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6'5 ex-rugby prospect set for leading role in new Game of Thrones spin-off
By Ian Cameron
A former Irish rugby player is set to take the leading role in a new Game of Thrones spin-off. Ex-Connacht rugby player Peter Claffey is set to star in 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight,' an upcoming prequel series to "Game of Thrones" by HBO.
The series will adapt George R.R. Martin's 'Tales of Dunk and Egg' novellas, set in the same universe as his renowned "Game of Thrones" books.
This role in a series marks a significant step in Claffey's acting journey.
Claffey had a promising rugby career before turning to acting. A product of Galwegians RFC and a former student of Garbally College, Claffey distinguished himself as an amateur before breaking into the Connacht Academy.
The then 6'5, 119kg forward represented Connacht at various age-grade levels, where he played primarily as a lock, but fell short of winning a cap for Connacht before leaving the sport.
"I worked my ass off and tried to prove myself every single day especially when it became clear that I was never going to be on the teamsheet for the weekend. That was tough," said Claffey in an interview with Rugby Players Ireland back in 2020. "I definitely thought there was a cap in me. The fact I didn’t get it was the hardest part of being let go last year but that’s just the way the cookie crumbles…”
Having shed several kilos of muscle mass, Claffey transitioned into acting, leaving behind the rugby field for the stage and screen. It's been an inspired career choice.
He made his professional stage debut at the renowned Abbey Theatre in 2022. His burgeoning career quickly gathered momentum, securing roles in the television shows Bad Sisters and Harry Wild. The Irish actor's trajectory continues upward with notable upcoming projects including the drama movie Small Things Like These featuring Cillian Murphy, and a role in season three of the Netflix series Vikings: Valhalla.
Connacht tweeted yesterday: "Incredible news for our former player Peter Claffey, who’s been cast in a leading role in the Game of Thrones prequel! Congrats Peter from all of us in the club. Don’t forget your rugby roots when you’re famous."
There's no doubting the success of the franchise he's entering. Game of Thrones has amassed significant revenue over its original eight-season run, reportedly generating billions of dollars in revenue.
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Latest Comments
33, unlikely?
It’s actually an interesting question, how does his RL career impact you perception of his ‘rugby age’?
I’d imagine he’s fresher than a 26 yo rugby player, he’s fitting and done more k’s, but had less impacts (unsure of his injuries).
Anyway, your conclusion doesn’t really hit the mark. What you’ve not asked yourself is would he be better at 33, with 6 years under his belt, than 28/9, and only 2 years experience. If he really is considering it a major goal of course, he may just want an Olympic medal and leave etc.
Still, in relation to your topic, what I suspected would be his thinking is the ever increasing value in playing in Japan. Perhaps he’d try and give this first WC a go, trying to make it in the All Blacks, obviously playing Super Rugby, then he’d take a much bigger contract in Japan? Learn how to run around people with better accuracy and consistency (rofl), and then return to NZ as an improved player to Australia 2027, with the hope to fine tune further and make the most of his marketability in the bonanza that America 2031 is going to leave behind. 33 is still prime earning age and who knows what the MLR market is going to be like them, if teams have started to have major backers etc.
It’s all about the money afterall (yes, I wasn’t referring to his ability re USA31’)!
Go to commentsNo, just an overly zealous fan who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
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