Peter Claffey, who stars as Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, has shared his honest feelings about the show’s fan reception. As a longtime Game of Thrones fan himself, he admitted he was nervous about how audiences would respond to the new series.
Quick read:
- Peter Claffey was concerned about AKOTSK’s fan reception
- The main reason for his worry was the series’ different tone from Game of Thrones
- According to him, episodes 3, 4 and 5 changed the momentum
Credit: HBO
A different tone from Game of Thrones
In an interview with The Playlist, Claffey explained why he wasn’t sure the show would immediately click with every Game of Thrones viewer:
“It’s so different as well. And I don’t know if every Game of Thrones fan is in love with the show too, because it’s a totally different aspect.”
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He highlighted the series’ lovely magical aspect and its earthy, homey feel, which he believes resonates with many people. However, he noted that the show takes time to build momentum and doesn’t reach the “messy, violent greatness” of Game of Thrones right away.
“I was just nervous for people to stick through because it takes a while in that first season to get to that Game of Thrones… really like messy, violent greatness. You really have to stick through.”
Claffey hoped viewers would fall in love with the characters early enough to stay invested.
Credit: HBO
The moment fans embraced the show
His worries eased as the season progressed. Claffey revealed that the strong audience reaction to episodes 3, 4, and 5 confirmed the show had won over fans:
“It seems to have. The reaction to episodes three, four, and five is amazing.”
He credited the success to staying faithful to George R.R. Martin’s original novella, describing it as “an incredible story” that becomes even more powerful when fully absorbed.
“The thing was just to do justice to that novella… Thankfully, Ira [Parker] did such an amazing job translating it to the screen. And once you do that story justice, I knew that people would enjoy it for sure.”
A faithful adaptation that’s winning hearts
By focusing on character relationships, especially the warm bond between Dunk and Egg, the series offers something fresh within the Westeros universe. The slower-burn storytelling and intimate tone have clearly paid off, turning initial curiosity into genuine love from fans.
Claffey’s comments reflect the team’s dedication to honouring Martin’s source material while creating a show that feels both familiar and new. With season 2 already in production, the positive momentum from the later episodes of season 1 suggests A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has built a strong foundation for the future.
