HBO is bringing a new corner of George R.R. Martin’s world to life with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight. The series, scheduled to premiere on January 18, 2026, will introduce viewers to the adventures of two beloved characters from the books. Set about a century before the events of Game of Thrones, the story follows a young, humble knight and his mysterious squire as they navigate the world of Westeros. Here is a complete guide to the actors and the characters they will be playing in this highly anticipated new chapter.
The Two Main Heroes
At the heart of the story is the unlikely friendship between a knight and his squire.
- Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall (“Dunk”): Peter Claffey, an Irish actor and former professional rugby player, takes on the lead role of Dunk. He is a hedge knight, a wandering warrior of lowborn background who is brave, naive, and fiercely honorable. Claffey’s background in sports lends itself well to the physical demands of playing a knight known for his impressive height and strength.
- Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg: Dexter Sol Ansell, a young English actor known for The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, plays Egg. Egg is Dunk’s squire, a clever and wise-beyond-his-years boy who hides a big secret: he is actually Prince Aegon Targaryen, a grandson of the reigning king. Ansell was nine years old when filming began.
The Targaryen Family
The series features several key members of the Targaryen dynasty, who still hold the Iron Throne but no longer have dragons.
- Sam Spruell as Prince Maekar Targaryen: Sam Spruell, recognized from Fargo and Snow White and the Huntsman, plays Maekar, a stern and serious prince. He is the father of Egg, Aerion, and Daeron, and often finds himself disappointed by his sons’ actions.
- Bertie Carvel as Prince Baelor “Breakspear” Targaryen: Bertie Carvel, an acclaimed stage and screen actor from Doctor Foster, portrays Baelor. He is the heir to the Iron Throne and serves as the Hand of the King. He is known for his wisdom and sense of justice, often serving as a voice of reason.
- Finn Bennett as Prince Aerion “Brightflame” Targaryen: Finn Bennett, from True Detective: Night Country, plays Aerion, one of Egg’s older brothers. He is cruel, arrogant, and prone to the infamous Targaryen madness, making him a dangerous antagonist.
- Henry Ashton as Prince Daeron “The Drunken” Targaryen: Henry Ashton, seen in My Lady Jane and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, takes the role of Daeron, another of Egg’s brothers. He is known for his drinking and for having prophetic Targaryen dreams.
The Knights and Lords of the Tourney
The story revolves around a tournament at Ashford, bringing many of Westeros’s powerful fighters together.
- Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel Baratheon: Daniel Ings, known for the series Lovesick, plays Lyonel Baratheon, also known as the “Laughing Storm.” He is the heir to Storm’s End and a fierce, charismatic knight.
- Daniel Monks as Ser Manfred Dondarrion: Australian actor Daniel Monks plays Manfred, a knight from the noble House Dondarrion of Blackhaven.
- Edward Ashley as Ser Steffon Fossoway: Edward Ashley, from Masters of the Air, appears as Steffon Fossoway, a knight from House Fossoway of Cider Hall.
- Ross Anderson as Ser Humfrey Hardyng: Ross Anderson, known for The Last Kingdom, plays the knight Humfrey Hardyng from the Vale.
- Steve Wall as Lord Leo “Longthorn” Tyrell: Steve Wall, seen in The Witcher, takes on the role of Leo Tyrell, the Lord of Highgarden and a famous tourney fighter.
Other Key Characters
The world of Westeros is filled with memorable faces who impact Dunk and Egg’s journey.
- Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle: Tanzyn Crawford, from Tiny Beautiful Things, plays Tanselle, a Dornish puppeteer whose encounter with the Targaryen princes sets major events in motion.
- Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as Plummer: Irish actor Tom Vaughan-Lawlor portrays Plummer, the stern steward of Ashford who questions Dunk’s credentials.
- Youssef Kerkour as Steely Pate: Youssef Kerkour plays the role of Steely Pate, a skilled blacksmith from the Reach.
- Danny Webb as Ser Arlan of Pennytree: Danny Webb appears as Ser Arlan, the old hedge knight who was Dunk’s mentor.
- Shaun Thomas as Raymun Fossoway: Shaun Thomas plays Raymun Fossoway, the cousin and squire to Steffon Fossoway.
The series is executive produced by George R.R. Martin and showrun by Ira Parker, who also wrote several episodes. The directors for the first season are Owen Harris and Sarah Adina Smith. Filming took place in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where the entire Ashford Tourney grounds were built. As George R.R. Martin stated, the goal for the show’s action was clear:
“Let’s do the best jousting sequences that were ever done on film.”
Showrunner Ira Parker added that the tone would be gritty and focused, saying their “guiding light on this show was to follow Dunk.” He explained:
“We wanted the audience to feel what he feels. We want to be with him as closely as possible. It’s not big sprawling Game of Thrones that we’ve come to know and love; it’s close and it’s hard.”
The first season will have six episodes and will adapt Martin’s first novella, The Hedge Knight.
Also Read: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Which Game of Thrones Characters Are in the New Prequel?
