A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: New Game of Thrones Prequel

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We are only 2 days away from the premiere of the next series in the Game of Thrones universe, seems a good time to check in, shall we.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (AKOTSK) is HBO’s upcoming Game of Thrones prequel (prequel used loosely), the series is adapted from George R. R. Martin’s novella “The Hedge Knight.” The series was announced in April 2023 and began production in Belfast Ireland in June 2024. The prequel series was written and executive produced by George R.R. Martin and Ira Parker, also produced by Ryan Condal and Vince Gerardis.

AKOTSK is not centered on political warfare of House of the Dragon or Game of Thrones, this series promises something more intimate, focused on character journey with a healthy dose of humor. We are promised a view of Westeros at the ground level.

Set roughly a century before the events of Game of Thrones, the story follows Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) and his young squire Egg. The tone is expected to lean quieter, more reflective, and more personal with less dragonfire and more moral testing.

The six (30 minute) episode season debuts SUNDAY, JANUARY 18 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.

Series Details

Network: HBO
Season 1: 6 episodes
Runtime: ~30 minutes per episode
Premiere: January 18
Status: Expected 3 seasons
Cast: Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall, Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg, Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel Baratheon, Bertie Carvel as Baelor Targaryen, Danny Webb as Ser Arlan of Pennytree, Sam Spruell as Maekar Targaryen, Shaun Thomas as Raymun Fossoway, Finn Bennett as Aerion Targaryen, Edward Ashley as Ser Steffon Fossoway, Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle, Henry Ashton as Daeron Targaryen, Youssef Kerkour as Steely Pate, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as Plummer and Daniel Monks as Ser Manfred Dondarrion.
Credits: Co-Creator/Executive Producer, George R. R. Martin; Co Creator / Showrunner/Executive Producer, Ira Parker. Executive Producers Sarah Bradshaw, Owen Harris, Ryan Condal and Vince Gerardis. Directors, Owen Harris and Sarah Adina Smith.

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TIR Take

What immediately stands out about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is how intentionally different it wants to be. I’m not sure yet if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Instead, I am just happy to be here. Here being at another installment in Westerosi tales.

This isn’t what show lovers are used to from the universe. Those who have read the source material may have expectations that are more aligned with expectations. Show watchers are used to power struggles between houses or a war for the Iron Throne. AKOTSK promises instead, a show about honor, class, responsibility, and the cost of knighthood when the world doesn’t reward decency.

Dunk promises to be a much more down to earth, regular Westerosi, maybe along what we’ve seen from characters in Flea Bottom. Egg, meanwhile, brings quiet intelligence and inherited weight that complicates their dynamic in subtle ways. It reminds me of the journey of Arya and The Hound in the original series.

After years of spectacle-heavy Westeros storytelling, a smaller, human-scale narrative feels refreshing rather than limiting. If done right, this could be the most emotionally grounded series in the franchise. From everything I’ve heard from friends who have read the source material, it is an endearing story and a fan favorite.

The shorter runtime does cause some worry about how much can we really get in only six 30-minute, sitcom timed episodes; however, it also suggests tighter episodes with fewer indulgent detours. That’s either a risk or a strength depending on execution, we’ll see.

Critics & Early Buzz

Early industry buzz around the series has been cautiously optimistic, particularly around its tone. The biggest point of interest is how closely the show will stick to Martin’s novellas, which are widely loved for their warmth, humor, and moral clarity, qualities not always associated with the franchise.

There’s also strong interest in how HBO handles the tonal pivot. Viewers burned out on constant escalation may welcome a quieter chapter, while others may struggle with the absence of dragons and large-scale conflict.

Let’s avoid disappointment by setting expectations that this is the next Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon. But if you’re interested in:

Character-first storytelling
Smaller stakes with emotional payoff
Fantasy rooted in morality rather than conquest
A slower, more thoughtful Westeros

Then A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is absolutely worth your time.

This one feels less like a spectacle and more like a story you sit with.

Your Take

Are you excited for a quieter Westeros story, or do you watch this franchise for the chaos?

Do you think the Dunk & Egg format can sustain multiple seasons, or is this best as a limited run?

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TIR Screens covers TV and film through long-form commentary, not just recaps. Follow along for premiere reactions, episode breakdowns, and deeper analysis as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms unfolds.