If you feel like this kid’s face is everywhere, you’re not imagining it. Dexter Sol Ansell is a British child actor who has managed to snag some of the most "main character energy" roles in modern franchise history.

He first hit the mainstream radar playing the young Coriolanus Snow in the 2023 Hunger Games prequel, but as of early 2026, he’s become a household name for anyone with a Max subscription. He’s playing Aegon "Egg" Targaryen, a character that book fans have been obsessed with for a decade.

He’s talented, he’s got that "old soul" acting vibe, and he’s currently the face of the biggest fantasy show on the planet. But as parents, we know that "popular" doesn't always mean "appropriate."

The fascination usually comes from one of three places:

If your kid thinks everything else on TV is "Ohio" (meaning weird or cringe) but is suddenly asking to watch a show with "the bald kid from the dragon show," they’re looking for Dexter.

Here is the breakdown of what he’s in and whether you should actually let your kids watch it.

The Vibe: High fantasy, knights, and "The Adventures of Dunk and Egg." Age Rating: TV-MA (17+) The Reality: Look, it’s HBO. While this specific story is "lighter" than the main Game of Thrones series or House of the Dragon, it still features violence, some heavy themes, and the occasional "Wait, should my 11-year-old be seeing that?" moment. It’s great TV, but it’s not for elementary schoolers. Screenwise Verdict: Save it for the 15+ crowd unless you’re okay with some very adult "knight life" realities.

The Vibe: Dystopian survival and the origin story of a villain. Age Rating: PG-13 The Reality: Dexter plays the young version of the protagonist. It’s a heavy movie. If your kids have already read The Hunger Games book, they’re fine. If not, the violence is stylized but intense. Screenwise Verdict: Ages 12+.

The Vibe: Pure, wholesome, festive chaos. Age Rating: G / TV-G The Reality: This is the "safe" Dexter content. If your younger kids want to see him in something, this is a Netflix movie where he’s just a kid on a farm. No dragons, no death matches, just goats and holiday spirit. Screenwise Verdict: All ages. Totally safe, if a bit cheesy.

The Vibe: Sci-fi horror/thriller. Age Rating: TV-MA The Reality: Dexter plays one of the "creepy children" in this British series. It’s definitely not for kids. It’s eerie, psychological, and meant for adults who like a good "creepy kid" trope. Screenwise Verdict: Skip this for the kids. It’ll give them (and maybe you) nightmares.

The Vibe: Adorable stop-motion musical. Age Rating: G The Reality: Dexter provided voice work for this Aardman Animations special. It’s beautiful, short, and the perfect "non-brain-rot" content for a rainy afternoon. Screenwise Verdict: Ages 4+. A masterpiece of cozy media.

Check out our full guide on high-quality stop-motion movies

The "Dexter Sol Ansell" problem is one many parents face: The actor is a child, but the content is for adults.

Because Dexter is young (born in 2014, making him about 11 or 12 now), younger kids naturally feel a connection to him. They see a kid their age doing cool things with swords and dragons and think, "That’s for me!"

For Ages 5-10: Stick to Christmas on Mistletoe Farm or his voice work. If they want fantasy, steer them toward Percy Jackson and the Olympians or The Chronicles of Narnia instead of the HBO stuff.

For Ages 11-13: This is the "maybe" zone. If they are mature and you’ve watched The Hunger Games with them, they can handle his role in the prequel. Hold off on the HBO shows unless you’re pre-screening or watching together to skip the "oops" scenes.

For Ages 14+: They’re likely already watching the edits on TikTok. At this age, the focus should be on discussing the themes of the shows—power, class, and the moral ambiguity of characters like Egg.

Learn more about navigating TV-MA content with young teens

When a child actor like Dexter blows up, it’s not just about the movies. It’s about the ecosystem around them.

If your kid starts Googling Dexter, they’re going to hit the Game of Thrones wiki. That wiki is... not filtered. They will see spoilers, but more importantly, they’ll see descriptions of graphic violence and adult themes from the books and other shows.

Dexter’s social media is managed by his parents/agents, and it’s generally very professional. However, the comments on social media posts about child stars can be a cesspool. If your kid is following him, it’s a good time to talk about why we don't engage with "stans" or weird commenters online.

The good news? The projects Dexter chooses are generally high-quality. Watching A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a significantly better use of a brain than scrolling through infinite "Skibidi Toilet" memes. It’s narrative-driven, complex, and based on actual literature. If your kid is interested in Dexter, use it as a bridge to get them into reading the Dunk and Egg novellas.

If your kid is begging to watch his latest project, try these conversation starters:

Dexter Sol Ansell is a generational talent, and it’s cool that our kids have actors their own age to look up to. However, his filmography is a bit of a minefield for intentional parents.

The Screenwise move: Let them enjoy the "hype" through age-appropriate alternatives until they are old enough to handle the darker side of Westeros. If you need a break from the dragon talk, maybe suggest a round of Stardew Valley or a family board game night with Catan. Both offer that "build your own kingdom" vibe without the HBO trauma.

Ask Screenwise for more actor-based media recommendations