‘Dunk’ A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Height and Background Revealed

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the highly anticipated fantasy drama TV series created by Ira Parker and George R.R. Martin, is set to premiere on January 18, 2026 (ET) as a prequel to Game of Thrones. Among the characters capturing fans’ attention is the towering Ser Duncan the Tall, or ‘Dunk’, portrayed by former rugby professional Peter Claffey.

Peter Claffey, an Irish actor, impressed audiences with his commanding presence, even making his horse appear small compared to his physique. Reports confirm that the actor stands at 6-foot-5, a height that contributed to landing the role, although it falls short of the character’s book height of 6-foot-11. Parker noted, “We were looking for as tall as possible in that age range. The book character is 6-foot-11. After meeting Peter, it really couldn’t have been anyone else. We were so lucky that he exists in this world.”

Before acting, Claffey played rugby for Ireland’s under-20 national team. However, he clarified, “It was hard to figure out a new identity. I took a chance. I couldn’t have made it without my parents’ help. Thankfully, it’s paid off.” Despite his athletic background, Peter said rugby did little to prepare him for the brawls of a knight: “My head was glued between two (teammates’) arses, being rammed forward by three other (teammates). There wasn’t much room for punching opponents in a scrum.”

Peter underwent a two-month training camp before filming and was paired with Dexter Sol Ansell, who plays the diminutive Egg, standing just 4-foot-8. Parker remarked that Peter’s size and resilience mirrored Dunk’s character traits in the series: “The only things Dunk has is size and his ability to just keep getting up after being knocked down. If that’s not part of being a rugby player, I don’t know what is.”

Claffey’s prior acting credits include Apple+’s Bad Sisters and Small Things Like These, and he expressed excitement about stepping into the iconic prequel: “I was a huge ‘Game of Thrones’ fan, so I understand the fan passion. It’s daunting and terrifying to step into this as the main protagonist. So that definitely contributed to my anxiety.”

With his impressive stature, athleticism, and dedication, Peter Claffey brings George R.R. Martin’s legendary knight to life, blending physicality and heart in the role of Ser Duncan the Tall.