Pedro Pascal filming for De Noche (Getty Images)
Filming is officially underway for De Noche, the highly anticipated queer romance from director Todd Haynes, and the first photographs from the set in Mexico City offer a glimpse of star Pedro Pascal in his leading role.
Pascal, known for his roles in The Last of Us and The Mandalorian, was seen in period attire, portraying the character of detective Richard Rent. The film, set in the 1930s, pairs him with Danny Ramirez (Top Gun: Maverick), who plays a boarding school teacher named Joe Thomas.
The story, co-written by Haynes and Jon Raymond, follows the two men as they begin an unexpected love affair in Los Angeles. Their relationship is soon threatened by the city's corrupt political establishment, forcing them to flee to Mexico for safety.
A Story of Love and Corruption
Director Todd Haynes, whose filmography includes acclaimed queer cinema such as Carol and Far from Heaven, described the project as a story for our times.
"This story, with Pedro Pascal and Danny Ramirez in the two leads, arises out of an era – all too relevant to our own – of domestic corruption, racial exploitation and global terror," Haynes stated. "But it emerges as a testament to the inexplicable powers of desire and love to survive and overcome even the most crippling of human barriers."
The Film's Troubled Path to Production
The commencement of filming marks a significant turnaround for De Noche, which faced an uncertain future last year. The project was originally developed with actor Joaquin Phoenix in the lead role, who had worked on the script with Haynes and Raymond.
However, Phoenix abruptly exited the production in 2025. Reports at the time suggested he had initially encouraged Haynes to push the film's explicit content but later developed "cold feet." The departure led to the project being temporarily shelved.
The film's producer, Christina Vachon of Killer Films, expressed her frustration in a since-deleted social media post, asking the public not to blame the production for casting a straight actor in a gay role. "This was HIS project that he brought to US," she wrote, highlighting that Phoenix himself had initiated the film.
The project was revived in August 2025 when it was announced that Pedro Pascal would take over the lead role, allowing production to move forward.
