Peter Claffey, star of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, says his young co-star Dexter Sol Ansell was born to perform. In People’s exclusive interview, Claffey praised Ansell’s natural ease on the set of the Game of Thrones prequel, calling his 11-year-old costar a “very old soul” and highlighting how grounded the young actor already is in his craft.
Claffey, 29, shares the screen with Ansell throughout much of the series. When filming season 1, Ansell was just 9 years old, yet Claffey says he approached every scene with professionalism and confidence beyond his age. “He’s at home with this stuff,” he told People, emphasizing how comfortable Ansell is in front of cameras and audiences.
Their characters — Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall and his squire Egg — form the heart of the six-episode series set roughly a century before Game of Thrones. The dynamic between adult and child, seasoned actor and rising talent, makes the show feel grounded and emotionally rich. Claffey says part of his role has been keeping Ansell grounded off camera, helping him navigate the demands of production while preserving the young actor’s joy and natural ability.
At New York Comic Con in October, fans saw firsthand how comfortable Ansell is in the spotlight. Claffey noted that while many actors of that age might become nervous at such events, Ansell seemed completely at ease, reinforcing the idea that he was born to perform. The senior actor described him as “good-hearted” and kind, attributes he hopes will keep the young star thriving both in Hollywood and beyond.
Claffey’s own childhood in Ireland was very different from Ansell’s early experience in a global studio environment. Growing up playing sports and living a small-town life, he sees Ansell’s transition into acting as remarkable. Still, Claffey says he takes his mentorship role seriously, balancing encouragement with gentle grounding so that the young actor retains perspective amid a major production.
With A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms already renewed for season 2 before the first premiered, this early praise for Dexter adds to the excitement around the series. Fans can look forward to more of Ansell’s performance and his evolving chemistry with Claffey, a pairing that Claffey says feels like home every time they step into a scene together.
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