While A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms earned Emmy recognition as a series, showrunner Ira Parker believes one person deserved individual attention as well: Peter Claffey.
Speaking after the Emmy nominations were announced, Parker reflected on the enormous challenge of casting and portraying Ser Duncan the Tall. According to the showrunner, Claffey’s work as Dunk was one of the most impressive performances he has ever witnessed during a television production.
Quick read:
- Ira Parker praised Peter Claffey’s performance.
- He called Dunk a difficult role to cast.
- The showrunner felt Claffey deserved recognition.
Parker says few people understand how difficult Dunk was
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Parker explained that working alongside Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell throughout production gave him a firsthand appreciation for what they accomplished.
Discussing Claffey’s portrayal of Dunk, Parker said:
“Just being in the trenches with Peter and Dexter throughout this process — and especially Peter, because of the performance he pulled off, the physicality and everything that was involved.”
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The showrunner went even further, arguing that viewers may not fully appreciate the scale of the challenge.
“I guess maybe it’s impossible for people to see, but it is truly one of the more extraordinary pieces of work I’ve ever seen somebody manage throughout the course of a production.”
Parker also emphasized that the role demanded much more than simply looking like Dunk.
“It was not easy, and he somehow did it with a smile on his face.”
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Casting Dunk and Egg was an “insane ask”
Parker also used the interview to praise casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Buckman for finding actors capable of bringing Dunk and Egg to life.
“Lucy Bevan and Emily Buckman, our casting directors, found the only two people on planet Earth who could play these roles.”
Explaining the challenge, he added:
“These were two insane asks — a 7-foot giant and an 8-year-old kid who has to be your second lead.”
Parker then broadened the praise to the entire cast and crew, noting that everything had to be built from scratch for a first-season production.
“It just — yeah. Yeah. Look, anyway, we’re extremely grateful for recognition of the whole show.”
Even so, fans reading Parker’s comments will likely come away with one clear takeaway: while he appreciates the show’s Emmy recognition, he believes Claffey’s work as Dunk deserved to be in the awards conversation as well.
Read next: Peter Claffey warns A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 2 has “a lot more sadness”
