. The chemistry between Pascal and Johnson is simply great acting and a strong working relationship, which is exactly what the film's director, Celine Song, would want for her romantic comedy.

The Final Verdict on Pedro and Dakota

As of late 2025, the relationship between Pedro Pascal and Dakota Johnson is one of Hollywood's most exciting professional pairings. They are two highly accomplished actors—Pascal, the powerhouse behind *The Last of Us* and *The Mandalorian*, and Johnson, the star of *Fifty Shades* and *Madame Web*—who have found a deep connection and mutual respect while working on *The Materialists*. While they may be "flirting up a storm" and sharing on-screen kisses, all credible, current information points to a platonic, co-star relationship. Fans eager to see them together will have to settle for their electric chemistry when *The Materialists* hits theaters in 2025.