Fans of Game of Thrones are getting a new show to dive into, and this one brings the story back to a time when some very familiar faces were still young or had not yet been born. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will premiere on January 18, 2026, on HBO. The series follows the adventures of a knight named Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, a young boy called Egg. The big secret? Egg is actually Aegon Targaryen, who grows up to become a king. The show is set about 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and the creators have confirmed that several characters and families from the original series will appear or be referenced.
The Targaryen Family Takes Center Stage
The new show brings back the Targaryen dynasty, but at a very different point in its history. The dragons are gone, having died out about fifty years earlier, but the family still rules from the Iron Throne. This generation of Targaryens is crucial because their actions set the stage for the kingdom that fans came to know in Game of Thrones.
The main Targaryens you will meet in the prequel are all ancestors of Daenerys Targaryen from the original show.
- Aegon V Targaryen (“Egg”): Played by Dexter Sol Ansell, he is the cheerful and curious squire to Ser Duncan. He is hiding his true identity as a prince. He will one day rule as Aegon V, a king remembered for his compassion and sense of justice. His reign ultimately ends in the tragic event known as the “Tragedy at Summerhall.”
- Prince Aerion “Brightflame” Targaryen: Played by Finn Bennett, he is Egg’s older brother. He is known for his cruelty and obsession with the purity of his dragon blood. His story serves as a reminder that the famous Targaryen madness did not appear overnight.
- Prince Maekar Targaryen: Played by Sam Spruell, he is the stern father of Egg and Aerion. He is a hardened warrior who believes in keeping peace through strength and order.
- Prince Baelor “Breakspear” Targaryen: Played by Bertie Carvel, he is the heir to the Iron Throne and Egg’s uncle. He is a noble and just man, representing the best of what the Targaryens could have been. His death is a pivotal tragedy in the history of Westeros.
- Prince Daeron “The Drunken” Targaryen: Played by Henry Ashton, he is another of Egg’s brothers. He is known for being less interested in his duties and is haunted by prophetic dreams, connecting him thematically to Daenerys centuries later.
According to the show’s creators, the presence of the Targaryens in this era is itself a plot point. Showrunner Ira Parker explained:
“House Targaryen is coming into this show, showing up at this tournament in this backwater of Ashford, where they’ve never been before and would have no reason to go to but because they don’t have dragons anymore, and because it’s a little while, all of a sudden, I think people are starting to question in this time, why the Targaryens are still in charge.”
Ancestors of Famous Game of Thrones Houses Return
It is not just the Targaryens who have family in this prequel. The show will feature the ancestors of several great houses that Game of Thrones fans will immediately recognize. These characters help to build the rich history of the families whose conflicts drove the original series.
- Ser Lyonel Baratheon: Played by Daniel Ings, he is known as the “Laughing Storm.” He is a powerful and charismatic warrior from House Baratheon, making him a direct ancestor of King Robert, Stannis, and Renly Baratheon. His presence shows the Baratheon family’s strength and pride long before Robert’s Rebellion.
- The Fossoways: This knightly house from the Reach appears, and their story explains a famous family split. You will meet Ser Steffon Fossoway (Edward Ashley) and his cousin Raymun Fossoway (Shaun Thomas). Their rivalry during the Ashford Tournament leads to the creation of the two branches of the house: the red apple Fossoways and the green apple Fossoways.
- Ser Manfred Dondarrion: Played by Daniel Monks, he is a knight of House Dondarrion. This is the same house that, a century later, produces Beric Dondarrion, the leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners who was brought back to life many times.
- Lord Leo “Longthorn” Tyrell and Ser Humfrey Hardyng are also among the noble characters appearing, representing House Tyrell and House Hardyng, ancestors of families well-known in Game of Thrones.
A Direct Link to the Original Series
For many fans, the most exciting connection between the new prequel and Game of Thrones is a character who was actually alive during both time periods: Maester Aemon. In Game of Thrones, Maester Aemon was the wise, old maester of the Night’s Watch. He was a Targaryen who had chosen to give up his claim to the throne.
In A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Aemon is a young man. He is the brother of Egg, the very same boy who serves as Dunk’s squire. This adds a deep layer of meaning to Aemon’s scenes in the original show, where he often spoke fondly and sadly of his brother. The prequel will show the bond between these two brothers, giving context to Aemon’s grief and memories on the Wall.
Co-creator Ira Parker exclusively confirmed this link, stating, “I think you’re gonna hear some names. I’m sure you’re gonna see faces. Yes, there are plans for faces as we move forward, hopefully,” alluding directly to Maester Aemon.
A Different Vibe for Westeros
While House of the Dragon focused on the brutal civil war within the Targaryen family, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms promises a different tone. The creators have described it as more intimate and grounded, seen from the perspective of a common hedge knight rather than kings and queens in their castles.
Showrunner Ira Parker said the goal was to “follow Dunk in terms of tone and point of view and the mud and the dirt. We wanted the audience to feel what he feels. We want to be with him as closely as possible.” He added, “It’s not big, sprawling Game of Thrones that we’ve come to know and love; it’s close and it’s hard.”
The story aims to show a warmer side of Westeros, built around the friendship between Dunk and his young squire. This relationship is the heart of the show, a bond of loyalty and humor in a world that is often dark and unpredictable.
Also Read: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Shows a New Look for the Targaryen Sigil
