The Truth About Dakota Johnson And Pedro Pascal: 5 Reasons The Dating Rumors Exploded After Her Breakup

The internet is currently in a frenzy over the rumored romance between Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal, and the speculation has reached a fever pitch in late 2025. The intense buzz follows Dakota Johnson's highly-publicized split from her long-time partner, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, after an eight-year, on-off relationship that officially ended earlier this year. With Johnson suddenly single, the intense on-screen chemistry she shares with the beloved "Daddy" of Hollywood, Pedro Pascal, has been amplified, leading fans and tabloids alike to question if a new A-list coupling is quietly blossoming behind the scenes.

Despite the overwhelming public desire for this pairing, the official, most current update is that Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal are not dating; they are, by their own accounts, "really close friends" who have developed a powerful bond while working on their new romantic comedy-drama, The Materialists, set for a 2025 release. However, the nature of their friendship, their public appearances, and the context of Johnson’s recent singleness have created a perfect storm of romance rumors. Below, we dive into the facts, the fiction, and the five biggest reasons why the internet is convinced this friendship is turning into Hollywood's next great love story.

Dakota Johnson & Pedro Pascal: Full Biographical Profiles

To fully understand the context of this high-profile pairing, it’s essential to look at the careers and personal lives of the two stars who have captured the world's attention. Their individual successes and current professional collaboration are the foundation of the current dating speculation.

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Dakota Johnson (Actress & Producer)

• Full Name: Dakota Mayi Johnson
• Born: October 4, 1989 (Age: 36 in 2025)
• Birthplace: Austin, Texas, U.S.
• Family Background: She is the daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, and the granddaughter of Tippi Hedren, making her a third-generation Hollywood star.
• Breakout Role: Anastasia "Ana" Steele in the Fifty Shades film trilogy (2015–2018).
• Key Filmography: The Social Network (2010), A Bigger Splash (2015), Bad Times at the El Royale (2018), The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019), Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022), and the upcoming Marvel film Madame Web (2024).
• Recent Relationship Status: Recently split from Coldplay's Chris Martin in 2025 after eight years together.

Pedro Pascal (Actor)

• Full Name: José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal
• Born: April 2, 1975 (Age: 50 in 2025)
• Birthplace: Santiago, Chile. Moved to the U.S. as a child.
• Breakout Role: Oberyn Martell in the HBO series Game of Thrones (2014).
• Key Filmography: Javier Peña in Narcos (2015–2017), Din Djarin in The Mandalorian (2019–present), Joel Miller in The Last of Us (2023–present), and films like Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022).
• Recent Relationship Status: Pedro Pascal is intensely private about his personal life and is widely believed to be single, which is a major factor in the current speculation.

5 Reasons The Dakota & Pedro Romance Rumors Are Exploding Right Now

The core of the dating speculation is not a single piece of evidence but rather a confluence of recent events and professional collaborations that have perfectly aligned. This is why the LSI keywords like "on-screen chemistry," "Chris Martin breakup," and "The Materialists" are dominating entertainment headlines.

1. The Explosive Chemistry in ‘The Materialists’

The most significant catalyst for the rumors is their work together on the upcoming romantic comedy-drama, The Materialists, directed by the acclaimed Celine Song (known for Past Lives). The film follows a New York matchmaker, Lucy (Dakota Johnson), caught in a love triangle between her wealthy client, John (Chris Evans), and her ideal match, Harry (Pedro Pascal).

During filming in New York City, photos of the two actors sharing an intense, passionate kiss for a scene immediately went viral, sparking the initial rumors. This on-set intimacy, combined with the film's theme of a love triangle, has led fans to desperately hope the on-screen romance translates to real life, a classic Hollywood trope.

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2. Dakota Johnson’s Freshly Single Status in 2025

The timing of the rumors is impeccable. In early 2025, news broke that Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin had officially ended their eight-year relationship, with sources suggesting the split "feels final this time." Johnson is a highly desirable, newly single A-lister, and Pascal, who is notoriously private, is widely considered to be Hollywood's most eligible bachelor. The moment Johnson became single, the narrative shifted from "co-stars with chemistry" to "two single people who should be together," fueling the dating speculation to an all-time high.

The intense public focus is now on who Dakota Johnson will date next, and reports suggest she is "flirting up a storm" as she enjoys her single life, with Pedro Pascal being the most prominent name in the mix.

3. Their Affectionate and Candid Promotional Interviews

As the promotional campaign for The Materialists ramps up in mid-2025, the pair’s joint interviews have only added fuel to the fire. They are visibly comfortable, affectionate, and candid with each other, often sharing inside jokes and finishing each other's sentences. In one interview, Pedro Pascal spoke openly about his "love" for Dakota Johnson, though it was clearly in the context of a deep, platonic friendship. The palpable ease and warmth between them, which even co-star Chris Evans has joked about, makes it easy for fans to interpret their bond as romantic.

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4. Shared Friend Groups and Public Sightings

Beyond their movie set, the two have been spotted together in social settings, further blurring the lines between professional co-stars and personal friends. A notable sighting included them attending a Stevie Nicks concert in London together, alongside other mutual friends like Cara Delevingne and Anya Taylor-Joy. This evidence points to a genuine friendship that exists outside of their work commitments, suggesting they are integrated into the same social circles, making a potential romantic relationship seem all the more plausible to the public.

5. The 'Daddy' Effect and Fan Desire

Pedro Pascal has, in recent years, earned the affectionate moniker of "Daddy" from his massive fanbase, largely due to his roles as a protective, charismatic figure in hit shows like The Mandalorian and The Last of Us. This collective fan obsession with his charm and kindness, combined with Dakota Johnson's cool, effortlessly chic persona, creates a fantasy pairing that the public desperately wants to see happen. The rumors are not just about speculation; they are about wish fulfillment. The narrative of the recently single, witty actress falling for the universally adored, protective leading man is a perfect Hollywood fairytale.

The Verdict: Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal Relationship Status

Despite the overwhelming evidence of their incredible chemistry and the public's desire to see them together, the most reliable and recent information confirms that Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal are not dating.

Dakota Johnson herself has addressed the rumors directly, clarifying that their connection is one of a deeply supportive and close friendship, forged while filming the intense romantic dynamics of The Materialists. Their current relationship status is strictly platonic, but their professional collaboration has resulted in one of the most talked-about, chemistry-filled friendships in Hollywood today. As Dakota Johnson navigates life after her breakup with Chris Martin, and as Pedro Pascal continues his reign as a global superstar, their bond remains a powerful testament to the genuine connections that can form on a movie set, even if it’s not the romantic one fans are hoping for.

The intense speculation serves as a massive, organic marketing boost for The Materialists, proving that the chemistry between Lucy and Harry—Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal—is truly irresistible. Fans will have to wait for the film's 2025 release to see their legendary on-screen romance unfold, while the real-life romance remains a hopeful rumor.