Former Connacht rugby player cast as lead character in new Game of Thrones prequel series

The much-anticipated Game of Thrones spin-off has cast its two leads.

The HBO show will adapt the Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas written by George R.R. Martin, which are set in the same world as the author’s hit Game of Thrones books.

The plot synopsis for the new series reads:

Having played rugby from 2015 to 2018, Claffey then trained as an actor before making his professional stage debut in the Abbey Theatre in 2022 and going on to land roles in the shows Bad Sisters and Harry Wild.

The Irish man’s upcoming projects also include the Cillian Murphy-starring drama movie Small Things Like These, as well as season three of the Netflix series Vikings: Valhalla.

Peter Claffey cast as lead character in new Game of Thrones prequel series

His child co-star Ansell, meanwhile, has already appeared in the TV show The Midwich Cuckoos and the horror film The Moor.

He also portrayed Young Coriolanus Snow in the recent blockbuster The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Along with announcing the casting news, HBO stated that George R.R. Martin will write and executive produce A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.