Sometimes the most powerful lines in fantasy television are delivered under the strangest circumstances. For Dexter Sol Ansell, who plays Egg in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, his iconic plea — “get up Ser Duncan!” — wasn’t spoken to co‑star Peter Claffey at all. In a new Gold Derby interview, Ansell admitted the scene required him to act opposite a tennis ball, forcing him to summon emotion by picturing Claffey in peril.
Quick read
- Ansell delivered Egg’s “get up Ser Duncan!” line to a tennis ball.
- He imagined Peter Claffey there to make the moment real.
- He says Claffey is “so special” to him.
Acting opposite a tennis ball
Ansell recalled the unusual setup: “I was talking to a tennis ball. It was really hard. I didn’t think about the tennis ball being there; I pictured Peter there. He’s so special to me, and I actually thought, ‘He’s about to die.’ In those moments, that’s how I make myself feel.” His words highlight the emotional bond between Egg and Dunk’s actors, showing how off‑screen friendship fuels on‑screen authenticity.
Ser Duncan the Tall in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms|HBO
Growing through the role
Ansell also reflected on how playing Egg has expanded his range as a performer. He explained that the role allowed him to explore comedy, emotion, and even singing — skills he hadn’t realized he possessed before joining the production. The experience of working with directors Owen Harris and Sarah Adina Smith on season 1 helped him grow, turning what began as a daunting challenge into a transformative journey as an actor.
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