Video

 Footage from my Viking Sword & Shield training—weeks of gruelling effort, blood, sweat, and tears. Every drop of blood shed, every bruise, and every strain was worth it in preparation for the shield wall and the medieval battles to come. Filming as a SPACT (Special Action Support Actor), I’ll hopefully get to put my newly acquired skills to the test on screen.

This was a training video 1 

It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since I returned to acting, landing a role on House of the Dragon Season 2—my first supporting actor job in over 30 years.

Back in the day, I worked on iconic productions like Emmerdale Farm (as it was known then) and loved every minute of it. Back then, we were called extras, but today we’re known as Supporting Artists (SAs). The industry has evolved, and so have the opportunities.

If you’ve trained in specialized disciplines—like sword & shield combat, rapier & dagger, tactical weapons, archery, and martial arts—and maintain a strong fitness level, you can qualify as a Special Action Supporting Artist (SPACT). Becoming a SPACT performer can be financially rewarding, offering higher pay for physically demanding or combat-oriented roles.

While SPACT work isn’t the same as being a professional stunt performer—who requires a unique mindset and elite skills—it’s the perfect path if you want to push your abilities without going fully into stunt work. Training is continuous, and physical fitness is essential to stay ready for the demands of the job.

Two years ago, I committed to training seriously and haven’t stopped since. That dedication paid off when I was cast as an armored guard and as part of a four-man ballista crossbow team on House of the Dragon Season 2. It was an incredible honor to contribute to one of the biggest fantasy series on television.

Now that Season 2 has aired, I can finally share a behind-the-scenes stills and videos from our training.