In A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Dexter Sol Ansell portrays the role of Egg. Therefore, the showrunner, Ira Parker, has revealed that the young actor was the earliest one to audition for the fantasy drama series, as reported in a tweet by Screentime.
Here is what Parker stated:
“We did do the many-months-long [casting] process then we came all the way back to the beginning."
Keep reading to know more.
Ira Parker reveals the casting of Dexter Sol Ansell in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the prequel to the iconic Game of Thrones, as it is set 100 years before the events of the OG series. This particular series is derived from Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas penned by George R.R. Martin.
It explores the plot of how Egg, who emerges to be King Aegon V Targaryen in the future, sets out on a gallant journey of life with Ser Duncan the Tall.
Its summary, as per IMDb, goes as follows:
"A century before GOT, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his squire, Egg, wandered through Westeros while the Targaryen dynasty ruled the Iron Throne, and dragons were still remembered. Great destinies and enemies await the incomparable friends."
Based on the statement made by Ira Parker, it gives us an idea about the lengthy and painstaking casting process the makers must have gone through. For a spin-off of Game of Thrones, it goes without saying that such a golden opportunity like this would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for actors. As a result, multiple actors have strived to land a part in the series.
Interestingly, Dexter Sol Ansell was the first actor to audition for the role of Egg. So after months of auditions, the makers went back to square one. They finally locked in Ansell for the part, as they deemed the actor to be the apt choice for the role. It means that the 11-year-old star had made a memorable impact on the makers' minds from the very beginning.
The makers have definitely made a great choice in casting Ansell for the part. It is evident in the actor's presence in the series, as he breathes life into Egg's character. It is Dexter Sol Ansell's compelling performance that has proved the makers right about the choice that they made by choosing him. Another important aspect is his on-screen chemistry with Peter Claffey's Ser Duncan the Tall.
Despite watching multiple actors after Ansell's audition, it is noteworthy how his work has been noticed and acknowledged by the makers with care and precision. Going by Ira Parker's statement, we do get an insight into the intricate process of casting, especially for major projects like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
The series has released its first episode, "The Hedge Knight", on January 18, 2026.
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Also read: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Is Dunk’s future already hinted at in Game of Thrones?