“Doesn’t have an ulterior motive”: Peter Claffey on what makes Dunk refreshingly honest

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the latest addition to HBO’s long-running Game of Thrones franchise. Over the years, viewers have met a diverse cast of characters, spanning heroes, villains, and everyone in between. However, there is something about our unconventional new hero, Dunk, that we have not seen before. One of the traits that makes him unique is his honesty. Peter Claffey, who plays the beloved hedge knight, reflected on this in a new interview.

Quick read:

• Peter Claffey spoke about Dunk’s straightforward nature.
• He admitted that other Game of Thrones characters were more sly and strategic.
• He believes that although Dunk is not sure about his ambitions, all he wants is a chance at a normal life.

Peter Claffey on Dunk’s unwavering honesty

Whether he’s explaining to Lyonel Baratheon why he is in his tent or telling Egg exactly what serving him as a squire entails, Dunk is nothing if not honest. In the new podcast episode, Peter Claffey acknowledged the same, saying “Dunk is one of the only people we’ve met in this universe who is striving for something, but doesn’t have an ulterior motive.”

Claffey also pointed out how this makes Dunk different from other Game of Thrones characters. He said, “We’re so used to characters from Game of Thrones, like, with a tunnel vision like, objective of what they want.” Podcast co-host Greta Johnsen noted that the characters we have seen before trick people into helping them, whereas Dunk outright asks for the help he needs. The Irish star agreed saying, “They’re using sly strategies and politics to get through.”

Peter Claffey’s thoughts about what Dunk wants

Dunk is a simple character, which has become quite clear in the two episodes that have aired so far. He has no grand ambitions and carries trauma and insecurities much like anyone else. Speaking about Dunk’s goals, Claffey said, “In his head, obviously, he’s not 100 percent clear on what he wants, but I think like, he just thinks, you know, ‘If I could be in some household and live under a roof and be able to have a drink of wine and have some bread in the evening and not fear for my life every night,’ he’s like, ‘Yeah, that’d be great.’”

All Dunk had as family was Ser Arlan, and what little he inherited was hardly enough to live a normal life. Winning the tourney at Ashford Meadow, he believes, could finally offer him a life beyond sleeping under trees and surviving on hard salt beef each night.