When Ser Duncan the Tall enters a room, everyone notices. The main character of HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is famously large, but his exact height has been a topic of discussion for fans. We break down how tall the character is in the original books, the height of the actor who brings him to life, and how the show visually creates his towering presence.
Ser Duncan the Tall’s Book Height
In George R.R. Martin’s original Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, Ser Duncan’s height is clearly defined. The books state that the knight is an inch shy of seven feet tall. This places his canonical book height at six feet and eleven inches, or approximately 2.11 meters.
This makes him one of the tallest characters in the entire A Song of Ice and Fire universe. For comparison, he stands around the same height as the Greatjon Umber. He is taller than Brienne of Tarth but not as tall as Hodor or Ser Gregor Clegane, The Mountain. His immense size is a key part of his identity, earning him the nickname “the Tall” and setting him apart in a crowd.
Peter Claffey’s Real Height
Portraying such a famously tall character required finding an actor of significant stature. The role went to Peter Claffey, an Irish actor and former professional rugby player.
Claffey is a very tall man in his own right, standing at six feet and five inches (about 1.95 meters). While this is impressive, it means there is a six-inch difference between the actor and the character from the books. The show’s creators specifically sought an actor over six feet five for the role.
Showrunner Ira Parker commented on the casting, stating, “We were looking for as tall as possible in that age range. The book character is 6-foot-11. After meeting Peter, it really couldn’t have been anyone else”.
How the Show Creates Dunk’s Size
With the actor being slightly shorter than the literary character, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms uses several techniques to emphasize Ser Duncan’s larger-than-life presence on screen.
The most effective method is through clever cinematography and framing. Directors often shoot Claffey from low angles to make him look even more imposing. He is also frequently filmed alongside his young squire, Egg, played by Dexter Sol Ansell. The significant height difference between the two visually reinforces Dunk’s giant stature.
Practical set design also plays a role. In early episodes, Dunk is shown ducking under doorways and low-hanging beams in inns and stables, a simple visual cue that reminds the audience he does not fit into a world built for smaller people.
His size is even compared to his horses. Claffey noted that he trained with large stunt horses but still managed to look big next to them. “Mine isn’t as big as a war horse that would make Dunk look epic. But it is kind of endearing to look at Dunk being too big for his horse,” the actor said.
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The Importance of Height to the Character
Dunk’s height is not just a physical trait; it is central to who he is and how he moves through the world of Westeros. As a lowborn hedge knight with no family name, wealth, or land, his immense size is one of his only assets. It grants him a natural advantage in combat, making him strong and intimidating.
However, his height also contributes to a sense of awkwardness and gentle humility. Claffey’s performance captures this by having the character slouch, bow his head, and tuck in his arms, as if he is constantly trying to take up less space. Other characters notice this, with Ser Lyonel Baratheon at one point telling him, “The Seven above gave you tallness!… So be tall!”.
This contrast—a giant man with a humble, sometimes uncertain demeanor—is at the core of his appeal. His physical presence commands attention, but his personality and commitment to knightly ideals win people over.
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