Ronny Sianturi
An 11-year-old Dexter Sol Ansell, with hands pressed to his cheeks and mouth agape in mock astonishment, offers a vivid reenactment of a memorable encounter. This youthful British star, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, recounts a serendipitous meeting with comedy icon Steve Carell at HBO Max’s recent U.K. launch party. The event, a significant moment for the streaming giant’s expansion into the British market, brought together a constellation of talent and industry heavyweights. Ansell, navigating the bustling venue, found himself unexpectedly face-to-face with the celebrated actor. "I go around, I’m just saying hi to people, and people are saying hi. And then I walk around this corner, and there’s just Steve Carell on a chair," he explains, his voice filled with the lingering wonder of the moment.
His initial hesitation, a testament to his youthful awe, was overcome by his mother’s gentle encouragement. "I was like, ‘Should I say hi or should I not? I don’t know what to do!’ and Mummy went, ‘Oh, go on, just say hi,’" Ansell shares. The ensuing interaction was, by all accounts, a delightful surprise for the young actor. "So I creeped over, and then I went, ‘Hi,’ and he went, ‘Omg! I love you! You’re amazing!’ Steve Carell knows who I am? That was crazy." This candid anecdote not only highlights Ansell’s starstruck moment but also offers a glimpse into the approachable nature of established Hollywood figures at such industry gatherings.
The term "crazy" aptly encapsulates the whirlwind trajectory of Dexter Sol Ansell’s career, which began with his first audition at the tender age of four for the U.K. soap opera Emmerdale. Since then, he has consistently impressed audiences and critics alike. His early work includes a notable role in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, where he portrayed a young Coriolanus Snow, and a pivotal part in the 2024 mystery-horror film The Moor. However, it was his co-leading role in the first season of Ira Parker’s Game of Thrones spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, that propelled him into the global spotlight.
A Knight’s Ascent: Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg
Ansell’s portrayal of the charmingly mischievous squire Egg, later revealed to be Prince Aegon Targaryen, in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has been widely lauded. The series, which premiered in January on HBO, offered a lighter, more adventurous tone compared to its predecessors, Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. This departure from the often grim narratives of the Thrones universe was met with near-universal acclaim. Critics praised Ansell and his co-star Peter Claffey (who plays Ser Duncan the Tall) for their compelling performances and undeniable chemistry, solidifying the show’s success as a fresh and engaging addition to the franchise. The initial reception and critical consensus suggested a promising future for this prequel, rooted in George R. R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas.
Currently filming the second season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms in Ireland, Ansell, with his signature freshly shaved head, brings an immediate sense of the character’s "Egg-ness" to his conversations. His mother, Debbie, remains a supportive presence, assisting with details from his burgeoning career, a natural extension of his early start in the industry. The past six months have been particularly momentous for Ansell, culminating in his recognition as IMDb’s youngest-ever STARmeter Award recipient. The whirlwind of premieres, high-profile events, and the constant buzz of his friends sharing a custom WhatsApp GIF of his character underscore the rapid ascent of his career.
Echoes from the Books: George R. R. Martin’s Approval
Ansell’s interpretation of Egg garnered early praise from the legendary George R. R. Martin himself. The author, whose Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas form the basis of the series, expressed his satisfaction with Ansell’s performance. Recalling their meeting, Ansell shared, "He’s very happy. He didn’t give me any advice. He said, ‘You look and sound like you just jumped out of the books.’ That was fun." Ansell further elaborated on the striking resemblance between himself and the character’s depiction in the graphic novel adaptations, humorously suggesting a predestined connection: "If you actually look at the drawings, which were drawn, like, five years before I was born – they could have made it then, but they didn’t. They waited for me," he quipped, his youthful exuberance evident.
The young actor finds significant parallels between his own personality and that of Egg. "He has lots of humor, and he’s very funny, like me. I can be quite funny sometimes," Ansell observed, a sentiment echoed by those who have interacted with him. However, embodying Egg presented its own set of challenges, particularly in navigating the character’s dual identity. "There were some really hard moments where I had to juggle being a Targaryen and being just a stable boy, and if you watch season one, you can see the little moments where I’m juggling Targaryen-ness and squire-ness. That was a lot of hard work [I put] into that." This nuanced portrayal showcases Ansell’s developing understanding of character depth and dramatic complexity, even as he navigates the limitations of not having seen much of the more adult-oriented Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon.
