Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell, aka Dunk and Egg, appeared at the recently held Dublin Comic Con on March 7, 2026. There, they even held a separate panel where they were asked various questions by the host and audience. He shared his genuine affection for one of Dunk’s most endearing traits: his deep compassion for animals.
Quick read:
• Peter Claffey loves Dunk’s compassionate nature
• This makes him different from the other nobel characters
• It reflects the kind of knight he is under the armour
Credits: HBO
Dunk’s compassionate nature
Peter Claffey’s words were,
“I love that Dunk is really good with animals. I love that so much, and I love how they wrote that into it, talking to his horses and talking to dogs…I just thought that was such a nice quality.”
He highlighted how this quality sets Dunk apart from the other nobel figures in Westeros. Referencing a moment where Dunk rejects Egg’s father, Maekar’s dismissive view like “horses are stupid.” Claffey noted that contrast with a typical Targaryen attitude:
“You’re like, ‘No, I don’t think that’s true.’ … Whereas Dunk is quite, you know, the goodness comes out of him in how he treats animals, which is quite nice.”
There is another scene where Dunk even interacts with a rat when he is arrested. This comes during the prison scene where he is kept by Egg’s family.
Why it resonates
In George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg, Dunk’s gentle interactions with horses, dogs, and other creatures reveal a humble, empathetic core beneath his frame. Claffey’s enthusiasm shows how faithfully the adaptation captures this warmth, making Ser Duncan not just a knight, but a truly honourable man whose kindness shines in small, everyday moments.
Fans have long cherished Dunk’s animal-loving nature as proof of his moral compass, and Claffey’s heartfelt praise at Dublin Comic Con only deepens the appreciation for the character.
