The second chapter in the story of Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire Egg arrives soon. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms continues its weekly release, bringing viewers back to a simpler, more adventurous time in Westeros. Following a well-received first episode, the journey to the Ashford Tourney continues for the unlikely pair. Here is all the information about where, when, and how to watch the next episode, along with details on the cast and what fans are saying about the new series.
Episode 2 Release Date and Global Streaming Schedule
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1, Episode 2 will premiere on Sunday, January 25, 2026. The episode will be available on HBO and will begin streaming on HBO Max at 10:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) and Pacific Time (PT) in the United States.
For international audiences, the release times convert as follows for early morning viewing on Monday, January 26:
- Brazil (BRT): 3:00 AM
- United Kingdom (GMT): 6:00 AM
- Central Europe (CET): 7:00 AM
- India (IST): 11:30 AM
- Japan (JST): 3:00 PM
- Australia (AET): 5:00 PM
- New Zealand (NZDT): 7:00 PM
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the episode will be available on Sky Atlantic and the streaming service NOW. It will first air at 3:00 AM GMT to coincide with the U.S. premiere, with a more viewer-friendly repeat scheduled for 9:00 PM GMT on Monday evening.
How to Watch and Subscription Details
To watch Episode 2, you will need a subscription to HBO Max in the United States or the appropriate streaming partner in your region.
HBO Max offers several subscription tiers:
- A basic plan with advertisements for $10.99 per month.
- A standard plan without ads starts at $18.99 per month.
The series is part of HBO’s traditional weekly release model. New episodes will drop every Sunday night until the season finale on February 22, 2026. The full six-episode season schedule is:
- Episode 1: January 18, 2026
- Episode 2: January 25, 2026
- Episode 3: February 1, 2026
- Episode 4: February 8, 2026
- Episode 5: February 15, 2026
- Episode 6: February 22, 2026
What to Expect in Episode 2: Story and Cast
The title for the upcoming episode is “Hard Salt Beef”. While an official synopsis from HBO has not been released, the story will continue directly from the events of the premiere, “The Hedge Knight.”
The first episode introduced Dunk, a poor but honorable hedge knight traveling to the Ashford Tourney to seek his fortune. After being rejected by several established knights, he found an unexpected friend in the boisterous Lyonel Baratheon and, reluctantly, took on a clever bald boy named Egg as his squire. Episode 2 will likely see their partnership solidify as they navigate the complexities and dangers of the tournament grounds.
The series features Peter Claffey as the earnest and physically imposing Ser Duncan the Tall. His young companion, Egg, is played by Dexter Sol Ansell. The cast also includes Daniel Ings as the charismatic Lyonel Baratheon, Tanzyn Crawford as the Dornish puppeteer Tanselle, and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as Plummer, the master of the tourney.
Showrunner Ira Parker has described Dunk’s journey in relatable terms, comparing it to someone leaving their hometown for a big city like New York or Los Angeles to try and make it, only to face immediate struggles with money and status.
“Dunk finds himself at the very bottom of this. He doesn’t have the training, the name, the money, he can’t afford to fail,” said showrunner Ira Parker, explaining the character’s starting point.
Fan Reactions and Series Context
Early reactions to the first episode have been largely positive, with many viewers appreciating the show’s lighter tone compared to Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. Fans have noted the strong chemistry between the two leads and the series’ focus on character and humor.
Also Read:
One viewer on IMDb stated, “It is already clear that this is a significant improvement over House of the Dragon… Already, I feel this new series captures that early GoT vibe”. Another praised the casting, saying, “Peter Claffey as Duncan and Dexter Sol Ansel as Egg are perfectly cast; both are likeable and perform well”.
The series is based on George R.R. Martin’s beloved series of novellas, Tales of Dunk and Egg. The story is set approximately a century before the events of Game of Thrones, during a peaceful period under King Daeron II Targaryen. Author George R.R. Martin has expressed his approval of the adaptation, particularly happy with the casting of the two main roles.
The musical score for the series is composed by Dan Romer, whose work adds a “lone rider” feel that suits the story of a wandering hedge knight.
Also Read: Beast Games Season 2 Episode 4 Recap: Survivor themed challenges and huge money decisions
