The small-scale adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg are currently charming audiences on HBO, but the man behind the series is already looking at a massive war from Game of Thrones history that is coming down the road.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has arrived as the third live-action entry in the Westeros franchise, but it is purposely the smallest in scope. Set 89 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, the series follows a poor hedge knight and a hidden prince walking from village to village. There are no dragons. There is no army of the dead. The biggest action scene of Season 1 involves seven men fighting seven other men in a field.
However, Ira Parker, the showrunner of the series, has confirmed that this quiet era will not last forever. In multiple interviews surrounding the Season 1 debut and the ongoing production of Season 2 (set for 2027) , Parker has openly teased that the Blackfyre Rebellionโa continent-shattering civil war mentioned throughout Game of Thrones loreโwill eventually take center stage.
The โGame of Thronesโ War That Changes Everything
The Blackfyre Rebellion is not a random battle in Westerosi history. It is the event that shapes the entire Targaryen dynasty for over a century. Unlike the Dance of the Dragons, which was fought between two branches of the same family riding dragons, the Blackfyre conflict was a war over legitimacy, swords, and the crown itself.
The war begins when King Daeron II sits on the Iron Throne. He is educated, peaceful, and loved by the smallfolk. But his half-brother, Daemon Blackfyre, believes he is the rightful king. Daemon has no dragons, but he has something the Targaryens value just as much: the sword Blackfyre. The Valyrian steel blade belonged to Aegon the Conqueror himself. King Aegon IVโknown as the Unworthyโgave the sword to Daemon on his deathbed, which many took as a sign of who should rule.
Parker addressed this directly during his press run. He explained that the early seasons of the show, which adapt the novellas The Hedge Knight and The Sworn Sword, take place in the calm before the storm. But the third major story, The Mystery Knight, directly deals with the aftermath of the First Blackfyre Rebellion and the conspirators who still want to put a Blackfyre on the throne.
“We know what the ending is. We would never be left making anything up,” Parker told Radio Times. “George has a document of everything that happens for 13, 14, 15 of these novellas. He just has to write them.”
This means the framework for the war is already laid out by George R.R. Martin himself.
Why This War Matters for Dunk and Egg
For viewers who only watched the original Game of Thrones, the name Blackfyre might sound unfamiliar. But for book readers, it is a shadow that hangs over the entire Targaryen restoration plot in the main series. Illyrio Mopatis and Varys spend years plotting to place Aegon Targaryen (Young Griff) on the throne, a character who is heavily implied to be a Blackfyre descendant.
In A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the Blackfyre situation is personal. Ser Duncan the Tall and Egg (Prince Aegon Targaryen) do not start out as heroes fighting for the crown. They are travelers who accidentally stumble into the second act of the rebellion during The Mystery Knight.
Daeron the Drunk, Aerion Brightflame, and other Targaryen princes are present at the wedding tourney where Blackfyre loyalists attempt to crown a new king. For Dunk, it is just another tournament where he has to fight for his life. For Egg, it is a family tragedy unfolding in real time.
Parker confirmed that while Season 1 stays extremely close to the book The Hedge Knight, future installments will flesh out the political tension that leads to war. Lyonel Baratheon (the Laughing Storm), who has a much larger role in the show than the book, represents the Stormlandsโ faction during this unstable period. Baelor Breakspear, the beloved heir to the throne, stands as the moral center of the Targaryen family.
The Timeline: When Will the War Arrive?
HBO has already confirmed that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 2 will premiere in 2027 . This season adapts The Sworn Sword, a story that does not feature the Blackfyre Rebellion directly. Instead, it focuses on a drought, a broken dam, and a grudge between House Osgrey and House Webber.
However, showrunner Ira Parker is already filming scenes that lay the groundwork. The Targaryen family dynamics introduced in Season 1โMaekarโs harsh discipline, Aerionโs cruelty, Baelorโs fairness, and Eggโs innocenceโare all pieces moving toward the explosion of the First Blackfyre Rebellion.
The rebellion itself takes place in 196 AC, approximately nine years before the Tourney at Ashford (which occurs in 209 AC). This means the actual war has already happened by the time audiences meet Dunk and Egg. The characters in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms are living in its shadow.
But The Mystery Knight, the likely source material for a potential Season 3, is set in 211 AC. This story involves the Second Blackfyre Rebellion, a smaller but equally dangerous uprising. Parker has made it clear he wants to “suit up for The Mystery Knight” . If HBO gives the green light, viewers will see Dunk and Egg face down Blackfyre supporters directly.
Global Streaming and Viewing Information
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is currently airing its first season worldwide.
United States: The series premiered on January 18, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max. New episodes drop weekly on Sundays at 10 p.m. ET . Due to the Super Bowl, HBO moved Episode 4 to HBO Max on Friday, February 6, at 12:01 a.m. PT before its regular Sunday broadcast on February 8 .
United Kingdom: Viewers can watch on Sky Atlantic and NOW, with new episodes arriving on Mondays .
Canada: The show streams on Crave, aligned with the HBO Max release schedule.
Australia: Available on Binge and Foxtel from January 19, 2026 .
India: The series streams on JioHotstar in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu .
The first season consists of six episodes, with runtimes ranging from 35 to 50 minutes .
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What the Cast and Crew Are Saying
Peter Claffey (Ser Duncan the Tall) and Dexter Sol Ansell (Egg) have received widespread praise for their chemistry. Critics have noted that the show functions as a “buddy comedy” or a “hangout show” rather than a traditional epic .
Parker emphasized that the show is written first and foremost for George R.R. Martin, who considers The Hedge Knight his finest work . Martin reads every draft and has given his approval for the direction of the series. Regarding the larger wars to come, Parker reassured fans that the show will never stray from Martinโs roadmap.
“We take it back to the books,” Parker said. “We drop you into a new location every season. We tell you a story and we wrap it up” .
With an IMDb rating of 9.2/10 following its debut, the series has already secured its place as a critical success . The challenge ahead is expanding the canvas without losing the intimate charm that makes Dunk and Egg different from every other hero in Westeros.
Stay connected with VvipTimes for the latest developments, casting news, and episode breakdowns from the expanding world of Westeros.
