In the emotional aftermath of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 finale, young star Dexter Sol Ansell (Egg) has given fans a new perspective on one of the show’s most devastating moments: the death of Prince Baelor. In a candid new interview with Vulture following the finale, Ansell revealed how Egg truly felt about his uncle Baelor and why the loss lands much harder on Dunk than Egg himself.
Quick read:
• Egg had a respectful but distant relationship with his uncle Baelor
• Baelor stood up for Dunk during dire need
• Baelor’s death’s guilt lies upon multiple characters of the show
Why Baelor’s death hits different for Dunk vs Egg
Dexter Sol Ansell commented upon how Baelor’s death affected Egg as his youngest nephew.
“Egg really liked Baelor, but he didn’t show it because he never spent too much time around Baelor. Baelor was probably busy in meetings and things. But he’s actually the nicest one of all the Targaryens, and it hurts. But it hurts Dunk way more than it hurts Egg because Baelor is the person Dunk actually looked up to and thought was a great person. Baelor helped him and fought with him in the Trial of Seven, and he just died.”
Ansell’s insight perfectly captures the heart of the Dunk and Egg dynamic. For Egg (Prince Aegon V Targaryen), Baelor was a kind but distant royal uncle, someone he admired quietly from afar. For Dunk however, Baelor was a hero in the flesh. He was the prince who believed in him, fought beside him in the Trial of Seven, and showed him what true knighthood looks like.
Ser Duncan and Prince Baelor in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (Image: HBO)
Baelor’s sudden, tragic death in Dunk’s arms after taking a fatal blow meant to protect the hedge knight becomes a defining scar for Dunk. It’s not just the loss of a good man. It’s the loss of the ideal knight Dunk has been chasing his whole life.
This moment echoes straight from George R.R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight novella but feels even more intimate on screen; thanks to Peter Claffey’s raw performance as Dunk and Bertie Carvel’s noble turn as Baelor.
What it means for the story ahead
Ansell’s comments also hint at the long-term emotional weight this will carry into the show’s season 2 and beyond. While Egg processes the loss with quiet Targaryen reserve, Dunk’s guilt and grief will shape every future choice he makes and every lesson he passes on to the boy who will one day become King Aegon V. The interview also touches on guilt surrounding Baelor’s death, leaving fans debating who carries the heaviest burden: Maekar, Aerion, Dunk, or even Egg himself.
