From Scrum To Screen: Peter Claffey Takes Westeros By Storm

The Rise of a New Westeros Star

The Game of Thrones universe is back with a bang on January 18, introducing fans to a fresh face in Westeros – Peter Claffey. The 29-year-old Irish actor, hailing from Portumna, Ireland, is taking on the role of Ser Duncan the Tall in HBO Max's fantasy prequel, 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,' based on George R.R. Martin’s 1998 novella 'The Hedge Knight.'

Claffey promises that the new series will deliver the same intense political drama and gory action fans love, with an unexpected twist of humor. "The comedic aspects of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms are, they’re earned kind of, towards the start. And for any fans that are nervous about that side of things, it all works," Claffey shared with Nerdist. "I, too, was wondering and self-conscious about whether I was going to deliver these lighter things in such a serious world. And it does work in the end."

From Rugby Fields to Acting Stages

Before dazzling audiences on screen, Claffey was making waves on the rugby field. Standing tall at 6 feet, 5 inches, he used his physical prowess as a rugby union player, competing for Ireland’s under-20 national team in the 2016 Six Nations tournament. However, after being released from the Connacht senior team in 2019, Claffey shifted his focus to acting.

He honed his craft at Bow Street Academy in Dublin, making his stage debut in 2022 with the Abbey Theater's production of 'A Whistle in the Dark.' "Iggy is the quietest of them but also the most formidable in a sense," Claffey told the Connacht Tribune about his role. "He only speaks when he feels he needs to but when he does speak, he’s heard."

Facing Challenges on the Small Screen

Taking on the mantle of Ser Duncan in 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' is Claffey's most significant role yet. Paired with Dexter Sol Ansell as Prince Aegon V Targaryen, the duo is expected to bring a new dynamic to the series. Despite his excitement, Claffey admits to feeling the weight of imposter syndrome on set. "Unless you’re Joaquin Phoenix or Christian Bale, where you’re so goddamn good, there’s no way that you couldn’t have that imposter syndrome," he confessed to GQ. "Fortunately for me, it kind of contributed to playing Dunk, because he has all of the same qualities, and nervousness, and the lack of confidence within himself."