When HBO first announced A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the latest spin-off in the ever-expanding Game of Thrones universe, fans immediately began speculating about who would play the beloved duo of Ser Duncan the Tall, known as Dunk, and his young squire Egg. Would it be a major Hollywood star? A familiar face from another fantasy series? As it turns out, the producers made a choice that surprised many but ultimately proved to be genius. They cast complete unknowns.
Peter Claffey, a former professional rugby player from Ireland with zero major acting credits, now wears the armor of Dunk. And Dexter Sol Ansell, an 11-year-old British child actor, brings Egg to life. The decision to go with unfamiliar faces wasn’t just a creative gamble—it was a necessary and brilliant move that has paid off in ways the franchise possibly never expected.
The Physical Challenge of Finding Ser Duncan the Tall
The search for Dunk came with one major obstacle that immediately eliminated most working actors. According to author George R.R. Martin’s books, Ser Duncan the Tall stands nearly seven feet in height. That is not the kind of role you can simply cast without considering the physical requirements.
Showrunner Ira Parker explained in the January 2026 issue of SFX Magazine why this mattered so much. He said that Claffey, who stands six feet five inches tall, was a former professional rugby player who played for Ireland. Parker noted that Ser Duncan must be a very large human being, and when you start with that requirement, it cuts out every single actor in the world who has any experience .
The pool of available tall actors with major credits is incredibly small. Instead of forcing a shorter actor into the role and using camera tricks, the production team chose to look elsewhere. They found Claffey, whose athletic background gave him the physical presence needed to portray a hedge knight who relies on his size and strength.
But height was only part of the equation. Parker admitted that even though Claffey lacked experience, he kept improving with every audition. He said that every single time Claffey came back in, he was exponentially better. That is exactly what you look for when you are going with someone who is just going to work .
How Peter Claffey Went from Rugby to Westeros
For those unfamiliar with Claffey’s background, his journey to becoming Dunk is unusual but makes perfect sense. Before stepping onto the sets of HBO, he played professional rugby in Ireland. That career gave him the physical toughness and discipline needed for a role that requires action sequences and the look of a warrior.
Since retiring from sports, Claffey had appeared in small roles in shows like Bad Sisters, Vikings: Valhalla, and the film Small Things Like These . But none of those parts made him a household name. When casting directors found him, they saw someone who could embody Dunk’s humble origins and his imposing stature.
Interestingly, Claffey had the opposite reaction to getting the part compared to his young co-star. In a behind-the-scenes conversation for HBO Max, he recalled getting the call from his agents. He said he thought it was amazing at first, but then he curled into a ball and shivered on the ground because he was terrified . That fear came from knowing how much fans love these characters and how big the Game of Thrones franchise really is.
Dexter Sol Ansell’s Wholesome Casting Moment Goes Viral
While Claffey dealt with fear, Dexter Sol Ansell experienced pure joy. A video of the young actor learning he had been cast as Egg recently went viral on social media, gathering nearly half a million views on X .
In the clip, Ansell sits with his family, including his father Jonathan Ansell, his mother, his older sister, and even the family dog. When he hears the news, his face lights up and he can barely contain his excitement. He finally manages to shout, “I got the role!! I’m gonna be Egg” .
Fans immediately fell in love with the moment. One person commented that the joy on his face is unmatched and that the kid is already winning . Another viewer admitted they did not need to cry like that, adding that seeing how excited he was to tell his sister was touching .
Ansell may be young, but he is not new to acting. He previously played a young Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and appeared in British shows like Emmerdale and The Midwich Cuckoos . Showrunner Ira Parker had high praise for him, calling him the best child actor that has ever existed on planet Earth. Parker added that it feels unfair to call him a child actor because he is professional, can riff, takes notes, and is thoughtful in his process .
Why Established Names Would Have Ruined the Story
Part of what makes A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms work is its tone. Unlike the political scheming of Game of Thrones or the dragon-filled drama of House of the Dragon, this show follows two wanderers traveling through Westeros. It is smaller, more personal, and more focused on character relationships.
