Peter Claffey, the actor behind Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, has revealed how the early start of season 2 filming helped him cope with anxiety over the first season’s reception.
Quick read:
- Claffey kept himself busy with season 2’s shoot while season 1 was telecasted
- He was really nervous about the fan reception
- The main reason for his nervousness was AKOTSK being very different from GOT
Credits: HBO
Nervous about fan reaction to season 1
As a huge Game of Thrones fan himself, Claffey admitted he was extremely nervous about how audiences would respond to the new series, which has a noticeably different tone; warmer, more intimate, and slower-burning than its predecessor. In a recent interview with The Playlist, he opened up about the pressure:
“I think, to be honest, it was actually better because I was so nervous about how the reaction would be to the first season.”
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He explained that waiting at home for reviews and fan opinions would have been much harder.
“It would have been a lot harder if I was just sitting at home twiddling my thumbs and being there from the center to absorb that reaction.”
The benefit of staying busy on set
Instead, Claffey found relief in being back at work. Filming season 2 provided a healthy distraction and a positive focus during the uncertain period when season 1 was airing.
“It was good to be at work and doing something to keep your mind off it. It was good to have something to be focused on and work through.”
This unusual production timeline with season 2 already greenlit and filming underway before season 1 even premiered, turned out to be a blessing for the cast, especially Claffey. He recently confirmed that the team is halfway through filming season 2, which is based on George R.R. Martin’s novella ‘The Sworn Sword.’
A positive outlook for Dunk & Egg
Claffey’s comments highlight the strong bond within the cast and crew, as well as the confidence HBO has shown in the series. The early renewal allowed the production to maintain momentum while season 1 gradually won over viewers, particularly with stronger reactions starting from episodes 3–5 onward.
By staying immersed in the world of Dunk and Egg, Claffey avoided the intense scrutiny that many actors face during a premiere window. His grounded and honest take shows the human side of working on a major franchise. With season 2 well underway and expected to wrap filming around mid-2026, fans can look forward to more adventures from the honorable giant knight and his clever young squire in the near future.
