Eleven-year-old Dexter Sol Ansell, star of HBO’s new series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, says author George R.R. Martin himself is still unsure about the ultimate fate of his character, Egg – a secret Targaryen prince. The revelation came during a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, as the show concludes its six-episode run.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, adapted from Martin’s novella The Hedge Knight, offers a stark contrast to the sprawling, often brutal narratives of its predecessors, Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. Instead of focusing on dynastic struggles and dragon warfare, the series follows the journey of Egg, posing as a commoner squire, and his protector, the hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk). The show’s comparatively lighter tone has resonated with audiences, focusing on character development and smaller-scale conflicts.
Ansell, who has not watched Game of Thrones due to its mature content, described the world he knows as one “with a load of dragons, and they all want to be the king or the queen or whatever.” He also noted a familial connection to a prominent figure from the earlier series, adding, “apparently I have a really solid granddaughter,” likely referring to Daenerys Targaryen, Egg’s descendant who ultimately ruled King’s Landing before her downfall.
The actor discussed the challenge of portraying Egg’s dual identity – a commoner striving to remain inconspicuous while simultaneously possessing the inherent bearing of a prince. “The outfit definitely makes me feel more royal,” Ansell said, referring to the Targaryen attire Egg briefly wears. “But I tried to play it pretty much the same. It’s very hard because I have to be a smallfolk boy and then I also have to have that element of being a prince.” He recounted a scene where Egg displays knowledge beyond his assumed station, prompting a skeptical reaction from Dunk.
The relationship between Egg and Dunk is central to the series. Ansell described Egg’s desire to impress Dunk, contrasting it with his strained relationships within his own family. “When he’s around all these major things, he wants to seem royal and be fancy. But when he’s around Dunk, he wants to be modest and kind of curl up into a ball,” he explained. He added that Egg’s past experiences with cruelty from figures like his uncle Aerion Brightflame fuel his desire for genuine connection.
The series finale reveals that Egg’s decision to squire for Dunk was made without his father’s permission, setting the stage for potential consequences. Ansell suggested Egg’s motivation stemmed from a fear of being controlled or harmed by his family. “Maybe it was because people are dying, Aerion’s been sent to the Free Cities, and Egg’s thinking, I’m coming up. I’m going to be next. I’m going to be taken away. I’m going to be killed. So he’s like, I’m just gonna get out of here.”
Ansell acknowledged the darker potential within Egg’s Targaryen lineage, referencing a moment where Egg contemplates violence against his brother Aerion. Even though, he emphasized that Egg’s actions are ultimately driven by a desire for acceptance and kindness. He also reflected on the tragic death of Baelor Breakspear, a character Dunk admired, and the shared guilt surrounding the event. “I think Egg’s kindness killed Baelor ” Ansell stated. “I went to Dunk saying, ‘Move save her.’ And Baelor, because he’s so kind, stood up for Dunk.”
Looking ahead, Ansell admitted he is largely unaware of Egg’s ultimate destiny, including the events surrounding the tragedy at Summerhall. “Everyone has their conspiracies about what they think is going to happen,” he said, adding that Martin himself remains undecided. He also shared a lighthearted detail about his experience on set: offering head-touches to fans in exchange for refreshments, a practice born from his newly shaved head for the role.
