At a Glance
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres January 18, 2025 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO
- Peter Claffey plays Ser Duncan, a “normal guy” who doesn’t want the Iron Throne
- The six-episode series is set 100 years before Game of Thrones
- Why it matters: First Thrones spinoff not centered on royalty, offering a fresh perspective on Westeros
A new chapter in the Game of Thrones saga begins with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, marking the franchise’s first spinoff focused on ordinary characters rather than royal bloodlines. Irish actor Peter Claffey takes the lead as Ser Duncan, a self-described “normal guy” navigating the brutal world of Westeros without ambitions for power.
The Terrifying Leap Into Westeros
Claffey admits stepping into the iconic franchise was “terrifying” for a devoted fan. “I was a massive original Game of Thrones series fan. I was there for the whole thing, so I understand the reverence that people have for this show,” the 29-year-old actor tells Ethan R. Coleman.
The pressure weighed heavily during production. “We tried to do as good of a job, to both the book and the TV fans, for sure, in trying to stick to the characters as much as possible. Hopefully, it will get taken well, but it is daunting,” he explains.
Landing the Coveted Role
Securing the part of Ser Duncan required beating out intense competition. “There was a chase for this role” during early casting, Claffey recalls, as “everybody was trying to” land the part.
The former rugby player threw himself into the audition process: “It’s such an amazing novella, and so well written and such a beautiful character that I was just trying my hardest to get the role.”
A Different Kind of Westeros Hero
What makes Duncan unique in the Thrones universe? According to Claffey, he’s “just a normal guy … that doesn’t want to sit atop the Iron Throne.” Instead, “he just wants to be a somewhat respectable knight and maybe sleep under a roof from time to time.”
This moral compass sets Duncan apart in a world known for betrayal and violence. “In the world of Westeros, you’re faced with so much backstabbing and adult themes. For [Duncan] to try and navigate that with a decent moral code, it’s always very admirable,” Claffey notes.
The actor particularly appreciates Duncan’s gentler qualities: “I really love that we’ve leaned towards how good Dunk is with animals as well. That’s always such a nice quality for a human to have.”
The Story Begins
The series opens with Duncan “burying his master, Ser Arlan, and Ser Arlan has left a huge influence on him in regards how to conduct yourself in life,” Claffey reveals.
Following his master’s death, Duncan attempts to honor Arlan’s teachings by pursuing knighthood while maintaining his moral values. This path proves challenging when reality doesn’t match his ideals.
“All these knights that he always had so much respect for and reverence for turn out to be just complete f—ing pieces of shit and really awful people,” Claffey says bluntly. This disillusionment forces Duncan to question everything: “He’s like, ‘Wait, was Ser Arlan right? Or is that the way things are supposed to go?'”
Based on Martin’s Novellas
The HBO series adapts George R. R. Martin’s novellas, following the adventures of Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall and his squire Egg, played by Dexter Sol Ansell. HBO describes Duncan as a “naïve but courageous knight” while Egg serves as his “diminutive squire.”
Set approximately 100 years before Game of Thrones, the six-episode season chronicles their encounters with “great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits” across Westeros.
Production Scale and Challenges
Claffey admits the production scale overwhelmed him: “I’ve never experienced anything of this scale before.” Filming a major HBO series presented new challenges for the actor, who previously worked on smaller projects.
The series represents a significant investment for HBO as they expand the Thrones universe beyond the core royal families that dominated the original show.
What Makes This Spinoff Different
Unlike previous Thrones spinoffs focused on royal succession and palace intrigue, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms grounds its story in the experiences of traveling knights and common folk. This perspective offers viewers a different view of Westeros, showing how ordinary people navigate the political chaos that typically occupies the franchise.
The relationship between Duncan and Egg provides the emotional core, with their master-squire dynamic driving character development across the season.
Premiere Details
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms debuts Sunday, January 18 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO. The series consists of six episodes, though HBO hasn’t announced whether additional seasons are planned.
For Claffey, the premiere date represents both relief and anxiety after months of hoping “that the show gets taken well” by audiences and critics alike.