A Budding Friendship and Musical Aspirations
A significant highlight of Ansell’s experience on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has been the development of a strong friendship with his co-star, Peter Claffey. Their bond extends beyond the set, with Claffey visiting Ansell’s home for a weekend that coincided with the U.K.’s Grand National horse racing event. Ansell spoke enthusiastically about Claffey’s talents, revealing, "He’s a really good singer, and he plays the guitar really well." This shared passion for music has sparked an idea for a future collaboration: "We can both sing, so we should write some songs and make an album,” Ansell declared with youthful optimism. “Call it Double Trouble!" This playful suggestion hints at the genuine camaraderie and creative synergy present on the set.
When pressed about details regarding the upcoming second season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Ansell, demonstrating remarkable professionalism for his age, politely deferred. "I’m having a lot of fun, but if you really want to know more, there is a book!" he advised, emphasizing the source material as the primary resource for eager fans. This diplomatic response underscores his maturity and understanding of the production’s need for confidentiality while also encouraging engagement with Martin’s original works.
Beyond Westeros: The Emotional Depth of "500 Miles"
While A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms continues to be a significant focus, the call with Ansell was also to discuss his latest feature film, 500 Miles, which premiered in U.K. cinemas on Friday, June 26. This independent film, an adaptation of Mark Lowery’s novel Charlie and Me by Malcolm Campbell and directed by Morgan Matthews, represents a deliberate choice by Ansell to explore different facets of filmmaking. "I really wanted to do a good feature film – a good independent film," Ansell stated. "So I was like, ‘This is great. I love the story, I loved the character I was playing, so I thought, ‘Let’s do it.’"
500 Miles is a poignant blend of British and Irish cinema that follows two brothers, Charlie (played by Ansell) and Finn (Roman Griffin Davis), on an arduous 500-mile journey from Sheffield to the west coast of Ireland. Their destination is their estranged grandfather, John (Bill Nighy), whom they hope will help mend their fractured family. The casting of Ansell as Charlie was a natural fit, with his spirited and sassy demeanor mirroring the character’s own traits. His mother, Debbie, who reviews scripts before presenting them to her son, likely recognized this immediate connection.
Ansell found the collaborative nature of the film’s production particularly engaging. "It was a lot of ad-libbing, actually," he revealed. "Obviously, the scripts are there, but they all let us throw in some words now and then, and I like that. But Charlie is fun, he is very cheeky, he wants to get his own way, but he’s also not aware of everything. I wouldn’t say he’s very intelligent at times." This freedom to improvise allowed Ansell to inject his own personality into the role, further enhancing the authenticity of his performance.
Learning from Legends: On Set with Nighy and Williams
The experience of working on 500 Miles provided Ansell with invaluable opportunities to learn from seasoned actors. He admitted that prior to the film, he had limited knowledge of Bill Nighy’s extensive career but was quickly impressed. "I knew he was massive. I was like, ‘Oh, he sounds great, let’s see.’ And then I was like, ‘Okay, wow, he’s amazing.’" Ansell recounted a memorable moment during a break in filming when Nighy delivered an impromptu speech about life that deeply resonated with the young actor. Nighy’s advice to Ansell was simple yet profound: "He said, ‘Pay your taxes, don’t smoke, don’t do any of that bad stuff.’ And obviously, I wouldn’t do that anyway, but it was so nice for someone else to say that," Ansell shared with a beaming smile.
The film also offered a subtle Game of Thrones universe crossover, with Maisie Williams, renowned for her role as Arya Stark, appearing as a young Irish busker encountered by the brothers. While Ansell and Williams did discuss their shared connection to the franchise, their conversations primarily focused on 500 Miles. "We talked a bit [about the franchise]," Ansell confirmed. "And it was very fun to say, ‘Oh, we want a dragon.’ But we didn’t talk too much about that. It was mainly about 500 Miles."
Aspiring to the Stars: Future Ambitions
Looking ahead, Dexter Sol Ansell harbors ambitious aspirations, listing Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, and Jim Carrey as his acting idols. He expresses a strong desire to collaborate with Steven Spielberg, having been captivated by his directorial work, including Saving Private Ryan. Having already met Carell and worked with the cast of his favorite show, Stranger Things, Ansell is eager to continue balancing his commitments. "What I’d love to do is five [seasons of Seven Kingdoms], and then in between each one, do a feature film," he outlined, demonstrating a clear vision for his career trajectory.
With a potent combination of ambition, innate talent, and a remarkably grounded perspective, Dexter Sol Ansell is poised for a future filled with continued success. As 500 Miles makes its debut, Ansell hopes the film will resonate with audiences on an emotional level, conveying its central message about the enduring strength and importance of family. "I hope they see [that] whatever happens in your life, your family is always there to protect you. Your family is always family, and you’ve got to keep close to all of them. Be kind to them. If you’re bickering with your siblings, no matter what, you’ve always got to keep them close," he concluded, offering a wise and heartfelt sentiment that belies his young age.
