The camaraderie between Dexter Sol Ansell and Peter Claffey extends far beyond the set of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. In a new interview, Ansell revealed that he and Claffey, who play Egg and Dunk respectively, have become best friends off‑camera — spending their downtime locked in friendly competition. From chess matches to weekend arcade trips, the duo’s bond mirrors the mentor‑student relationship their characters share on screen. And when it comes to Mario Kart, Ansell insists he’s the reigning champion.
Quick read:
- Ansell and Claffey bonded over chess games on set.
- Finn Bennett (Aerion) helped Claffey improve his chess skills.
- They spend weekends at the arcade playing Mario Kart
Best friends on and off set
Ansell described their friendship in an interview with Awards Buzz: “We’re definitely best friends. Off‑camera and on set we always played chess games. We’re pretty even now. At the start I was definitely much better, but then Finn Bennett, who plays Aerion, taught Peter some things and now it goes back and forth.” The actor’s comments highlight how the cast’s relationships have grown as naturally as their characters’ bonds in Westeros.
Image: HBO
Mario Kart rivalry
Most weekends, Ansell and Claffey head to the arcade, where their rivalry shifts from chessboards to racing tracks. “Most weekends we go to the arcade and play Mario Kart. I beat him though. I’m serious. When you beat him, you’re better than Peter. (Laughs)” Ansell joked, making clear that in the world of arcade racing, Egg has the upper hand over Dunk.
Add WoT as a preferred source on Google.
Arcade tricks and playful competition
Ansell also shared his knack for arcade games beyond Mario Kart: “I also used to win all the tickets at this hammer machine game where you have to hit it not too hard and not too soft. I figured out how to trick it, but then the guy at the arcade reprogrammed it, so now I can’t do it anymore.” His playful anecdotes show how the young cast members balance the intensity of filming with lighthearted fun.
