Entertainment
12 min read
Who is Peter Claffey? The New Hero of Westeros
Radio Times
January 18, 2026•4 days ago

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Irish actor Peter Claffey has been cast as Ser Duncan the Tall in the upcoming Game of Thrones prequel, "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms." Claffey, a former rugby player, makes his debut as the hedge knight in the series based on George R.R. Martin's "The Tales of Dunk and Egg." The show also features Dexter Sol Ansell as his squire, Egg.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new hero from Westeros in 2026.
The new Game of Thrones prequel/spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is based on The Tales of Dunk and Egg by author George RR Martin and focuses on the adventures of an unlikely duo.
The first of this duo is Dunk AKA Ser Duncan the Tall, a roaming hedge knight who is keen to do his late master proud and in the show, he heads off to a tourney to chase glory. The second is his precocious young squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell).
However, Dunk is soon drawn into danger and even encounters members of the legendary House Targaryen.
But who is actor Peter Claffey, who plays Ser Duncan the Tall? Here's everything you need to know.
Who is Peter Claffey?
Peter Claffey is an Irish actor and former rugby union player.
Claffey was a rugby union player for Galwegians RFC, going on to have a professional contract with Connacht Rugby.
He went on to train in acting and made his professional stage debut in 2022 - meaning he has only been a jobbing actor for a few years.
Outside of his casting as Ser Duncan the Tall in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Claffey is probably best known for his role in Bad Sisters season 2 as Joe Walsh, the boyfriend of Becka (Eve Hewson).
How old is Peter Claffey?
Peter Claffey is 29-years-old.
He was born on 28th July 1996.
What nationality is Peter Claffey?
Peter Claffey is Irish and hails from Portumna, County Galway.
He went to Garbally College and then the University of Galway.
What has Peter Claffey previously starred in?
Following small roles in the TV shows Harry Wild and a guest part in the first season of Bad Sisters, Claffey starred as Cormac Kelly in the BBC Three comedy in the role of Cormac Kelly.
He later starred in four episodes of Vikings: Valhalla before starring opposite Cillian Murphy in the film Small Things Like These, based on the novel of the same name by Claire Keegan.
Claffey returned to Bad Sisters for a larger role in the second season as the partner of Eve Hewson's Becka, before two episodes of the MGM+ series Borderline.
However, his big career moment came about when he was cast by HBO for their new Game of Thrones prequel series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
What has Peter Claffey said about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
Yes, Claffey has been doing the rounds with the press, as one would expect, to promote the series.
Claffey said of his character 'Dunk' to ComicBook.com: "If you were to tell Dunk at that time that he’ll potentially be the head of the Kingsguard, and security guard of the king basically, he wouldn’t believe what you’re saying. All he wants to do is potentially earn some work like Ser Arlan did, live by a decent code; he doesn’t see himself ever coming to that greatness."
However, how does Dunk compare with Game of Thrones' legendary knights Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Jaime Lannister?
He added, “He does, as the lore goes, become one of the great knights. I think he touches the top 10; he loses to a young Barristan Selmy in a tourney later down the line.
"I don’t know how he’d get on against that old Stark from House of the Dragon; he was a badass, or even Jaime Lannister. Actually, no, he’d kick the s**t out of Jaime Lannister."
Read More:
Where was A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms filmed?
Game of Thrones's next sequel idea risks falling into a major TV trap – this is what it should do instead
George RR Martin says his relations with House of the Dragon showrunner are "abysmal" amid changes from the book
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms showrunner confirms show's fate after adapting published Dunk and Egg novellas
Kit Harington "angered" by Game of Thrones fans who petitioned for season 8 remake
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Monday 19th January 2026 – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV.
Add A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
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