If HBO had cast a major star like Henry Cavill, who fans constantly speculate about joining the franchise, it would have changed how people watch the show. Viewers would see the celebrity instead of the character. With Claffey and Ansell, audiences see Dunk and Egg.
There was actually a moment recently when fans thought Cavill might be joining the cast. Ansell mentioned something in an interview that caused speculation to run wild. Claffey had to step in and clarify on Instagram that the comment had nothing to do with Henry Cavill coming into the show or the Game of Thrones universe. He added that he wishes it were true, but it was a complete misunderstanding .
That rumor showed exactly why casting unknowns works. When fans hear about a major star possibly joining, it becomes a distraction. With Claffey and Ansell, the focus stays on the story.
The Chemistry That Makes the Show Work
Any road trip story lives or dies based on the chemistry between its two leads. Dunk and Egg spend most of their time traveling together, talking, and getting into trouble. If audiences do not believe their bond, the show falls apart.
From everything shown in the first season, Claffey and Ansell have that connection. Parker mentioned that the casting process for Egg was extensive. Ansell was actually the first actor the casting director sent for the role. Parker watched the tape and immediately thought it was perfect and that they had found their guy. But the casting director insisted on going through a full process and seeing other actors. After all of that, they came back to number one .
That thorough search ensured that whoever played Egg would have the right dynamic with Claffey. The result is a pair that feels natural together, like they have been traveling through Westeros for years.
Supporting Cast Adds Depth Without Stealing Focus
While Dunk and Egg are the heart of the show, they are surrounded by a talented group of character actors who bring the world to life. HBO announced several additions to the cast, including Finn Bennett as the cruel Prince Aerion Targaryen, Bertie Carvel as the noble Prince Baelor Targaryen, and Daniel Ings as the swaggering Ser Lyonel Baratheon, also known as The Laughing Storm .
These are experienced actors. Carvel won a Tony Award for his stage work and appeared in The Crown. Bennett broke out in True Detective: Night Country. Ings starred in Netflix’s The Gentlemen. But they play supporting roles, allowing the unknowns in the lead parts to carry the story.
Sam Spruell joined as Prince Maekar Targaryen, Aerion’s stern father, while Tanzyn Crawford plays Tanselle, a puppeteer who becomes a friend to Dunk . This mix of fresh faces and experienced performers creates a balanced cast where no one overshadows the story itself.
How Fans and Critics Have Responded
The proof of the casting strategy shows in the numbers. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms currently holds a 95% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes . Episode four even set a new record for the entire Game of Thrones franchise by scoring a 9.7 out of 10 on IMDb, making it the highest-rated episode across all shows, including House of the Dragon .
Fans have embraced Claffey and Ansell in ways they might not have if bigger stars played the roles. The viral video of Ansell learning he got the part helped endear him to audiences before the show even aired. People feel invested in these actors because they are discovering them at the same time.
One fan on social media said the Game of Thrones franchise is more than a fantasy TV show and that it is turning out to be part of us . Another commented that the casting was good because Ansell is exactly what they imagined when reading the books .
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The Deeper Meaning Behind Choosing Unknowns
Casting unknown actors for Dunk and Egg sends a message about what kind of show A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms wants to be. This is not about spectacle or star power. It is about character and story. Dunk is supposed to be a nobody, a hedge knight with no land, no title, and no money. Egg is a boy hiding his true identity. Having famous actors play these parts would have worked against the entire point.
When Claffey met George R.R. Martin on set, the author reportedly told him not to screw up one of his favorite stories . That is pressure, but Claffey seems to have taken it seriously. Parker praised him as a leader on set who set the tone and made everyone around him better .
The show has already been renewed for a second season, with filming beginning in Ireland back in December 2025 . That means audiences will get more time with these characters and these actors. As they grow into their roles, they will only become more beloved.
For viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and around the world, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is currently streaming on HBO Max and Sky Atlantic . The six-episode first season is available now, giving everyone a chance to meet Dunk and Egg for themselves.
Sometimes the smartest decision a studio can make is to step back and let fresh talent shine. With Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell, HBO did exactly that. And the Game of Thrones universe is better for it.
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