HBO has set a date for the next chapter in the Game of Thrones universe, and new details confirm that audiences can jump right in without any prior homework. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight will premiere on January 18, 2026, bringing a lighter, more intimate adventure to the world of Westeros.
The series is a direct adaptation of author George R. R. Martin’s beloved “Dunk & Egg” novellas, which tell a self-contained story set a full century before the events of the original Game of Thrones. The official logline promises the tale of “a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg,” set in an age when the Targaryens still hold the Iron Throne but the last dragons are only a memory.
What the Show Is About: A Different Kind of Westeros Tale
While Game of Thrones focused on sprawling wars and political backstabbing, and House of the Dragon chronicled a brutal Targaryen civil war, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms aims for a different tone. The story follows the travels and friendship of its two main characters as they navigate a realm in a rare state of peace.
The plot begins with Dunk, a humble “hedge knight” of lowborn origin, who finds himself alone after the death of his mentor. He heads to a tournament at Ashford Meadow to make a name for himself, where he meets and takes on a clever, bald boy named Egg as his squire. Unbeknownst to Dunk, Egg is actually Prince Aegon Targaryen, a member of the royal family hiding his identity. Their journey together weaves them into the fabric of Westerosi history, crossing paths with powerful lords and Targaryen princes.
The story is set in the year 209 AC (After the Conquest), placing it about 72 years after the events of House of the Dragon and 89 years before Game of Thrones begins. This era allows the show to explore a familiar world with different stakes, focusing on character-driven adventure rather than continent-shaking conflict.
Do You Need to Watch Game of Thrones First? The Simple Answer is No
The creators have designed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms as a perfect entry point for new viewers and a fresh story for longtime fans. Here’s why prior viewing is not required:
- A Standalone Story: The plot is adapted from a series of three published novellas that form their own complete narrative arc about Dunk and Egg’s early adventures. No knowledge of Daenerys Targaryen, Jon Snow, or the War of the Five Kings is needed to understand their journey.
- A New Timeline: Set a century earlier, the show features an almost entirely new cast of characters in a different political landscape. The Targaryens rule, but from a different generation of kings and princes.
- A Different Tone: Martin himself has noted the series will be “much shorter” than its predecessors “with a much different tone”. Early trailers suggest a blend of adventure and humor, offering a break from the intense drama of the other series.
For fans of the original series, the show will offer clever connections and “Easter eggs.” For instance, Ser Duncan the Tall is a known ancestor of Brienne of Tarth, and Egg grows up to become King Aegon V, whose older brother is Maester Aemon of the Night’s Watch. These links are bonuses for dedicated fans but are not essential to the plot of this series.
Cast and Creative Team Behind the Prequel
The series is led by two rising stars. Peter Claffey, a former professional rugby player turned actor, takes on the role of the kind-hearted and towering Ser Duncan the Tall. Playing his sharp-witted squire Egg is Dexter Sol Ansell, best known for his role as a young Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
They are joined by a ensemble cast portraying members of the Targaryen family and other noble houses of Westeros:
- Finn Bennett (True Detective: Night Country) as the cruel Prince Aerion “Brightflame” Targaryen.
- Bertie Carvel (The Crown) as the noble Prince Baelor “Breakspear” Targaryen, the Hand of the King.
- Sam Spruell (Fargo) as Prince Maekar Targaryen, father to Egg and Aerion.
- Daniel Ings as the charismatic Ser Lyonel Baratheon, known as “the Laughing Storm”.
- Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle, a Dornish puppeteer who becomes a key figure in Dunk’s story.
The show is a hands-on project for George R. R. Martin, who serves as a creator, writer, and executive producer. He is joined by co-creator and showrunner Ira Parker, a writer from the first season of House of the Dragon, and Ryan Condal, the showrunner of House of the Dragon, who also serves as an executive producer.
Martin has already seen the completed first season and expressed strong approval.
“I’ve seen all six episodes now… and I loved them,” Martin wrote on his blog. “Dunk and Egg have always been favorites of mine, and the actors we found to portray them are just incredible.”
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Release Schedule and Where to Watch
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will debut with a six-episode season, a shorter run than the ten-episode first season of House of the Dragon. The first episode premieres on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, with new episodes released weekly.
- In the United States, the series will be available on HBO and stream simultaneously on Max (formerly HBO Max).
- In the United Kingdom, the show is expected to air on Sky Atlantic and stream on NOW, following the pattern of previous HBO series.
- In Australia, it will likely be available for streaming on BINGE, which carries other HBO and Game of Thrones content.
The show has already been renewed for a second season, which is planned to adapt the second Dunk & Egg novella, The Sworn Sword. Production on Season 2 is scheduled to begin in late 2025.
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