Peter Claffey opens up about his big break in The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Peter Claffey opens up about his big break in The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

• Peter Claffey stars as Ser Duncan the Tall in HBO's The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
• The series streams in India on JioHotstar from January 19 in multiple languages
• The show offers a character-driven story set decades before Game of Thrones

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Actor Peter Claffey, who steps into the legendary boots of Ser Duncan the Tall in HBO’s upcoming series The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, has spoken about the nervous excitement and unexpected journey that led him into the world of Westeros. The show, set in the same universe as Game of Thrones, is set to stream in India on JioHotstar from January 19, with versions available in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and English.

Claffey revealed that when the audition brief first landed in his inbox, he had no idea just how close it would take him to one of television’s most iconic fantasy worlds. “My UK-based agent sent over this brief for a tape. I was a big fan of Game of Thrones, the original TV show and I obviously knew the world, but I didn't know of the book of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” he shared. While he was aware of Ser Duncan the Tall by name, the deeper lore was unfamiliar territory. “I had heard of Ser Duncan the Tall sporadically but I got these couple of scenes, didn't really know what they were and just tried to give them the best shot I could.”

What followed was a tense waiting game that many actors know all too well. Claffey described the moment he received a callback as both thrilling and terrifying. “Then I got a recall which meant, ‘Oh God, there's something that they actually liked,’” he said. As the process moved forward, the pressure only increased. “You get further down the line and closer and closer to it… I was losing sleep and terrified knowing I was so close.”

Landing the role finally brought relief and disbelief in equal measure. Reflecting on that moment, Claffey said, “I suppose I must have done something right to get it in the end.” Taking on the role of the much-loved knight, known for his honesty, strength, and moral compass, is something the actor clearly holds with pride.

Set decades before the events of Game of Thrones, The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms promises a more intimate, character-driven story, focusing on personal journeys rather than sprawling battles. With Claffey leading the charge as Ser Duncan the Tall, the series offers fans a fresh, grounded entry point into Westeros while staying true to the spirit that made the original saga unforgettable.