A routine day in an Alabama classroom turned into a full-blown pop culture moment, complete with a hilarious TikTok, Hollywood fan-casting, and a comparison no one saw coming. One middle school teacher learned firsthand that when it comes to Gen Z and Gen Alpha, for that matter, the worlds of literature and Hollywood collide in the funniest ways.
It all started when the Alabama educator was going about her regular routine, teaching the classics and decorating her classroom like any English teacher proud of their literary lineup would. But Alabama students apparently had other ideas when they spotted a portrait on the wall and immediately associated it with The Mandalorian?
According to the teacher’s TikTok, one of her students innocently asked why she had a picture of Pedro Pascal hanging in the classroom. Pascal, of course, is a towering figure in modern pop culture, starring in films like The Fantastic Four and Gladiator II, as well as major TV hits including The Last of Us, The Mandalorian, and Game of Thrones. In other words, he’s everywhere. So the student’s confusion wasn’t exactly shocking, just hilarious.
Alabama Students Mistake Edgar Allan Poe For Pedro Pascal
But what they were actually pointing to was a portrait of the gothic literature king himself, Edgar Allan Poe, the mastermind behind creepy classics like The Tell-Tale Heart and The Raven. In their defense, both men do have a certain brooding charm, but still, Poe showing up as Pedro Pascal is peak 2025 classroom comedy.
The Alabama educator doubled down on the fun in a follow-up TikTok. Leaning into the joke, she cheerfully entertained the idea that Pascal could play Poe on-screen someday. “Who do we call? How do we make this happen? Whose people can call his people? Do we need to start a petition?” she joked, clearly enjoying the moment just as much as her students.
The Internet Is Loving It
Fans online loved it, too. The thought of Pascal, beloved internet daddy, emotional-action hero, and current Hollywood favorite, slipping into the role of one of America’s most iconic gothic writers? Honestly, it’s not the worst idea. The teacher may be onto something, and judging by Pedro Pascal’s diverse resume, he could absolutely pull it off.
Whether this Alabama classroom moment reaches Pascal himself remains to be seen. But with the video circulating widely, it’s not impossible. Imagine: a viral mix-up, a middle school student, and TikTok accidentally sparking the next great biopic casting rumor.
Nina Franklin 
Kenna Raye 
