If you’ve watched the latest episode of Game of Thrones spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, you might have been left wondering, was that really Ser Arlan Pennytree actor Danny Webb in all his glory? It’s a question that’s been on the internet’s mind ever since Episode 2, titled Hard Salt Beef, was broadcast. Finally, we have a definitive answer.
Warning! Spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 2, Hard Salt Beef, follow:
Following Episode 1’s surprise poop scene — which interrupted the famous Game of Thrones theme song no less — Episode 2 delivered another shock: a full frontal nude scene showing Ser Arlan Pennytree’s penis. And very well endowed the late Ser Arlan was, going by what viewers were treated to in the show.
The scene in question is a flashback to before Ser Arlan dies (one of the themes of the episode is Peter Claffey’s Dunk fondly remembering his former mentor as he bids to join a jousting tournament). The hedge knight emerges from a brothel, naked, to urinate — and he’s not shy about it either.
As you’d expect, Ser Arlan’s Dirk Diggler-esque manhood was a hot topic online, with some wondering if it was the real deal. Well, no, it wasn’t. And we have confirmation from the person who created it.
Prosthetic designer Waldo Mason took to Instagram to confirm a 10” prosthetic penis was created for Danny Webb to wear.
“Luckily, he was a consummate professional and was happy to work with us to make it as realistic as possible, coming in for fittings that culminated in a very intimate application process in a white tent in the Belfast countryside,” Mason continued.
“Because of the size we reinforced the contact area and edges with wig lace for minimal stretch under its weight and makeup designer [Pippa Woods] and [Lucille Harding] applied a knotted merkin, hiding any visible edges. It also contained tubing for urination, which we taped down the back of his leg.”
In an interview, showrunner Ira Parker told Entertainment Weekly he couldn’t remember if it was a prosthetic or not, joking: "I thought he just showed up on set that way.”
So why include it at all? “I felt bad for Ser Arlan at some point,” Parker explained. “He was the only person who's ever looked out for Dunk and really stuck with Dunk. And he died on a muddy road in the middle of nowhere, was buried without ceremony, and now Dunk is going around trying to find somebody who just even remembers him — people that he served for, people that he bled for, these knights and these lords. They can't even remember his name. I felt the need to give him his one special thing, to channel a little Boogie Nights, I suppose."
"I can't say it zips past you at 100 miles per hour because, you know, it's out there, but it's not the story that we're telling,” Parker continued. “It is just a flourish of the story that we're telling. It changes nothing else. In order to survive to be an Old Man Hedge Knight, you had to be made of solid f***ing iron. Those were tough days for anyone, let alone a fighting warrior who lives under trees in the 14th century. So, you know, he's a small guy and he's slim. I figured he's got something that helps him get through those really intense battles. He's got a certain energy about him, if you will."
Check out IGN’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Season 1, Episode 2 review to find out what we think.
Photograph by Steffan Hill/HBO.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
