HBO’s next chapter in the Game of Thrones universe, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is on the horizon, but creators are urging fans to temper their expectations. While House of the Dragon stunned viewers with its massive battles and lavish sets, this new entry into Westeros will tell a more intimate story, one grounded in grit, simplicity, and raw emotion.
Set 100 years before Game of Thrones and a century after House of the Dragon, the series focuses on two unlikely heroes: Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) and his squire Egg, who will one day become King Aegon V Targaryen. However, showrunner Ira Parker recently issued a heartfelt caution: “We are not that big, polished, epic show,” he said. “I hope the audiences will forgive us for some of our most unpolished-y parts. We really tried our best.”
Overview of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight |
| Based On | George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas |
| Setting | 100 years before Game of Thrones, 100 years after House of the Dragon |
| Premiere Date | January 18, 2025 |
| Platform | HBO / Max |
| Showrunner | Ira Parker |
| Filming Locations | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Confirmed Renewal | Season 2 ordered ahead of premiere |
| Tone & Style | Smaller scale, character-driven, humorous yet heartfelt |
| Main Characters | Ser Duncan the Tall (“Dunk”) and Aegon “Egg” Targaryen |
A Humble Knight’s Tale and a Humble Production
Unlike the sprawling, dragon-filled battles of House of the Dragon or the political power struggles of Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms takes viewers to the “slums of Westeros,” as Parker described it. The show follows Dunk, a poor hedge knight from the streets of King’s Landing, and his squire Egg, who hides his royal blood beneath a simple cap.
Parker explained that the tone and scale of the show directly mirror its protagonist’s perspective:
“We took everything from Dunk’s POV this season. He’s the sole POV of the book, and we’ve channeled everything — from our music to our cinematography — through him. Dunk comes from nothing. He’s a simple, unpolished human being, and so are we.”
That grounded approach has shaped the show’s tone and even its budget. Unlike its predecessors, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms won’t dazzle with massive CGI armies or dragon warfare. Instead, it will focus on character relationships, humor, and moral growth in a world still defined by class, honor, and survival.
Key Features of the Series
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Story Premise | The journey of a humble hedge knight and his squire in a politically volatile Westeros |
| Character Focus | Dunk (future Lord Commander of the Kingsguard) and Egg (future King Aegon V Targaryen) |
| Visual Approach | Realistic, minimal CGI, natural lighting, medieval authenticity |
| Tone | Grounded, humorous, emotional, introspective |
| Themes | Honor, class divide, friendship, early Westerosi politics |
| Budget Philosophy | Smaller scale reflective of the characters’ humble origins |
Why HBO Is Taking a Different Approach?
Showrunner Ira Parker revealed that HBO intentionally scaled down production to create a more authentic, character-driven story. “There are wonderful, big, polished, epic shows within this world that can be enjoyed,” Parker said. “We are not that. We really tried our best, and that’s what Dunk’s doing, giving it his best shot.”
The creative team wanted viewers to feel Westeros from the ground level through the eyes of an underdog who doesn’t belong among lords, queens, or dragons. The decision marks a deliberate departure from the grandiosity that defined previous series, aiming instead for emotional intimacy and humour.
TV critic Lydia Calloway noted:
“This is the smartest move HBO could make. After House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones, audiences are craving heart over spectacle — a return to the kind of storytelling that built the franchise’s emotional core.”
The Source Material: Tales of Dunk and Egg
The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is adapted from George R.R. Martin’s acclaimed trilogy of novellas, The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, and The Mystery Knight, later collected into a single volume.
The first season adapts The Hedge Knight, in which Dunk travels to a tournament at Ashford Meadow to prove himself worthy of knighthood. There, he meets a young boy named Egg, whose true identity as Aegon Targaryen, heir to the Iron Throne, remains a secret.
Their unlikely bond becomes the foundation of one of Westeros’ most legendary friendships, foreshadowing future events in the Targaryen dynasty.
Fantasy historian Neil Carrington remarked,
“Martin’s Dunk and Egg stories are about honor in an age before cynicism. They’re quieter tales, but they show the human heart that beats beneath the blood and politics of Westeros.”
A Smaller Show with Big Potential
Despite its modest budget, HBO clearly believes in the series’ potential. The network has already renewed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms for a second season, with filming set to begin in Belfast, Ireland, by the end of 2025.
Parker shared that developing the show felt natural:
“It didn’t feel like a reach. I think we can all find a lot to relate to in Dunk. He’s from the slums of Westeros. He doesn’t know anyone, doesn’t understand court life, and half the time he’s not sure if people are laughing with him or at him. There’s humor and humility in that.”
This focus on character and humor could make the show a refreshing contrast to its predecessors more personal, more relatable, and deeply human.
Comparing the Spinoffs of Westeros
| Series | Timeline | Tone & Scope | Main Focus | Premiere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House of the Dragon | 100 years before Game of Thrones | Epic, political, dragon warfare | Targaryen civil war | 2022 |
| Game of Thrones | The original saga | Political and moral complexity | Dynastic wars for the Iron Throne | 2011–2019 |
| A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms | 100 years after House of the Dragon | Grounded, intimate, character-driven | Dunk and Egg’s early adventures | January 18, 2025 |
The Cast and Characters
While the complete cast list remains under wraps, HBO has confirmed that the first season focuses tightly on Dunk and Egg, keeping the storytelling intimate.
- Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk): A humble hedge knight with little more than his sword, his armor, and a strong moral compass.
- Egg (Aegon V Targaryen): A mischievous boy and Dunk’s squire who secretly belongs to the ruling Targaryen family.
The chemistry between the leads is said to drive the entire series, with heartfelt mentorship, unexpected comedy, and quiet moral dilemmas replacing grand political schemes.
Why This Series Matters?
While Game of Thrones redefined fantasy television and House of the Dragon expanded its world, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms offers something neither did warmth and humility in the shadow of greatness.
Industry analyst Ronan Delaney put it succinctly:
“This show isn’t about who sits on the Iron Throne — it’s about why anyone would want to. That’s what makes it powerful.”
For HBO, this is both a creative gamble and a strategic move, proof that Westeros can sustain not just power struggles but also personal stories.
FAQs
It follows Dunk, a poor knight, and Egg, his squire, as they travel across Westeros, encountering nobles, tournaments, and political intrigue.
The show debuts on HBO and Max on January 18, 2025.
It’s set 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones and features ancestors of familiar families like the Targaryens and Baratheons.
The creators intentionally kept it small to reflect Dunk’s humble background and to focus on storytelling rather than spectacle.
Yes, HBO has already renewed it for Season 2, with filming scheduled in Belfast by the end of 2025.
The show is helmed by Ira Parker and is based on George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg, with Martin serving as executive producer.
