From Rugby Dreams to Westeros: Peter Claffey’s Journey to ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’

Many years before Peter Claffey delivered a critically-acclaimed performance in HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, he was a young Irish boy dreaming of playing rugby union for his country. Claffey, 29, who plays Ser Duncan the Tall in the Game of Thrones spin-off fantasy series based on a book by George R.R. Martin, began playing rugby at age 11 in Portumna, County Galway, in the Republic of Ireland.

Early Rugby Career

Growing to 6ft 5in (196cm) tall, Claffey progressed to playing for Ireland Under-20s in the Six Nations tournament and trained with the senior squad at Connacht, one of the four Irish sides competing in the 16-team United Rugby Championship. Nigel Carolan, his former Connacht and Ireland Under-20s coach, described him as a determined player.

“He was a bit like his character in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. He was always a big, gangly fellow. His rugby skills probably weren’t his strength at the time. But what he did have is he was a big man, and we knew he was going to be a big man. He had a drive and determination to produce it, and worked really hard. In the gym, he built himself up to be very fit and athletic.”

Carolan, now assistant coach at Glasgow Warriors, recalled first meeting Claffey at age 15 and coaching him until he was 22, the age Claffey transitioned from rugby to pursue a career in acting. He remembered Claffey’s comedic talent during a mockumentary created by the Connacht academy players, where Claffey accurately impersonated Carolan himself.

A Pivotal Shift to Acting

Despite his dedication, Claffey faced challenges in progressing to professional rugby. A head injury during the 2016 Six Nations campaign temporarily halted his progress, and strong competition for positions ultimately prevented him from being capped by the senior team. The transition was demanding, with Claffey expressing feelings of isolation as many of his academy peers moved forward in their careers.

He signed a development contract, allowing him to train with the Connacht senior side, but ultimately decided to pivot to acting at age 22. He studied acting at Bow Street Academy in Dublin while continuing to play rugby for Terenure College.

Rising Through the Acting Ranks

In 2022, Claffey made his stage debut at The Abbey Theatre in Dublin. He secured minor roles in the movie Small Things Like These, starring Cillian Murphy, and the Apple TV series Bad Sisters, later being recalled to the latter with a promised expansion of his role. His breakthrough came in April 2024 with the announcement that he would play Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

A Natural Fit for Dunk

Carolan, who remained in contact with Claffey, was impressed by his casting. He believed Claffey embodied the character, noting that his mannerisms and expressions were remarkably similar to his real-life persona.

“I didn’t think he was acting,” Carolan said. “That’s how perfectly he was cast. He was just being Peter. The way he spoke, his expressions, the way he carried himself, they were exactly the same as I would have experienced. It was very natural.”

Claffey’s brother, John, also continues to play rugby for Galway Corinthians, and the two have played together on the same team. Friends and former teammates praise Claffey’s dedication and positive spirit, both on and off the field.

Current Perform

Claffey is currently filming season two of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The first series of six episodes has received positive reviews.