Fez — Moroccan actor Youssef Kerkour is now officially part of HBO’s “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” with the series currently streaming and expanding the world of Westeros for audiences worldwide.
The show adapts George R.R. Martin’s “Tales of Dunk and Egg,” and is set nearly a century before the events of “Game of Thrones.” The story follows Ser Duncan the Tall, known as Dunk, and his young squire Egg as they travel through the Seven Kingdoms.
Kerkour plays Steely Pate, a blacksmith who becomes an ally to Dunk. Unlike the knights and political figures who dominate the narrative, Steely Pate represents the working backbone of Westeros. He forges armor and weapons, shaping the tools of power rather than seeking it himself.
At 47, Kerkour continues to strengthen an international career that includes roles in “Home,” “House of Gucci,” “Napoleon,” “Dracula,” and “Baghdad Central.” His appearance in the HBO series places Moroccan talent inside one of television’s most globally recognized franchises.
Filmed largely in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the series maintains the scale and visual detail associated with previous Westeros productions. However, it focuses more closely on character development and personal loyalty rather than large-scale war.
For Morocco, Kerkour’s presence on screen carries symbolic significance. The country has long served as a filming destination for epic productions, including earlier seasons of “Game of Thrones” shot in Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou.
Now, Moroccan visibility extends beyond landscapes to on-screen representation in a flagship HBO production.
As “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” continues its run, Kerkour’s role highlights the growing presence of Moroccan actors in major international projects, reflecting a broader shift in global casting and storytelling.
