'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' stars Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell on becoming Westeros' lovable duo: 'Dunk and Egg are so much like us in real life'- EXCLUSIVE

'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' stars Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell on becoming Westeros’ lovable duo: Dunk and Egg are so much like us in real life


Taking a detour from the dragons, bloodbath and politics, 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' brings fans of 'Game of Thrones' a new tale of hope, humility and heroism. At the heart of this 'tall tale' are Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell, as the unlikely yet instantly endearing duo of Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire, Egg.


In a candid chat with ETimes, Peter and Dexter, spilled the beans on their instant and easy chemistry that have fans hooked in just one episode. We asked Peter and Dexter how much of their real personalities found their way into George R R Martin’s beloved characters.


Peter took the lead and said, "Well, also our characters are so much like us in real life. And they’re just perfect," adding, "it’s destined to be."


Dexter was quick to jump in, saying, "Probably, the funny aspects I brought (to the show)... There’s some good funny moments. And (my) confidence, definitely confidence."


Peter nods along, before opening up about how his own nerves shaped Ser Dunk's portrayal in ways he hadn’t expected. He recalled, "I was so nervous for all the start of the audition process and even the rehearsals and meeting Irene Owen, who was our first block director. And I’d be constantly apologising, saying like, ‘I’m sorry, I’m just nervous’ and stuff.”


What surprised him, though, was how welcomed his vulnerability was on the sets. Expressing his surprise, he shared, "They were like, 'that’s good because it has to be like that'. So it was easy to sort of bring that nervous sort of atmosphere and aura into things."


With the two now stepping into the Game of Thrones lore, their pairing, although unlikely, is quickly growing on fans. When asked which were their favourite pairings, Peter admits his choices might raise a few eyebrows. "I was a fan of like the Hound and Arya so much, and I liked them together," he says, before laughing. "But then it was just too rough. I didn’t like their duo that way... I wanted them to separate as quick as possible. They weren’t a duo, but I loved seeing Tyrion and Joffrey. Peter Dinklage and Jack Gleeson just constantly talking to each other in the most vile way. I loved seeing those two on screen together. That was amazing.”


Dexter, meanwhile, has his own favourite pairing. He picked characters from the new show- Maekar Targaryen and his son Aerion Targaryen, played by Sam Spruell and Finn Bennett, respectively. Dexter shared, "I love Maekar and Aerion… they’re absolutely hilarious. In the scenes, they’re like, ‘What are you doing, you idiot,’ and whacking him out of the way. It’s so funny seeing Sam and Finn like talking to each other now and like getting on so well. Because they were so awful to each other on screen."


'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' is adapted from George RR Martin's novella 'The Hedge Knight', focusing on the exploits of the knight Ser Duncan the Tall, set to be played by Peter Claffey. His young squire, Egg, will be portrayed by Dexter Sol Ansell.


The show will be set nearly 100 years before the events of GOT and another 100 years after the events of 'House of the Dragon'.