HBO fans are returning to Westeros with the highly anticipated prequel series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which takes place 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones. Based on George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, the series adapts the first story, The Hedge Knight, into a six-episode adventure that promises jousting, political intrigue, and the gritty life of knights and smallfolk in the Seven Kingdoms.
The series premieres on HBO and HBO Max on January 18, 2026, giving viewers a fresh perspective on the world fans know and love.
What Is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms About?
Set a century before Game of Thrones, the story follows Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey), a young and naïve but courageous knight, and his diminutive squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). According to HBO, the series explores the challenges of knights navigating the political and social landscape of Westeros while interacting with both noble families and the smallfolk who are often overlooked in the game of thrones.
“Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends,” HBO’s official description reads.
Executive producer Ryan Condal, co-creator of House of the Dragon, emphasized that the series highlights the small folk who suffer under the nobility’s machinations, offering a different lens from the original series’ focus on kings, queens, and major houses.
Tales of Dunk and Egg: The Source Material
The show is adapted from George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg, a set of fantasy novellas set in the same universe as A Song of Ice and Fire. In The Hedge Knight, Dunk, initially a squire, inherits the possessions of a deceased knight and heads to Ashford for a tournament, eventually earning his title as Ser Duncan the Tall.
Along the way, he is accompanied by a young boy, Egg, who becomes his squire, and encounters a love interest, Tanselle. When Prince Aerion Targaryen attacks Tanselle, Dunk intervenes, sparking the adventures and political conflicts that drive the narrative.
Martin is deeply involved in the project, serving as writer and executive producer, ensuring that the adaptation remains true to the tone and spirit of his novellas.
Trailer and Teasers
The final trailer, released in December 2025, introduces audiences to Dunk, a knight struggling with his newfound responsibilities. He meets Egg, who insists on becoming his squire, and soon finds himself in the middle of jousting tournaments and conflicts with Prince Aerion “Brightflame” Targaryen (Finn Bennett).
The promotional reels also showcase sword fights, dramatic landscapes reminiscent of Westeros, and the intricate political dynamics that fans have come to expect from Martin’s universe.
Cast of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
The series features a mix of established and rising stars:
- Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall
- Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg
- Finn Bennett as Aerion Targaryen
- Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel Baratheon
- Sam Spruell as Maekar Targaryen
- Bertie Carvel as Baelor Targaryen
- Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle
- Edward Ashley as Ser Steffon Fossoway
- Henry Ashton as Daeron Targaryen
- Youssef Kerkour as Steely Pate
- Daniel Monks as Ser Manfred Dondarrion
- Shaun Thomas as Raymun Fossoway
- Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as Plummer
- Danny Webb as Ser Arlan of Pennytree
Directors and Production Team
The six episodes are directed by Sarah Adina Smith (Lessons in Chemistry, Hanna) and Owen Harris (Black Mirror), with Martin, Condal, Ira Parker, Vince Gerardis, and Sarah Bradshaw serving as executive producers.
Condal revealed in a 2024 interview that he pitched the Dunk and Egg adaptation years before co-creating House of the Dragon. Early development began in 2021, even as HBO initially envisioned a bigger, more extravagant prequel.
Premiere and Where to Watch
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres January 18, 2026, exclusively on HBO and HBO Max. Fans can also stream all previous seasons of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon on HBO Max to catch up on Westerosi history.
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