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A fresh knight embarks on a journey to participate in a tournament to prove his worth, only to find himself facing a more perilous and personal challenge. The latest TV series set in the realm of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is charming, yet falls short of reaching the same level of acclaim as Game of Thrones.
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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms took me by surprise. As soon as episode one begins, with humble squire Dunk burying his master and raising his sword to the sky, the familiar theme music kicks in… only to transition to Dunk discreetly relieving himself behind a tree.
It seems like Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire universe is following the Marvel path by exploring diverse formats for its works. While Game of Thrones was a grand Shakespearean saga, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a more intimate, odd-couple comedy. The only dragon in sight is a puppet.
Warner Bros.
The shift in tone from GOT to AKOT7K is a logical one. After George R.R. Martin found himself stuck in the “Meereenese knot” – when the plot of his A Song of Ice and Fire series became overwhelmingly intricate – he turned to writing simpler prequel novellas, Tales of Dunk and Egg. The first of these, The Hedge Knight, serves as the inspiration for the new series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
This story unfolds in the GOT universe, but the events occur approximately 90 years prior (and 100 years after the other TV spin-off, House of the Dragon). Instead of the multiple viewpoints in GOT, there is a single perspective. Rather than a complex plot, the narrative is unhurried, the scale modest, and the tale confined to a specific time and place.
Episode one tracks the journey of aspirant knight Dunk as he lays his master to rest, unintentionally acquires a squire, and endeavors to join a tournament.
The narrative is unhurried, the scale modest, and the tale contained within a specific time and place
And that’s essentially the crux of the episode. While it runs for over 40 minutes, the subsequent five episodes in the first season are closer to 30 minutes each. This duration proves ample to narrate this modest story.
The role of Dunk is portrayed by Irish actor Peter Claffey. He possesses the physique suitable for a character known for his towering height (eventually earning the moniker Ser Duncan the Tall) and exudes a warm, amiable presence. At 29, he appears noticeably older than the teenage Dunk from the novellas, potentially altering the dynamic between Dunk and the nine-year-old Egg, which might disappoint existing fans.
However, the young Dexter Sol Ansell, portraying the would-be squire Egg, delivers a stellar performance, and the duo establishes a camaraderie that forms the backbone of the show and sparks most of its comedic moments.
Warner Bros.
The humor in the series leans towards slapstick, with Dunk frequently bumping his head on low doorways and feeling out of place among the affluent, seasoned knights gathered for the tournament.
Simultaneously, there is an ample dose of the traditional GOT nudity and violence, making it unsuitable for family audiences.
The narrative gains momentum notably with the introduction of the sarcastic Lyonel Baratheon (portrayed magnetically by Daniel Ings), a performance that stands out amidst a cast where most supporting characters struggle to leave a lasting impact.
Warner Bros.
Fans of Game of Thrones will delight in the appearances of characters from familiar houses, but this world operates under different norms. The innocent, hulking Dunk would not survive the initial episode of Game of Thrones – where young Bran met a grim fate – and I found myself yearning for George R.R. Martin’s ruthless plot twists, as well as the glamour, intrigue, and sorcery of the original show.
Should you watch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
It’s a pleasantly entertaining series, but it doesn’t reach the same level of hype as its predecessor.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms debuts on Sunday, 18 January, on HBO and HBO Max. In the UK, the first episode will be available on Monday, 19 January 2026, on Sky Atlantic or the streaming service Now. The season comprises six episodes, airing weekly.
Refer to our comprehensive guide for information on how to watch the series.
You can enjoy HBO even outside the US. Learn how to access it from the UK and other regions.