The first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms just ended, but it went out with a bang. The finale pulled in huge numbers, proving that fans love the adventures of Dunk and Egg. Now, everyone wants to know when Season 2 is coming. HBO already has big plans, and the show will return in 2027 .
If you haven’t watched it yet, the show is set about 100 years before Game of Thrones. It follows Ser Duncan the Tall, a kind and humble hedge knight, and his smart young squire, Egg . Their friendship is the heart of the series. The first season was a slow burn compared to the big dragons and battles of the other shows, but it worked. Viewers loved the smaller, more personal story.
Season 1 Finale Broke Records
The numbers for the Season 1 finale, which aired on February 22, 2026, are impressive . HBO reported that 9.5 million people in the U.S. watched the last episode across HBO and Max within the first three days . That is a massive jump of 42% from the series premiere, which started with 6.7 million viewers .
This growth shows that word of mouth was strong. People kept tuning in every week. Overall, the first season is averaging about 14 million viewers in the U.S. and 26 million globally . It is now the third-biggest debut season for a series on HBO Max, beaten only by House of the Dragon and The Last of Us .
When Is Season 2 Coming?
HBO renewed the show for a second season way back in November 2025, even before the first episode aired . That shows how much confidence the network has in this series.
The bad news is that we have to wait a little while. HBO has officially targeted a 2027 return for Season 2 . Like the first season, it will have six episodes . The runtimes will likely stay flexible, ranging from 30 to 60 minutes per episode .
What Will Season 2 Be About?
The first season adapted the first Dunk and Egg novella by George R.R. Martin, called The Hedge Knight*. Season 2 will move on to the next story . According to reports and the show’s creators, it will follow the second book, The Sworn Sword .
Without giving too much away, the story will take Dunk and Egg to new parts of Westeros. They will get caught up in the conflict between two rival houses during a long, hot summer. It is a more personal story about loyalty and honor, staying true to the show’s style.
The showrunner, Ira Parker, and George R.R. Martin himself are keeping the story close to the books . Fans of the novellas know that Dunk and Egg have many travels ahead of them.
Cast News: Who Is In and Who Is Out?
The main duo is safe. Peter Claffey will be back as the gentle giant Ser Duncan the Tall, and Dexter Sol Ansell will return as his clever squire, Egg .
However, one major character will not be coming back. Actor Sam Spruell, who played Prince Maekar Targaryen (Egg’s father), confirmed in an interview that he will not be in the second season .
“I’m not going to be in season two,” Spruell said, though he left the door open for the future, adding, “Never say never, but I’m pretty sure that there will be other stories to tell” .
Since the show moves to a new story with The Sworn Sword, it makes sense that some characters from the first season won’t appear. The focus will shift to new locations and new faces. Other key cast members like Daniel Ings (Lyonel Baratheon), Bertie Carvel (Baelor Targaryen), and Finn Bennett (Aerion Targaryen) may or may not return, depending on the plot . HBO has not released the full cast list for Season 2 yet.
A Different Kind of Fantasy Story
One reason the show is doing so well is that it feels different from its predecessors. There are no huge armies marching or dragon battles. It is a character drama.
The creators wanted to focus on the friendship between Dunk and Egg. The first season had a light, almost whimsical tone at times, mixed with the usual Westeros danger. Showrunner Ira Parker described it as having a “western spirit” . It is about a knight wandering from town to town, trying to do the right thing.
This change of pace is bringing in viewers who maybe found House of the Dragon too heavy. It is also bringing in hardcore fans who have loved the Dunk and Egg stories for years.
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Where Does It Fit in the Timeline?
For those keeping track, the show is set 72 years after the events of House of the Dragon and about 89 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones . The Targaryens still rule the Iron Throne, but the dragons are gone .
There is also a cool connection to Game of Thrones for eagle-eyed fans. George R.R. Martin confirmed years ago that Ser Duncan the Tall is actually an ancestor of Brienne of Tarth . It is a small detail, but it ties the whole universe together nicely.
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